Striped squirrel. Striped ground squirrel. Squirrel in winter. How a squirrel prepares for winter
Caucasian squirrel
It has a great resemblance to the common squirrel. The only difference between them is short ears without tassels at the tips, which the first species has. If we compare their fur, then the Caucasian squirrel’s fur coat is shorter and coarser, making the body of this animal seem more slender.
The size of the Caucasian squirrel does not exceed 26 centimeters, and the length of the tail is between 17-19 centimeters.
This type of squirrel has a stable fur color that does not change either in summer or in winter. winter time. The back of the animal is brownish-gray, and the belly of the Caucasian squirrel is yellowish-orange. The front of her head up to eye level is reddish-brown or reddish in color, but the back of her head is several tones darker.
The sides of this squirrel's face, as well as the sides of the neck and cheeks, have a light reddish tint. The Caucasian squirrel's throat is different in color from its neck; it is lighter. The tail of the animal is dark red on the sides and top, but the bottom and middle part of the tail is yellowish-gray. The tip of the tail is decorated long hair blackish-brown in color.
Lives this type squirrels in the forest zones of Transcaucasia. The same subspecies and those close to it are found in Syria, Asia Minor and some regions of Iran.
For living, she prefers beech forests and tries to avoid coniferous plantations. Just like an ordinary squirrel, the Caucasian squirrel leads a diurnal lifestyle. This is a fairly lively animal that is capable of moving along tree trunks or jumping from branch to branch throughout the day.
The diet of this animal consists of nuts, seeds and seeds of various bush and tree fruits, but beech nuts became the basis of the Caucasian squirrel's diet. Fleshy fruits, such as ripe apricots and many others of this type, are not attractive to the squirrel; tearing off the pulp, the animal deftly extracts only the contents of the pit. In addition, the Caucasian squirrel can feast on chicks and bird eggs, as well as insects.
The Caucasian squirrel, like many other species, makes provisions for the winter. She stocks up on nuts and seeds. This animal does not build external nests, but prefers to be content with the hollows of deciduous trees (chestnut, Walnut, linden, elm, maple, etc.).
Caucasian squirrels live in pairs. Mating of these animals occurs at the end last month winter and early spring. In the month of April, the female already bears offspring in the amount of 3-7 cubs
Baby squirrel (lat. Sciurillus pusillus)
It is a South American species of squirrel, the only representative of the genus Sciurillus, the squirrel family.
Description.
The baby squirrel is the smallest species of squirrel, its body length including head is only 10 cm, and its tail reaches 11 cm in length. An adult weighs from 30 to 50 g. The coat has a grayish-gray color throughout the body; on the belly the color is paler, but not contrasting. The head is slightly reddish, with distinct white markings behind the ears, which are more rounded in shape than most other members of the squirrel family. The limbs are sharp, the front ones are longer, which allows them to climb tree trunks more dexterously.
Distribution and habitat.
The baby squirrel lives in at least four remote regions located in the northern part of South America, French Guiana, Surenama, central Brazil, northern Peru, southern Colombia. In these regions, they colonized lowland tropical forests.
Behavior.
Little squirrels are diurnal and spend the day in the forest canopy, usually about 9 m above the ground. They make nests in abandoned wood termite nests. They feed on tree bark, mainly from the genus Parkia, nuts and fruits. Their population density is low, not exceeding three individuals per square kilometer, although groups including more than one adult and juveniles have been noted in areas with local concentrations of food.
Baby squirrels move quite quickly through trees, and are very careful; in case of danger, they sound an alarm. Their flight includes one or two young squirrels; they are born in June.
Two-color squirrel (lat. Ratufa bicolor)
Is a representative of the genus giant squirrels The squirrel family lives in the forests of Northern Bangladesh, Eastern Nepal, Bhutan, Southern China, Myanmar, Laos, Thailand, Malaysia, Cambodia, Vietnam and Western Indonesia.
Description.
The length of the body and head ranges from 35 to 58 cm, and the tail reaches 60 cm in length. The upper part of the head, ears, back and tail are dark brown to black in color, while the lower part of the body is dark yellowish.
Spreading.
The bicolor squirrel lives in a variety of bioregions, which allows representatives of this species to be found in different forests. It is found at altitudes up to 1400 m above sea level, in rather inaccessible areas. However, in recent decades, the habitat of the two-colored squirrel has been steadily developed by humans, timber harvesting and agriculture, and also under the influence of hunting, the population of this species has decreased by 30% over the past ten years. It is worth noting that in some places this species is protected by laws prohibiting hunting.
In South Asia, bicolor squirrels live in tropical and subtropical conifers and widely deciduous forests. In Southeast Asia they live in tropical broadleaf evergreen forests, and are rarely found in coniferous forests. In the tropical forests of the Malay Peninsula and Indonesia, the bicolor squirrel population is not as large as in other regions. This is partly due to quite a lot of competition with other species of arboreal animals (especially primates) for food.
Behavior.
The bicolor squirrel is diurnal and lives in trees, but sometimes comes down to the ground in search of food. It rarely enters agricultural plantations or human settlements, preferring the wild forest.
The diet of the bicolor squirrel consists of seeds, pine trees, fruits and leaves. They lead a solitary lifestyle, and have a litter of 1 to 2 young squirrels, which are born in a hollow or nest, often located inside a hollow space in a tree.
Common squirrel
Belongs to the squirrel family, the order of rodents and the genus of squirrels. This species of squirrel belongs to the forest inhabitants; they are perfectly adapted to life in trees in zones with cold and temperate climates.
The body length of the common squirrel ranges from 16 to 28 centimeters, and its weight is no more than one kilogram. The tail of the common squirrel can be called the main attraction - it is unusually light, long and wide. The length of the tail does not exceed thirty centimeters and is almost equal to the body of the squirrel. With the help of its tail, the squirrel is capable of performing incredible jumps that can reach up to 15 meters (from top to bottom diagonally or from tree to tree).
The coat color of this type of squirrel depends entirely on its geographical habitat, as well as the season of the year. In summer and winter, the belly of the common squirrel is white, and in autumn and spring it begins to molt.
Common squirrels feed on pine nuts and cone seeds. In addition, squirrels love to feast on various mushrooms and berries, fruits and flower buds. They will not refuse beetles, butterflies and various insects that land on a tree near their home. They may visit bird nests, eat chicks or drink eggs.
In winter, squirrels do not have problems with food, because in addition to their own reserves, they are able to find food even deep under the snow, since they have an excellent sense of smell.
The character of the common squirrel is quite cocky; it can easily win a place for itself, for example, take over a magpie’s nest. A real find for squirrels there are old crows' nests. She will just make small changes to them, add a roof and be able to live in peace. If such an opportunity does not present itself, then the squirrel can independently weave itself an excellent house from twigs in a tree trunk at a height of 5 to 14 meters.
During the cold period, squirrels prefer to hide in hollows that have been hollowed out by woodpeckers.
The common squirrel is familiar to everyone, and when it meets a human squirrel, it can “clack” for a long time and indignantly, but not in winter, because it senses the beginning of the hunting season. During this period of time, she hides among the pine needles and can be seen very rarely.
In summer, the common squirrel is usually red, less often brown or completely black (some areas of Siberia). In winter, the squirrel changes its coat to a lighter one (brown with a grayish-silver tint).
Western gray squirrel (lat. Sciurus griseus)
It is a representative of the genus of squirrels, the squirrel family, living along the west coast of the United States and Canada. In some places this species is also known as the silver-gray squirrel.
Description.
Western gray squirrels are shy, tend to hide in trees, and alert their brethren to danger by making raucous sounds. The weight of an adult varies from 0.4 to 1 kg, and the length including tail from 45 to 60 cm. They are the largest representatives of the squirrel genus in the western United States. The fur on the back is silver-gray, and on the belly white. There may be black spots on the tail. The ears are large, but without tufts. In winter, the back of the ears takes on a reddish-brown hue. The tail is long and fluffy. Western gray squirrels molt completely in the spring, and in the fall the fur does not renew only on the tail.
Behavior and diet.
The western gray squirrel is a forest dweller. They mainly prefer to move through trees, although they periodically descend to the ground to search for food. They are diurnal and feed mainly on seeds and nuts, but their diet also includes berries, mushrooms and insects. Pine nuts and acorns play a big role in their nutrition, as they are rich in oils and contain moderate amount carbohydrates, which allows fat reserves. As a rule, they feed in the morning and late afternoon. During periods when food is plentiful, western gray squirrels make many food caches. In the winter season, squirrels are less active, but still do not hibernate. The western gray squirrel is threatened by predators such as bobcats, hawks, eagles, mountain lions, coyotes, cats, and humans.
Western gray squirrels construct their nests in trees using sticks and leaves wrapped in long, straight grass. These nests come in two types. The first, large, round, covered nests, intended for wintering, birth and raising of young animals. The second is intended for seasonal or temporary use; they are simpler and not so spacious. The nest size varies from 43 to 91 cm in diameter and is usually located in the upper third of the tree. Young or traveling squirrels sleep on tree branches, weather permitting.
Indian giant squirrel (lat. Ratufa indica)
It is a large tree squirrel from the genus of giant squirrels of the squirrel family, native to India.
Description.
The Indian giant squirrel has two colors. The upper body is dark brown and the belly and front legs are beige, tan or cream, the head may be brown or beige and there is a distinctive white patch between the ears. The length of the body together with the head of an adult reaches 36 cm, the length of the tail is about 60 cm, and the weight is about 2 kg.
Behavior.
Indian giant squirrel most spends time in the trees, rarely descending to the ground. To improve their nests, they require abundantly branched wood. Moving from tree to tree, they jump over a distance of up to 6 m. When danger arises, the Indian giant squirrel often prefers to hide, clinging to a tree trunk, rather than fleeing. They represent the main threat of the day predator birds and leopards. Indian giant squirrels are mainly active during the hours of dawn and dusk, resting during the day. They are shy, wary animals that can be quite difficult to spot. Indian giant squirrels live alone or in pairs. They build large, ball-shaped nests from twigs and leaves, placing them on thin branches where large predators can't get them. These nests become visible in deciduous forests after leaf fall.
Spreading.
This species is endemic to deciduous, mixed broadleaf and moist evergreen forests of the Indian subcontinent. Indian giant squirrels live in separate territories that are far from each other, thereby creating favorable conditions for speciation. Proteins found on each separate territory, have their own distinctive coloring, which makes it easy to determine in which area a given squirrel lives.
Cape ground squirrel (lat. Xerus inauris)
It is one of the representatives of the genus of African ground squirrels of the squirrel family. They live in southern Africa in South Africa, Botswana and Namibia.
Description.
The Kama ground squirrel has black skin covered with short, stiff hair without undercoat. The fur on the back is brown, and on the face, underbelly, neck and ventral side of the limbs it is white. White stripes stretched along the sides from shoulder to hip. The eyes are quite large and have white lines around them. The tail is flat, covered with mixed white and black hair. Males are usually 8-12% heavier than females. Males weigh from 420 to 650 grams, and females from 400 to 600. The total length varies from 42 to 48 cm. Molting occurs from August to September and from March to April.
Distribution.
Cape ground squirrels are common in southern Africa: South Africa, Botswana and Namibia. They are found throughout most of Namibia, but are not found in coastal areas and the north-west. In Botswana they are found in the central and southwestern parts of the Kalahari. In South Africa, Cape ground squirrels are common in the central and northern regions.
Lifestyle.
Cape ground squirrels primarily live in arid or semi-arid areas. They prefer to live on the Weld plateau and grasslands with hard ground. Cape ground squirrels are generally active during the day and do not hibernate. They live in burrows that occupy an average of about 700 square meters. m, and can have up to 100 inputs. Burrows serve as shelter from the scorching sun and predators. However, they spend most of the day on the surface in search of food.
Cape ground squirrels feed on bulbs, fruits, grasses, insects and shrubs. They do not store food, since food can be found throughout the year. Cape ground squirrels do not have an urgent need for a source of water, since they only need the water contained in their food.
Carolina squirrel (lat. Sciurus carolinensis) or gray squirrel
It is a representative of the genus squirrel, the squirrel family.
Description.
The Carolina squirrel has mostly gray fur, but it can have a brownish tint, and the fur on the belly is white. The tail is large and fluffy. In places where the danger from predators is not great, you can often find Carolina squirrels almost completely black in color. They are most common in southeastern Canada.
An adult Carolina squirrel has a body length with head from 23 to 30 cm, tail length from 19 to 25 cm, weight ranges from 0.4 to 0.6 kg. Like all squirrels, the Carolina squirrel has four toes on its front feet and five on its back feet.
Distribution.
The Carolina squirrel lives in the eastern and midwestern United States, as well as southeastern Canada. Its habitat overlaps with that of the fox squirrel; quite often these two species are confused. The Carolina squirrel's fecundity and adaptability have allowed it to colonize areas of the western United States. They were also introduced into Great Britain, where they spread throughout the territory.
The Carolina squirrel feeds on a range of foods, such as tree bark, buds, berries, seeds and acorns, walnuts and other nuts, as well as some types of mushrooms that grow in forests, including fly agarics. They are cold towards all types of feeders filled with seeds of millet, corn, sunflower, etc. In very rare cases, when the main food is not enough, Carolina squirrels will hunt insects, frogs, small rodents, including other squirrels, small birds, and also eat eggs and chicks.
Red squirrel (lat. Tamiasciurus hudsonicus)
It is one of the representatives of tree squirrels belonging to the genus of red squirrels of the squirrel family. They are often called pine squirrels.
Description.
Red squirrels are easily recognizable from other North American tree squirrels by the following signs: small size, territorial behavior, reddish fur on the back and white on the belly. The Douglas squirrel is morphologically similar to the red squirrel, but its belly fur is reddish in color and the distribution ranges of the two species do not overlap.
Spreading.
Red squirrels are widespread throughout almost all North America. They live in Canada and the United States located east of the Rocky Mountains. The population of red squirrels is large enough and does not cause concern about the safety of the species in any area. However, an isolated population of red squirrels in Arizona is experiencing a significant decline in population size.
Red squirrels are primarily seed eaters, but can include other foods in their diet if necessary. Observations of red squirrels suggest that white spruce seeds make up more than 50% of the diet, with the remainder of the diet including spruce buds and needles, mushrooms, willow buds, poplar catkins, bearberry flowers and berries, as well as bird eggs and even the young of other small rodents . White fir cones ripen at the end of July, and in August and September red squirrels stock up on them for the winter and spring period reproduction. Red squirrels also store various types of mushrooms, including those that are fatal to humans, by hanging them on tree branches and drying them in the sun.
Cream squirrel (lat. Ratufa affinis)
It is a representative of the genus of giant squirrels of the squirrel family, living in Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia and Thailand. The species is likely extinct in Singapore as recent sightings have not recorded cream squirrels in their natural habitat. Also, the presence of this species in Vietnam is considered doubtful.
Description.
The large size and colorful coloring of the cream squirrel makes this species quite conspicuous in wildlife. The color of the back and head varies from dark brown to gray, and the belly from dark yellow to white. The ears are short and large. The head and body of an adult specimen reach a length of 32-35 cm, the tail is 37-44 cm, and the weight ranges from 0.9 to 1.5 kg.
Habitat.
This species is the only member of the giant squirrel genus in Borneo (in other regions the species shares habitat with the bicolored squirrel). This is one of the mammal species that lives in the vast forested part of the Belum-Temengor Nature Reserve, located on the Malay Peninsula.
The cream squirrel lives in low-mountain and secondary forests. They rarely visit agricultural plantations and settlements, preferring wild forest. Although this species spends most of its time in the upper canopy of the forest, it occasionally descends to the ground to hunt smaller rodents or to move to an adjacent tree stand.
Behavior.
The cream squirrel is most active in the morning and evening. They live in pairs or alone. In moments of anxiety, they make a loud sound that can be heard from afar.
Although cream squirrels often make a hollow in a tree for shelter during the breeding season, they still primarily live in large spherical nests nested in the branches of trees.
Their diet mainly consists of seeds, leaves, fruits, nuts, bark, insects and eggs. Proteins have a very short thumb, which he holds and controls his food while feeding.
Common flying squirrel
This is a small rodent that belongs to the squirrel family and is the only representative of the flying squirrel subfamily. This animal lives in Russia.
The common flying squirrel has a body length of no more than 20 centimeters, and the tail of this animal does not exceed 18 cm. This animal differs from squirrels in that it has lateral skin folds between the hind and front legs, as well as the color of the fur - as a rule, flying squirrels are gray in color. The back of these animals ranges from gray-yellow to light gray, and the tail is gray in most cases. These animals are characterized by small ears without tufts and large black eyes.
The common flying squirrel is found in the coniferous forests of Eurasia from Mongolia to Finland. It is worth noting that this animal easily takes root in forests various types, but most often lives where there are birch, pine and larches.
The flying squirrel is active at night and at dusk. When choosing housing for itself, the animal looks closely at the hollows of old trees and chooses the appropriate option for itself. It leads an arboreal lifestyle and does not hibernate.
The common flying squirrel is quite agile and jumping (the jump can reach a length of up to 50 m). It is worth noting that this animal is capable of changing the direction of its flight while jumping.
In food, this animal gives preference to plant foods - buds, catkins of aspen, willow, birch, and also eats leaves. The flying squirrel will not refuse berries, especially red currants, rowan berries, and loves pine nuts and mushrooms. In rare cases, it eats chicks and eggs, insects and even birds.
This animal does not apply special effort when building its own nest, it does not build a solid frame, but only forms a “house” of moss and lichen. As mentioned earlier, this animal can settle in a hollow and form a spherical soft nest there. Bird feathers are often used as construction material. The flying squirrel can also settle in the nests of common squirrels.
At the end of February - beginning of March, this animal begins its rut. During this time period, flying squirrels descend onto snowy areas and trample down entire paths. According to many sources, the flying squirrel has one litter in one year, while others claim that the animal can give birth to up to four cubs twice a year.
Fox squirrel (lat. Sciurus niger)
This is the most close-up view the squirrel family living in North America. Despite their differences in size and color, they are often confused with the red or eastern gray squirrel in areas where they live nearby.
Description.
The total body length of the fox squirrel varies from 45 to 70 cm, the tail length from 20 to 35 cm, and the weight varies from 500 to 1000 grams. They have no sexual dimorphism in size or appearance. In the west, representatives of fox squirrels are, as a rule, smaller than their relatives living in other areas. There are three varieties of color depending on the geographical habitat. In most areas, the fox squirrel has the following colors: top part the body varies from brownish-gray to brownish-yellow in color with a typically brownish-orange belly. In eastern regions such as the Appalachians, the fox squirrel is dark brown and black in color with white stripes on the face and tail. In the south live fox squirrels with a completely black color. For more dexterous movement through trees, they have sharp claws, and they also have well-developed muscles in the forearms and abdomen. They have well-developed vision, hearing and smell.
Distribution.
The natural range of the fox squirrel occupies the eastern United States, southern Canada, as well as central US states such as the Dakotas, Colorado, and Texas. Fox squirrels are quite versatile in their choice of habitat, and they are most often found in forest areas of about 40 hectares. They prefer forests dominated by trees such as oak, hickory, walnut and pine, the fruits of which are suitable for consumption even in winter.
The diet of fox squirrels depends quite strongly on their geographic location. In general, their diet includes foods such as tree buds, various nuts, acorns, insects, tubers, roots, bulbs, bird eggs, pine seeds and fruit trees, mushrooms, as well as agricultural crops such as corn, soybeans, oats, wheat, and various fruits.
Maghreb squirrel (lat. Atlantoxerus getulus)
It is the only representative of the Magrube squirrel genus of the squirrel family. It is endemic to the western part of the Sahara, Algeria and Morocco, and was also introduced to the Canary Islands. The natural habitat of the Maghreb squirrel is subtropical and tropical dry bushes, temperate grasslands and rocky areas, where they live in colonies in burrows. This species was first described by Linnaeus in 1758.
Description.
The Maghreb squirrel is a small species, with a body length ranging from 16 to 22 cm with a bushy tail that is approximately as long as the body. Weight reaches 350 grams. The body is covered with short, coarse hair. The general color is grayish-brown or reddish-brown. Several white stripes stretched along the back along the body. The belly is lighter in color and the tail has mixed long black and gray hair.
Distribution.
The Maghreb squirrel lives along the coast of Western Sahara, Morocco and Algeria from the coast to the Atlas Mountains, and was also introduced to Fuerteventura in the Canary Islands in 1965. This is the only representative of the squirrel family living in Africa north of the Sahara. They live in arid rocky areas, as well as in mountainous areas at altitudes up to 4000 m.
Lifestyle.
Maghreb squirrels form colonies and live in family groups in burrows in dry grasslands, farmland and rocky areas. They require an accessible source of water, but have not been seen in irrigated fields. The feeding period, as a rule, occurs early in the morning and in the evening, and during the hot day they hide in minks.
Maghreb squirrel consists of plant foods, which are dominated by the fruits and seeds of the argan tree. If a colony experiences a lack of food, it may migrate. Maghreb squirrels breed twice a year, giving birth to up to four young.
Mexican prairie dog (lat. Cynomys mexicanus)
It is a diurnal burrowing rodent of the squirrel family native to Mexico. Due to pest control efforts, the Mexican prairie dog population has declined dramatically and has reached a critically endangered level. They have a lot in common with squirrels, chipmunks and marmots.
Description.
Mexican prairie dogs in mature age weigh about 1 kg and have a body length of 14 to 17 cm, with males larger than females. They are yellowish in color, with dark ears and a lighter belly.
Habitat and diet.
Mexican prairie dogs prefer the rocky soil of the plains at altitudes of 1600-2200 meters above sea level. They live in the southern part of the state of Coahuila and the northern part of the state of San Luis Potosi. The diet of Mexican prairie dogs mainly consists of grasses that grow on the plains where they live. Their diet also includes insects and, quite rarely, can eat each other. Predators that pose a threat to Mexican prairie dogs include weasels, badgers, snakes, bobcats, coyotes, eagles and hawks.
Life cycle.
In Mexican prairie dogs mating season occurs between January and April. After a pregnancy lasting about a month, the female has an average of 4 cubs. Females bear one litter per year. Cubs are born blind and move by touch for 40 days until their eyes open. Weaning occurs between late May and June, when the young of the year can leave the burrow. Puppies leave their mothers in early autumn. They reach sexual maturity at the age of one year. The life expectancy of Mexican prairie dogs reaches 3-5 years.
Palm squirrel (Funambulus palmarum)
It is one of the species of rodents of the squirrel family, living in India and Sri Lanka. IN late XIX century, the palm squirrel was introduced to Western Australia, where the population reached agriculturally threatening levels due to the lack of natural predators.
Description.
The palm squirrel is about the same size as a large chipmunk, with a bushy tail that is slightly shorter than its body. The back color is gray or gray-brown with three white stripes that stretch from the head to the tail. Her belly and tail are creamy white. The tail also has long hairs mixed with black and white. The ears are small and triangular in shape. Young squirrels are much lighter in color, which becomes darker over time.
Diet and behavior.
The palm squirrel mainly feeds on nuts and fruits. They feel quite good in an urban environment, are easily tamed and can be trained. Palm squirrels are quite active in protecting their food sources from birds and other squirrel species. They are especially active during the mating season.
Reproduction.
The mating season takes place during autumn. The gestation period is about 34 days. The offspring are born in nests made of grass. A litter consists of two or three cubs. For 10 weeks, the female breastfeeds her offspring, and at the age of 9 months they reach sexual maturity
Black-tailed prairie dog
It is a representative of the squirrel family and belongs to the genus of prairie dogs.
to his appearance The prairie dog is similar to yellow or large ground squirrels, which were also previously classified in this genus.
The body of this animal is quite massive with short legs. The tail of the prairie dog is covered with short hair and differs from the rest in its color, which is why it got its name. The color of the fur on the sides and back is pale brown, although quite often they are also found with a rich brown color. The underside of the animal is lighter. Young black-tailed prairie dogs have a lighter color than adult animals.
Weight prairie dog reaches 1.3 kilograms, but females weigh much less than males.
You can meet this animal from southern Arizona to the states of North Dakota and Montana, as well as in Texas and New Mexico.
The animals, as a rule, settle in short-grass prairies and their settlements are not at all difficult to notice, since rather high mounds (height - 60 cm) catch the eye.
During the autumn period, prairie dogs gain a lot of weight, and there is an assumption that they hibernate in winter, but at the same time, in warm weather. winter time their activity can often be seen on the surface.
A curious fact that was noticed by researchers. Prairie dogs, in the amount of 32 pieces, can eat the daily ration of a sheep, and 256 pieces of such animals will feed the daily ration of a cow.
Black-tailed prairie dogs mate between February and April and their pregnancy lasts no more than 33 days (but not less than 27). Old females give birth to from 2 to 10 cubs, but young females in the first litter can bring only 2-3.
The cubs are born blind and without hair, but after 26 days, the skin of the animals begins to become covered with hair. Black-tailed prairie dog cubs open their eyes only on the 33rd - 37th day, during the same period they already begin to “bark”. When the cubs reach six weeks of age, they are able to consume green food, but at the same time they do not refuse to eat milk.
The diet of these animals is based on a variety of herbaceous plants, and in rare cases, insects.
Northern flying squirrel (lat. Glaucomys sabrinus)
Is one of two representatives of the genus American flying squirrels, squirrel family. Northern and southern flying squirrels are the only flying squirrels found in North America.
Description.
The northern flying squirrel is a nocturnal, arboreal rodent with thick light brown fur on its back, grayish on its sides and whitish on its belly. They have large eyes and a flat tail. They have long whiskers, which are characteristic of nocturnal mammals. An adult northern flying squirrel measures between 25 and 37 cm in length and weighs between 110 and 230 g.
Northern flying squirrels have a patagium, which is a membrane between the limbs and body, thanks to which they can glide from tree to tree. They can begin their planning either with a running start or from a stationary position by grouping and making a jump. After a jump, they open up, spreading their limbs in an "X" shape, allowing them to unfold their membranes and glide at an angle of 30 to 40 degrees. They maneuver quite well among obstacles that appear in their path. When landing, they use their flat tail to sharply change their body position and stretch their limbs forward, thereby creating the effect of a parachute, which allows them to soften the landing. Glide distances typically range from 5 to 25 meters, although observations have recorded gliding distances of up to 45 meters. On average, the gliding distance of females is 5 meters less than that of males.
Spreading.
Northern flying squirrels live in coniferous and mixed forests throughout upper North America, from Alaska to Nova Scotia, south to the mountains of North Carolina and west to California.
The main source of food for northern flying squirrels is mushrooms (truffles) of various types, although they also feed on lichens, seeds and tree sap, insects, carrion, bird eggs and their chicks, buds and flowers. Northern flying squirrels find truffles thanks to a good sense of smell, as well as a good memory, remembering the places in which mushrooms have already been found. Northern flying squirrels, like other squirrels, stock up on food for the winter; they make hiding places in tree cavities, as well as in their nest.
Behavior.
Northern flying squirrels usually nest in tree hollows, preferring trunks large diameter and dead trees, although they can also make nests among tree branches from dry branches and leaves. In winter, northern flying squirrels often form joint nests, in which from 4 to 10 individuals can live. This kind of association allows them to warm each other during especially cold periods of winter.
Southern flying squirrel (lat. Glaucomys volans)
It is one of two representatives of the genus of American flying squirrels, the squirrel family. Southern and northern flying squirrels are the only flying squirrels found in North America.
Description.
Southern flying squirrels have gray-brown fur on their backs with darker shades on their sides and cream on their bellies and chests. They have big ones dark eyes and a flat tail. Between the body and the front and hind legs is a fur-covered membrane called the patagium, which allows southern flying squirrels to glide.
Spreading.
Southern flying squirrels live in deciduous and mixed forests of eastern North America, from southeastern Canada to Florida, USA. Isolated populations of southern flying squirrels are also found in Mexico, Guatemala and Honduras.
The most preferred habitat for southern flying squirrels is forests dominated by hickory, beech and oak trees, as well as maple and poplar trees. Their habitat depends on the abundance of food, and can vary from 2.5 to 16 hectares for males and from 2 to 7 hectares for females.
Southern flying squirrels feed on fruits and nuts from trees such as red and white oak, hickory, beech, etc. They stock up on food for the winter, a significant portion of these stocks being acorns. Their diet also includes insects, buds, mushrooms, mycorrhizae, carrion, bird eggs and chicks. Predators that pose a danger to southern flying squirrels are snakes, owls, hawks, raccoons, etc.
Reproduction.
Southern flying squirrels can produce offspring twice a year (from 2 to 7 young per litter). The gestation period is about 40 days. The young are born completely naked and helpless. Their ears open on days 2-6, and fur begins to grow on day 7. Their eyes open only on days 24-30. Parents begin to leave their cubs unattended at 65 days, and at the age of 120 days they become completely independent.
Japanese flying squirrel (lat. Pteromys momonga)
It is one of the representatives of the genus of Eurasian flying squirrels of the squirrel family.
Description. The body length of an adult representative of Japanese flying squirrels varies from 14 to 20 cm, and the length of the tail is from 10 to 14 cm, weighs from 150 to 220 g. Its back is covered with gray-chestnut hair, and its belly is white. He has large eyes and a flat tail.
Spreading.
The Japanese flying squirrel lives in the subalpine forests of Japan.
Lifestyle.
This view leads night look life, and during the day he hides in holes in the trees. Japanese flying squirrels, like other species of flying squirrels, can glide from tree to tree thanks to a membrane called the patagium. They make their nests in the cavities of tree trunks, with greater preference given to coniferous trees rather than deciduous trees.
Nutrition.
Japanese flying squirrels feed on seeds, fruits, leaves, buds and tree bark. In order to get to food growing on a thin branch, Japanese flying squirrels stretch along it and slowly crawl towards their cherished goal. This allows them to distribute the weight so the branch doesn't bend. Having reached the food, they pick it off with their front paws and return to the thicker part of the branch.
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The striped ground squirrel (Xerus erythropus), also known as Geoffroy's or Geoffrey's squirrel, lives in the dry African shrouds of eastern and southwestern Sudan, Kenya, Morocco, Senegal, Ethiopia, Uganda and Mauritania. These large and beautiful rodents prefer deserts, semi-deserts and woodlands. The fur of this species of African squirrel is striped-gray, with a characteristic white stripe on the ribs, and only the paws orange color. The tail is long, not fluffy. The fur of these African squirrels is coarse, which sets this species apart from others, and often takes on a hue to match the color of the soil where the animal lives, so that it can vary from brown, reddish-gray to yellowish-gray. There is no fur on the paw pads. A white stripe on both sides of the body extends from the shoulders to the hind legs. The body length is from 20.3 to 46.3 cm, and the tail length is from 18 to 27.4 cm. The tail is somewhat flattened and usually darker than the rest of the body. The ears are small. The claws are long and slightly curved. The striped ground squirrel lives in social colonies consisting of several females, the males prefer to travel between colonies and never remain in one social group for an extended period of time.
Reproduction occurs all year round, but is coordinated among females of one particular social group. Gestation lasts from 64 to 78 days. The number of cubs is from 2 to 6. Only females take care of their offspring. The opposite sex does not spend time on parental care because it is not clear how the young are genetically related to them. Females in social groups dig complex burrows to raise their young. This nesting site is usually lined with soft, dried grasses and has several emergency exits. These holes, as a rule, are deeper than usual, not intended for offspring. Females defend their burrows aggressively. Juveniles reach sexual maturity at approximately one year of age. After gaining independence, young females inherit their mother's territory. Life expectancy in the wild is limited by predation and averages 3 years; in captivity it is twice as long. Their enemies are birds of prey, snakes, and people who deprive animals of their habitats.
Social groups usually consist of 6-10 individuals, with a maximum of 30. In groups, the majority are females and a few males are present if the females are in estrus. A typical day for striped ground squirrels is spent communicating with their neighbors, as well as searching for food products. Squirrels often sit while eating. This allows them to have a good view of the space. Because of this characteristic stance, they are sometimes called striped ground squirrels.
A squirrel's tail is an excellent indicator of their mood. When the squirrel is alert, the tail is held above the back, and the hairs on it stick out straight. In a frightened animal, the tail is parallel to the body. In a state of relaxation, the tail drops, almost drags along the ground. Animals are active during the day. But during extremely hot days, this species is active at dawn and dusk, and hides in burrows during the day to avoid overheating. Ground striped squirrels are territorial animals, but share their burrows with several other burrowing species.
Vocalization, like the tail, is an important form of communication. By squeaking, growling and chirping, ground striped squirrels can express protest, threat, contentment or suffering. This type of squirrel is omnivorous. The diet consists of palm nuts, bananas, papaya, seeds, grains, yams, root vegetables, insects, small vertebrates, amphibians and bird eggs. This species of Geoffroy's squirrel is easy to tame and is often kept in place of domestic cats in South Africa. In some parts of Africa, the land striped squirrel is hunted for its meat. Some local residents consider the bite of this squirrel to be poisonous, in fact it is not so, but cause infectious diseases maybe, since the animal is susceptible to trypanosomes in the blood (the causative agents of African sleeping sickness) and can be a carrier of rabies.
Some people have a cat living at home for years, others are proud that they train a dog, but there are mammals that are rightfully considered an adornment of a park, forest or city apartment. These rodents live in trees and cause delight and admiration among the public, young and old. Did you guess it? Surely, we're talking about about the squirrel, an unusually beautiful and active animal whose behavior you can watch for hours.
Let's find out with you what kind of animal this is - a squirrel, how to care for it, and what varieties of it are known.
Active and nimble fluffy balls cannot stand cramped conditions, and if they have no place to run, they begin to get bored, sad, and may even die. Therefore, they put a wheel in their cage, but animals do not always like such monotonous movements.
Therefore, most owners believe that a cage is not the best house for a squirrel; it needs a spacious enclosure. The enclosure cannot be placed near a window; install it against the opposite wall. The squirrel is an active rodent, so the height of the enclosure must be at least 1 meter. Inside the enclosure, in a large tub, you need to install a tree with a dense crown so that the squirrels can climb the branches. A small box is attached to the far wall of the enclosure; this will be a squirrel’s nest. It should have a removable roof and a manhole. In addition, you can fill the enclosure with shelves and planks.
In addition to the cotton wool, hay or fur you put in the nest, there may be nuts or other hidden food there. Well, even students primary classes It is known that the squirrel likes to make supplies for itself.
Spring and autumn are the molting period for squirrels. Mineral fertilizing (chalk, salt, bone flour) and vitamins at this time must be present in their daily menu. At home, squirrels of any breed are less active than in the wild, so their claws are less worn down and grow back quickly. To prevent the animal from injuring itself or feeling discomfort, the edges of the claws must be trimmed in a timely manner.
Sand is poured onto the plywood floor of the enclosure; it is not changed often; it is enough to do this a couple of times a month. Squirrels are shy, they love to be addressed in a gentle, calm voice; to maintain their calm and comfort, the enclosure is first covered with burlap.
Animals are very attached to humans, especially to those who care for them every day. You can train a squirrel to take food from your hands. But the naughty girl will take it as long as you offer it. Don’t worry, she won’t overeat, and she’s not in danger of becoming obese, she’ll just be cunning and take the excess to a secluded place. Remember that squirrels are forgetful, because it is thanks to this property that new trees appear in the forest. So don't be surprised if you find seeds, grains, mushrooms or nuts in the nooks and crannies of your home.
In the fall, the red fur turns gray, and in the spring everything repeats again. Why is this happening? After observing domestic squirrels, scientists came to the conclusion that with each winter their fur more and more resembles summer fur, which means that the main thing that causes molting is the temperature factor.
Varieties
The genus of squirrels has 54 species. Representatives of each visa have a lot in common, but there are also differences. For example, the body length of the smallest mouse squirrel is only 6-7.5 cm, 5 of which are its tail.
There are Caucasian, crumb, bicolor, Indian giant, Cape ground, Carolina and other types of squirrels. On the territory of Russia you can only find the common squirrel. As you have already learned, there are other breeds in nature, let's look at the most common of them.
The most popular types of domestic squirrels are the common squirrel and the white-striped squirrel. Let's get to know their representatives better.
Common squirrel (veksha) and its subspecies
The tail of a squirrel is unusually beautiful, because its length is almost 31 centimeters, while the length of the body is 20-32 centimeters. Body weight does not exceed one kilogram. The color palette is very wide - from ashen to almost black. The body sheds twice, but the tail only once a year. The winter fur of squirrels living in cold latitudes is thicker than that of those living to the south. In nature, squirrels find a lot of food - these are tree seeds, fruits, berries, nuts, bark, shoots, etc. But animals need not only plant food. Bird eggs, small rodents, lizards, chicks - this is what such harmless-looking furry creatures like to feast on. Arboreal animals can demonstrate true miracles of balancing act, jumping from the top of a tree onto the grass, or deftly jumping from one branch to another. Children especially love to watch squirrels, and how could they not? After all, these curious creatures play tag on the tops of the tallest pines. If an animal jumps from a thirty-meter height, do not be afraid, it will not break, because the body and tail are designed in such a way that it seems as if the animal is descending by parachute.
The common squirrel is the record holder for offspring, giving birth to up to 10 babies. But the gray squirrel never has more than 5. Blind and naked babies only get out of the nest after the sixth week, refusing mother's milk. If babies are left without a mother at home, then a warm shelter is a 50% guarantee that they will survive. A one-year-old baby squirrel is considered an adult.
The Persian mountain squirrel, which lives in Transcaucasia, gives birth three times a year. She lives in walnut and chestnut forests and loves to settle in the hollows of fruit trees.
But the gray squirrel is its direct opposite, it needs deciduous trees. Grey-tailed teleut squirrels used to be much more common. Their winter fur is gray or silver-gray and is extremely beautiful, which is the reason for their destruction.
White-striped squirrel
Her homeland is the West African state of Ghana. On the sides of the body, from head to tail, there seems to be a white stripe drawn, and behind it a dark one. The striped beauty - the squirrel is very shy, therefore, when traveling around African forests, you can hear the squirrels screaming, notifying all the inhabitants of the forest about the danger.
They give birth 3-4 times a year, and each time give birth to 2-3 babies. If you raise such a squirrel at home, there will be no problems with it. The animal finds mutual language with the owner, understands him and gets used to him. It is unlikely that it will occur to her to run away, even if you let her out of the enclosure for a walk.
Unfortunately, barbaric hunting of squirrels for their valuable fur has led to a decline in the numbers of some species. In some countries, for example, located in the tropics, fur does not matter; there, protein is exterminated for tasty dietary meat.
Quiet - the squirrel is having lunch
Protein nutrition should be rational and balanced. Feed is given twice a day - morning and evening. The weight of foods eaten per feeding should be no more than 40g:
- flax, oats, hemp 12-15 g;
- nuts (walnuts, hazelnuts, pine) 5-8 g;
- sunflower 5-8 g;
- carrots 15g;
- apples 10g;
- white bread or crackers 10g;
- half a small white mushroom.
By the way, they love mushrooms in any form - both fresh and dried, they are equally tasty for them. And how could it be otherwise, because scientists have calculated that these animals eat 45 types of mushrooms.
You need to give one thing: bread or sowing, nuts or sunflowers. Squirrels love to feast on nuts and cones; they are given willow catkins, chalk and salt. They need deciduous plants, giving food from the table is strictly prohibited, the water in the drinking bowl must be clean.
Do domestic squirrels have gastronomic preferences? Well, of course! To pamper your pet, offer him crackers, only without additives, vegetables, fruits, you can catch an insect for your friend, make chopped meat, offer milk or fermented milk product. Offer your pet raisins, cereals or compote mixture, but pour boiling water over the seeds of the compote berries in advance. Peanuts and salted seeds are not only not healthy, but very harmful to squirrels.
Don’t forget that squirrels are natural aesthetes, and how the food is served will determine the appetite and quality of food absorption. Wash and clean drinkers and feeders in a timely manner, remove food debris and change the water. Remember that you cannot overfeed animals. Obesity is no less dangerous than hunger. To prevent their teeth from hurting and to wear them down in a timely manner, squirrels are given solid food.
Monotonous food can cause irreversible changes in the life of nimble furry creatures, and can even cause death.
Choosing a house
As we have already said, the squirrel should be spacious and light. In addition to the house, where the pet can hide from prying eyes, the enclosure should have a feeder, a drinking bowl, and a running wheel. The wheel is your assistant, because, believe me, it is very sad to watch how an energetic squirrel will be frankly bored, not being able to go for a run. A squirrel can spin on a wheel for several hours, and this will be to its benefit.
A log or branch is a mandatory attribute of an enclosure for squirrels. An active animal will benefit from any walks. Let him run around the apartment, but not alone. The little squirrel is smart, but not smart enough to understand that you can’t chew furniture legs or carpets.
Animal breeding
First, let's think about where to go shopping. Squirrels, like other animals, can be bought in a special nursery, pet store or zoo. They are rarely sold at poultry markets, and besides, how can you check that the animal is healthy?
Like most animals, mating games in squirrels they begin in the spring. Domestic squirrel carries offspring for about 5 weeks, she performs maternal duties well, the babies do not need additional care. A newborn baby is small, he is born weighing 8 grams, but grows quickly, since mother's milk contains all the components necessary for growth and development. At 2 weeks fur appears on their body, at 4 their eyes open, at 40 days they go in search of food, since their mother’s milk is no longer enough for them. At 2 months, the baby squirrel is completely independent. At 5 months, squirrels are sexually mature individuals. But not everyone can get offspring in captivity.
To the family includes marmots, squirrels, chipmunks and ground squirrels. Flying squirrels differ from squirrels by the presence of a skin membrane between the fore and hind limbs.
Flying squirrels. Flying squirrels have a thin skin membrane stretched between their front and hind limbs, thanks to which they can move through the air by gliding. Sometimes animals are able to cover considerable distances in this way. The tail of a flying squirrel plays the role of a braking organ when “landing” on a tree. Unlike squirrels, representatives of the flying squirrel family are active mainly at night. 
American northern flying squirrel, living in Southern Canada and the western United States, escapes from predators only thanks to its original ability to glide between trees. She spreads out all four limbs to stretch the membrane as much as possible, and flies from tree to tree. The largest species of the flying squirrel family is the Taguan, which reaches 1.2 m in length (including tail) and can fly up to sixty meters.
Features of squirrels and flying squirrels
Tail: Squirrels and flying squirrels have long, bushy tails. With their help, these animals direct the direction of flight. In addition, during flight they act as a balancer. Animals can use their tails as protection from rain and sun, or as a pillow when sleeping on a cold surface.
Eyes: Most of the squirrel family have fairly large eyes. Their retinas are very well developed, so animals can very accurately estimate the distance to the nearest tree or twig, which is so important when flying.
Limbs: Squirrels have fairly short limbs. Flying squirrels have long claws on their paws. Animals need them to cling to tree bark. The forelimbs of marmots and gophers have strong, long claws. With their help they dig holes. Some species of squirrels that live in deserts have fur on their paw pads, which protects them from the hot sand. 
Reproduction: In representatives of the squirrel family, which live in trees, pregnancy lasts about forty days. In marmots, pregnancy lasts less - about thirty-three days. Short pregnancy in gophers is 21-28 days.
Did you know? During hibernation, the body temperature of many members of the squirrel family decreases to 2 ° C, and the pulse slows down to five beats per minute (their normal pulse is 500 beats per minute).
The tail fur of common squirrels living in the UK often turns beige in winter. That is why scientists mistakenly classify them as a separate species.
In terms of the number of species, squirrels are second only to the mouse family.
At the beginning of the 20th century, the “city of prairie dogs” was discovered in Texas, which extended over an area of 160,390 km2. It was believed that about four hundred million of these animals lived there at that time.
In India there lives a chipmunk who happily feasts on the nectar of mulberry flowers, at the same time pollinating them.
Representatives of the family of squirrels and flying squirrels are found almost all over the world and inhabit a variety of biotopes. These animals are found both in the mountains and tropical jungle, and in city parks. 
ORIGIN. Fossil remains of squirrel-like animals have been known since the Oligocene period in the Northern Hemisphere, in the New and Old Worlds. The first squirrels most likely appeared in the tropical or subtropical regions of modern Eurasia. At a time when there was an isthmus between Eastern Siberia and Alaska (now separated by the Bering Strait), squirrels and related rodents traveled along it to North America. For a long time, these animals inhabited exclusively Eurasia and North America, which at that time was separated from South America by water. As a result of volcanic activity, a land bridge gradually formed between the two continents, which today is known as the Isthmus of Panama.
This happened at the end of the Pliocene, about two million years ago. Along the Isthmus of Panama, representatives of squirrels from North America came to the south.
PROTEINS. Squirrels have a special body structure that helps them move deftly through trees. They spend almost their entire lives high above the ground, among the branches of trees.
Most squirrels that live in trees are fast and agile animals, usually active during the day. These rodents have long fluffy tails, which is why the squirrel family is called Zsiigiskge in Latin, which translates as “fluffy-tailed”. The tail of these rodents serves as a balancer and steering wheel when jumping from tree to tree. Until the 19th century, when the gray squirrel was acclimatized in parts of Europe, the only European member of the family that lived in trees was common squirrel. In addition to the gray squirrel, American tree squirrels also include the Douglas squirrel.
Squirrels living in the northern parts of their range spend part of the winter in a dormant state. However, this is not typical hibernation; movements simply slow down and the animals sleep in the nest for several days. Different kinds proteins vary significantly in size.
African squirrels are animals weighing about 10 g, two-colored Ratufa, living in South-East Asia, reaches a mass of 3 kg. In people's minds, squirrels are found in conifers snowy forest. However, the Persian squirrel lives in walnut and chestnut forests. Her Latin name means "abnormal squirrel". 
TERRESTRIAL SPECIES Belichikh. Representatives of the squirrel family, living on the ground (more precisely, underground), have small ears and short, tousled hair that does not collect dust. This group includes ground squirrels, marmots and prairie dogs. Many species of squirrels live underground in colonies. They often build entire underground “cities”. Prairie dogs live in large family herds in underground “cities.” Each “town” is home to several thousand animals. Prairie dogs are found along the west coast of North America, from Canada to Mexico. Their "cities" are a complex system interconnected corridors and chambers, some of which are reserved for storage, other rooms serve as bedrooms, nesting chambers or dressing rooms. In front of the entrance to the prairie dog burrows, crater-shaped hills are visible that serve as observation points. Many species of terrestrial squirrels hibernate in winter, while others store supplies for the winter. For example, Siberian chipmunks fill barns with mushrooms and selected seeds. All chipmunks have very developed cheek pouches, which are necessary for carrying supplies. The chipmunk has adapted to life next to humans. In addition to natural food, it also collects waste from city parks and gardens. Marmots are distinguished by the fact that they hibernate in winter, but do not store reserves for the winter.