Sciuridae
Sciurus carolinensis
(eastern gray squirrel)

Image Caption:
Two young eastern gray squirrels explore the trees around their natal area cautiously.  Youth is a difficult time for squirrels, since young squirrels must disperse into new territories while facing hungry predators and the scarce food supplies during their first winter.  Few make it through their first year.  In an eight-year study in North Carolina, an average of 26% of tagged nestlings were recaptured a year later, with only 4% recaptured one particularly bad year  (Barkalow, Hamilton, & Soots, 1970).

<<  Survival                                                                           >>

Sciurus carolinensis carolinensis (Easter Gray Squirrel) Young Pair in Tree
Works Cited:

Barkalow, Jr., R. B., Hamilton, & Soots, Jr, R. F.  (1970).  The Vital Statistics of an Unexploited Gray Squirrel Population.  The Journal of Wildlife Management.  34(3).  Allen Press.

Image Location: United States, Virginia, Norfolk
Image Date: 2008MAY02
Image Species: Sciurus carolinensis carolinensis
(EXIF Information is accurate – stamped in UTC).

Web Page and Pictures By Peter Leitheiser
Updated: 2009APR22