Sciuridae
Sciurus carolinensis
(eastern gray squirrel)

Image Caption:
A mother gray squirrel sits on a branch near a tree cavity where she had given birth to two young, after a gestation of 44 days (Steele & Koprowski, 2001).  Two to three young are average for eastern gray squirrels, although researchers have reported a squirrel raising eight pups (Steele & Koprowski, 2001).  Since male squirrels do not contribute to raising the young, it will be her job alone to see that the pups survive until they are prepared for independence.

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Mother Sciurus carolinensis carolinensis (Easter Gray Squirrel) on a branch
Works Cited:

Steele, M. A. & Koprowski, J. L.  (2001).  North American Tree Squirrels.  Washington and London: Smithsonian.
Image Location: United States, Virginia, Norfolk
Image Date: 2008APR16
Image Species:  Sciurus carolinensis carolinensis
(EXIF Information is accurate – stamped in UTC).

Web Page and Pictures By Peter Leitheiser
Updated: 2009MAR29