![]() There are two stick nest types made by the western gray squirrel: the first is a large, round, covered shelter nest for winter use, birthing, and rearing young. Squirrel nests are called dreys and can be seen in trees, built from sticks and leaves wrapped with long strands of grass. Tree squirrels are prey for bobcats, hawks, eagles, mountain lions, coyotes, cats, raccoons and humans. Once an alarm call is transmitted, those present will join in, and the trees become a cacophony of chirping squirrels. ![]() Like many prey animals, they depend on auditory alerts from other squirrels or birds to determine safety. Though they do not hibernate, they do become less active during the winter. Although squirrels show relatively good scent relocation abilities, some food caches are never reclaimed, becoming seedlings in the spring. They are scatter-hoarders making numerous caches of food when it is abundant, and thus contribute to the seed dispersion of their food trees. ![]() When on alert, they will spread their tails lavishly, creating an umbrella effect that shields them and possibly provides cover from overhead predators. They feed on pinecones and many other nuts in preparation for the winter. They generally forage in the morning and late afternoon for acorns, pine nuts, new tree buds, and fruits. They feed mostly in trees and on the ground. Pine nuts and acorns are considered critical foods because they are very high in oil and moderately high in carbohydrates, which help increase the development of body fat. ![]() They are strictly diurnal, and feed mainly on seeds and nuts, particularly pine seeds and acorns, though they will also take berries, fungus and insects. Time on the ground is spent foraging, but they prefer to travel distances from tree to tree. Western gray squirrels are forest dwellers, and can be found at elevations up to 2,000 m. Females can be quite territorial, and will chase others away and have fairly violent altercations between themselves. Mating squirrels can be very physical and will bite and injure each other. Mother squirrels often seem to be overworked with a stressed appearance, complete with bruised and battered nipples. This is a good indicator of age and maturity. Young gray squirrels have furled tails which will not reach fullness until adulthood. The kits are relatively slow in development, and will not leave the nest for six months or more, another species disadvantage when in competition with other, more-rapidly fledging squirrels. Litter sizes range from one to five kits which remain in the nest for a longer period than other squirrels. Juveniles emerge from nests between March and mid-August. Young are born after approximate 44-day gestation period. They mate over an extended period ranging from December through June. Western gray squirrels reach sexual maturity at 10 to 11 months, and at approximately one year of age, will begin breeding. Western gray squirrels eat berries, nuts, a variety of seeds, and the eggs of small birds. Nesting mothers will use their tail hair to line birthing nests. Tail hair is replaced only in the spring. Tree squirrels undergo a complete head-to-tail molt in the spring and a rump-to-head molt in the fall. Also, it stays in a curved upwards in an "S" shape. The tail is long and typically very bushy. The ears turn reddish-brown at the back in the winter. ![]() The dorsal fur is a silver gunmetal gray, with pure white on the underside there may be black flecks in the tail. Western gray squirrels exhibit a form of coloration known as counter shading. It is the largest native tree squirrel in the western coastal United States. 35 to 1 kilogram (0.77 to 2.20 lb), and length (including tail) from 43 to 61 centimetres (17 to 24 in). niger (which have been introduced into its native range), these squirrels are shy, and will generally run up a tree and give a hoarse chirping call when disturbed. Compared with the eastern gray squirrel S. It has plantigrade, pentadactyl feet with two phalanges. Sciurus griseus is the largest tree squirrel in the Sierra Nevada and Central California range. The western gray squirrel was first described by George Ord in 1818 based on notes taken by Lewis and Clark at The Dalles in Wasco County, Oregon. ![]()
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