Squirrels in New York BY: Ross Metcalfe

Every variety of squirrel can be found all over the northeast. Mahopac alone is home to the grey squirrel, black squirrel, flying squirrel, red squirrel, and fox squirrel. All of these species of squirrels can be found gathering nuts and climbing the various trees the majority of their time. How Squirrels Can Be Found In Mahopac

Eastern Grey Squirrel The eastern grew squirrel is a tree squirrel native to the eastern United States. As its name suggests, the Eastern Gray Squirrel's fur is predominantly gray, but it can have a reddish tinge. Its belly is white.

They were first spotted in the Carolinas They have migrated to the western part of the United States and as far as the United Kingdom. They hoard food in numerous small bundles for hiding. They return to these bundles weeks, sometimes months later. They make a distinct high screeching noise to communicate to other grey squirrels.

These squirrels build a type of nest, known as a drey, in the forks of trees. These consist mainly of dry leaves and twigs. Sometimes they will also attempt to build a nest in the attic or exterior walls of houses, often to the great annoyance and frustration of the homeowner.

Black Squirrel The black squirrel is a melanistic phase of the eastern grey squirrel. They originate in southern ontario. They can sometimes outnumber the grey squirrel by 10 to 1.

Most populations of the black squirrel in North America have been artificially introduced. Marysville, Kansas is known as “Black Squirrel City”. The Haverford College mascot is, in fact, a black squirrel. There is a Black Squirrel Festival in Kent State University. It started in 1981.

Fox Squirrel Fox squirrel is the largest species of tree squirrels native to North America. They are also sometimes referred to as the Stump-eared Squirrel, Raccoon Squirrel, or Monkey-faced Squirrel. They are sometimes mistaken for Eastern Grey Squirrel by casual observers. The Fox Squirrel's natural range extends throughout the eastern United States, excluding New England, north into the southern prairie provinces of Canada, and west to the Dakotas, Colorado, and Texas.

Total body length measures 45 to 70 cm, tail length is 20 to 33 cm, and they range in weight from 500 to 1000 grams. There is no sexual dimorphism in size or appearance. Individuals tend to be smaller in the west. Fox Squirrels depend primarily on tree seeds for food, but they are generalist eaters and will also consume buds and fruits.

Flying Squirrel scientifically known as Pteromyini or Petauristini. There are 43 species in this tribe, the largest of which is the woolly flying squirrel. Flying squirrels are actually gliders.

once they have launched themselves into the air they are highly maneuverable while in flight. The tail acts as a stabilizer in flight. Though their lifespan is only about five years in the wild, flying squirrels often live between 10 and 15 years in captivity.

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