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It comes in a variety of colors, such as white, gray, brown and black.

The gray squirrel ( Sciurus carolinensis) isn't just gray. For example, a squirrel has padded feet that cushions jumps from up to 20 feet (6 meters) long. Their eyes are high on their head and placed on each side of the head so they can see a large amount of their surroundings without having to turn their head. These rodents have remarkable little bodies. This ensures that their teeth don't wear down to nubs from gnawing on nuts and other objects. Squirrels have four teeth in the front of their mouth that constantly grow throughout their lives. The Namdapha flying squirrel is critically endangered.

Genera & species: 21 genera & more than 200 species, including Lariscus hosei (Four-striped ground squirrel), Exilisciurus whiteheadi (Tufted pygmy squirrel), Ratufa bicolor (Black giant squirrel), Glaucomys sabrinusi (Northern flying squirrel) and Tamiasciurus hudsonicus (Red squirrel)Īccording to the International Union for the Conservation of Nature's Red List, these species are endangered: San Joaquin antelope ground squirrel, woolly flying squirrel, Sipora flying squirrel, Mentawi flying squirrel, Siberut flying squirrel, smoky flying squirrel, Vincent's bush squirrel, Baja California rock squirrel, Idaho ground squirrel, Perote ground squirrel, fraternal squirrel and Mearns' squirrel.

Subfamilies: Callosciurinae (Southern Asian tree squirrels), Ratufinae (giant tree squirrels), Sciurillinae (South American pygmy squirrels), Sciurinae (includes flying squirrels), Xerinae (includes ground squirrels).

The taxonomy of squirrels, according to the Integrated Taxonomic Information System (ITIS), is: Some species of squirrel have new litters every few months or as little as twice per year. When the kits leave the nest, they don't travel farther than 2 miles from home, according to the Massachusetts Department of Wildlife and Fisheries. Taylor)Īfter seven to eight weeks, the young are weaned. They depend on their mothers for around two or three months.Ī boost of stress during pregnancy helps red squirrels ensure that their pups will grow fast. Babies are called kits or kittens and are born blind.

Mothers give birth to two to eight offspring at one time. Baby squirrelsĪ female carries her young for a gestation period of 29 to 65 days, depending on the size of the species smaller squirrels have shorter gestation periods, according to the University of Michigan's Animal Diversity Web. In the winter months they have a store of food they can eat when supplies are scarce. To prepare for cold months, squirrels will bury their food. Squirrels mainly eat fungi, seeds, nuts and fruits, but they will also munch on eggs, small insects, caterpillars, small animals and even young snakes.

Squirrels are omnivores, which means they like to eat plants and meat. Many people think that squirrels only eat nuts, but this isn't true. On average, squirrels eat about one pound of food per week. They can glide up to 160 feet (48 m), making it look like they can fly. To get from tree to tree or from a tree to the ground, flying squirrels spread the muscle membrane between their legs and body and glide on the air. (Image credit: Andrea Browning )įlying squirrels make their homes in tree holes or nests that are built into the crooks of branches. The township of Kenton, Tenn., proudly boasts a population of 200 of the furry, pale rodents. Olney, Ill., is one of the towns that calls itself "Home of the White Squirrels," along with Marionville, Mo., and Brevard, N.C. Albino squirrels are quite popular in some parts of the United States.