The Squirrels

31 Oct 2011

Did you know they are 3 species of the squirrel family, Sciuridae, native to PEI.

Here are some interesting facts about each:

American Red Squirrel

largest of the three squirrels
long, bushy tails
darker fur on their backs when compared to the fur on their belly.
can be found in coniferous forests, nesting in tree cavities
very adaptable and can survive almost anywhere
seed and nut eaters but will eat insects, fruit, fungi and bird eggs
do not hibernate during the winter
spend a majority of their time storing food, sometimes storing more than they will eat

Red Squirrel

Northern Flyifng Squirrel

most mysterious of the squirrels
nocturnal
roughly the same size as red squirrels
distinct, large, black reflective eyes for night vision
do not fly, instead they glide using their flap of skin on each side
make their home in coniferous forests, usually nesting in abandoned woodpecker cavities, old red squirrel or blue jay nests 1m – 10m above the ground
do not hibernate

Northern Flying Squirrel

Eastern Chipmunk

the smallest of the P.E.I. squirrels
has a tail only a third as long as it body
light brown in colour with five black stripes on their backs
live along the edges of woodlands, in burrows, where the land is dry so digging is easy.
end of July and into fall these squirrels spend their time fattening up for winter
ability to puff out their cheeks to collect large amounts of nuts and seeds
enter torpor, a form of hibernation, where they spend a majority of their time sleeping, only waking to snack on items from their food stores

Eastern Chipmunk