https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/188712378

I found this pine squirrel on my way to class, and it was running around on the sidewalk and rocks. It was climbing trees and looked like a Loony Tunes character running all over the place. I haven't met that many squirrels, but the ones I have give me the stare like it's watching me. I found myself staring right back like I won't let you get me. I always found it amazing to see them climb trees really fast or when they jump from tree to tree, and you know the branches bend due to the weight. They also make a rustling sound when jumping through the leaves.

The pine squirrel was mainly used for food and fur by humans (Red Squirrel). The meat is small, but it was really good for hunting for hunters (Red Squirrel). In Canada and Alaska, pine squirrel pets were sold for their fur, making them valuable to hunters at the time (Red Squirrel). Pelts helped craft items, so they were valuable (Red Squirrel). Pine squirrels were also "helpful because they distribute and plant seeds of spruce and other trees" (Red Squirrel).

The pine squirrel, also known as "The Abert’s squirrel (Sciurus aberti) is associated almost solely with the montane (8,000-10,000 foot) forest ecosystem. They are quite distinct because of their tufted, or tasseled, ears and black coat" (Platten 1). Their colors range from black to gray, and they use taste to determine the value of a tree (Platten 1). "They are not known to defend territories, perhaps because their home range is quite large, averaging nearly 20 acres" (Platten 1). They like getting seeds as their preferred meal, but in the summer, their diet has a high proportion of fungi (Platten 1). "Generally, pine squirrels have a favorite feeding tree where it eats and drops leftover cone pieces" (Platten 2). They also only live fire years and breed once pure year in February or March (Red Squirrel). Their main predators are Hawks, owls, and martens (Red Squirrel).

I had difficulty determining whether the squirrel was a pine or red squirrel. But apparently, Pine squirrels is just another name for red squirrel, so they are the same squirrel with two different names.

Sources:

Platten, Mark. “The Nature of Teller.” Aberts and Pine Squirrels, 2018, teller.extension.colostate.edu/wp-content/uploads/sites/31/2018/12/Aberts-and-Pine-Squirrels.pdf. Accessed 23 Oct. 2023.

“Red Squirrel.” The Great State of Alaska, Alaska Department of Fish and Game, www.adfg.alaska.gov/index.cfm?adfg=redsquirrel.main. Accessed 23 Oct. 2023.

Publicado el octubre 25, 2023 08:46 TARDE por hannahbanana05