The American Red Squirrel - By d' Bay - Live Bird Feeder Webcam Images

The American Red Squirrel

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The American Red Squirrel (Tamiasciurus hudsonicus) is one of three species of tree squirrel currently classified in the genus Tamiasciurus and known as pine squirrels (the other are the Douglas Squirrel T. douglasii and Mearns's Squirrel T. mearnsi). It is a medium sized (200–250 g) diurnal mammal that defends a year-round exclusive territory. The diet of these tree squirrels is specialized on the seeds of conifer cones. As such, they are widely distributed across North America wherever conifers are common, except on the Pacific coasts where they are replaced by Douglas Squirrels. Recently, American Red Squirrels have been expanding their range to include primarily hardwood areas.

Squirrels were introduced to Newfoundland in 1963 and they have now colonised the whole island. The American red squirrel occupies all of the temperate, forested regions of northern North America. An adult weighs between 145 and 260 g (5 to 9 oz.) The American red squirrel constructs its nest in the branches or in cavities of trees or stumps. In winter, it lives on food that it diligently stored during late summer and autumn. A single cache may contain several hundred spruce or pine cones.