| Location: |
Virginia, Norfolk, Northside Park |
| Date: |
2008JUN to 2008AUG |
| Observer: |
Peter Leitheiser |
| Summary: |
Reproductive Behavior of the Gray Squirrel (Sciurus carolinensis) |
A mating chase (or bought) begins when a female enters estrous (or heat). Males are able to tell when a female is nearing estrous by smell, which attracts them from all around.
The males fought for dominance in a line that trailed the female, in periodic pandemoniums of activity. They excitedly squeaked, a call that sounded like the call of a Cardinal. In the chases I saw, about eight males followed the female.
Sometimes the female called back, mewing like a kitten. But other than that, the female was initially not interested in the approaches of the males, and either ran or found a secure place from which to tell intruders off.
From what I read, the males, or in the pictured case, single male, may follow the female for up to five days.
He didn't seem to want to let her out of his sight as she foraged.
At least, as long as he could keep his eyes open.
He probably didn't want to get too far away because the female is only receptive for a brief period, so he may only have one chance to sire the next generation of squirrels.
Report and Photos by Peter Leitheiser