Squirrels

The two species of red squirrel (Tamiasciurus spp.), also known as chickarees and pine squirrels, are widespread arboreal animals occurring in conifer-dominated forests of North America, and to a lesser degree in mixed-wood forests. Red squirrels do not hibernate and are active all winter. However, during bad weather they may sleep for several days in their tree-top nest, usually located in a fork of a branch or in a hollow part of a tree. Red squirrels eat a wide range of nuts, fruits, flowers, conifer seeds, and mushrooms, as well as opportunistically predating on insects and bird nests.

The red squirrel (Tamiasciurus hudsonicus) is quite widespread in boreal, montane, and pine forests. The range of this species extends from the northern limit of trees in Canada and Alaska, southward through the Appalachian Mountains to South Carolina, and in the Rocky Mountains to New Mexico. This species has reddish fur and white underparts and feet.

The Douglas squirrel, or chickaree (Tamiasciurus douglasii), occurs in conifer-dominated and mixed-wood forests, and ranges from British Columbia south to California. This species stores large caches of conifer cones for use as food during the wintertime.