RED SQUIRREL
Tamiasciurus hudsonicus
External links
Table Of Contents
- Description
- Behavior
- Reproduction and Life History
- Morphology
- Trophic Strategy
- Ecology and Distribution
- Distribution
- Habitat
- Associations
- Conservation
- Relevance
- Uses
- Biodiversity Heritage Library
- References and More Information
- Literature References
- Specialist Projects
- Common Names
Behavior
Eric J. Ellis, Tanya Dewey
Some rights reserved
Red squirrels are solitary, diurnal animals that are active throughout the year. Their peak activity times are at dawn and in the late afternoon. They den in old woodpecker holes, tree hollows, or any other small crevice near their home range. In the northern part of their range, red squirrels often spend the winter in a system of underground tunnels. Red squirrels often migrate if their local food supply runs low. During these migrations they will often cross water and are good swimmers. (Ruff and Wilson, 1999)
Home Range
Home ranges are usually 1 to 2.4 hectares in area. (Ruff and Wilson, 1999)
Communication and Perception
Eric J. Ellis, Tanya Dewey
Some rights reserved
Red squirrels have keen senses of smell, sight, and hearing. They are very vocal and loudly scold intruders in their home range. Vocalizations consist of rattles, screeches, growls, buzzes, and chirps. (Ruff and Wilson, 1999)