![]() ![]() No breeding females were recorded in October, November and December of any year. The second season starts in early June and continues until the end of July. The grey squirrel has two breeding seasons in Britain: one starts in early January and continues into March, and lactating females are found until late May. American records show a preponderance of males over females. ![]() A total sex ratio for males females of 86: 100 is given. ![]() Although methods of collection may possibly influence this ratio, a slight but steady preponderance of females is recorded in all classes except 1946 nestlings. Sex-ratio tables for nestlings, juveniles and adults are given. In Britain melanics are to be found in Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire, and albinos occur in Kent, Surrey and Sussex. The result of a cross between a female melanic and a normal grey male is described. The genetics of the melanic form are still not understood. Erythristic mutants have been observed in the New Forest area.Īlbino, melanie and partially-melanie forms have been recorded in America and in Britain. Juveniles and adults in summer coat are brownish in colour and may be confused with the red squirrel, S. Seasonal variations in the coat are described. Our present animal is probably intermediate between Sciurus c. In America the two forms concerned show intergradation over a large area, and the definitions do not appear to be consistent. In some places, they've even captured and relocated normal-colored gray squirrels out of town.The question of sub-specific rank for the American grey squirrel in Britain is discussed. In these towns, residents build squirrel houses, feed the squirrels, plant nut trees, and enact ordinances forbidding the killing of their local mascot animal. Marionville, in southwest Missouri, bills itself as "The Home of the White Squirrel." Olney, Illinois, and Kenton, Tennessee, also proudly tout their white squirrel populations and sell souvenirs and tee shirts to tourists. Towns that support large populations of white squirrels (albino and/or white-furred variants of the eastern gray squirrel) have an enduring draw for tourism. Occasionally, they damage the insulation on outdoor electrical wiring and frequently become a nuisance when they gain access to the attics of homes. ![]() They may girdle ornamental trees, particularly in early spring when they gnaw the inner bark. Squirrels provide considerable pleasure for city dwellers who observe them around their homes and in parks.Īutomobiles kill many squirrels annually.Įconomically, squirrels do some harm when they take food from cornfields. Squirrels furnish a large supply of meat each year for Missouri hunters. None of these are likely to be confused with the two tree squirrels described here.įrom 600,000 to 700,000 squirrels are taken annually in Missouri. Similar species: Other members of the squirrel family (Sciuridae) that live in Missouri are the eastern chipmunk, woodchuck, thirteen-lined ground squirrel, Franklin's ground squirrel, and southern flying squirrel. In Missouri, black or albino individuals occur rarely. The eastern fox squirrel ( Sciurus niger) is heavy-bodied and larger than the gray squirrel the fringe of the tail and belly are reddish yellow the back and sides of the body are reddish yellow mixed with gray (rarely, the body may be all black) the total length (tip of nose to tip of tail) reaches 29 inches. Albino individuals occur occasionally in some instances where this characteristic is common in the heredity of a local population, small colonies of albinos may be formed. Sometimes black individuals occur in the same litter with gray ones these may be entirely glossy black or show various gradations between black and gray. The eastern gray squirrel ( Sciurus carolinensis) is slender and smaller than the fox squirrel the fringe of the tail and belly are white the back and sides of the body are gray (rarely reddish or all black) the total length (tip of nose to tip of tail) reaches 21 inches. The names aptly describe their general coat color: the first is usually gray, the other is usually reddish yellow. The eastern gray squirrel and eastern fox squirrel are the most common members of the squirrel family in Missouri. ![]()
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