https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/182228274
My first observation is of a Red Squirrel here, pictured eating his favorite food, pinecones. While taking this picture, he was reasonably good and did not do his usual angry chattering (chee-chee-chee.) I have witnessed these little guys be as aggressive as a bear! They are territorial and will let you and any other animal know when you have crossed the line with their noisy chatter. (chee-chee-chee) Some people love these adorable animals with their big personalities; conversely, they can be problematic when they get into people's houses or eat all the bird food.
According to Bird Watching HQ, this squirrel I have taken a picture of is an American Red Squirrel. Like the name of this tiny creature, he is "red with a white belly, and they are smaller than the grey squirrel and fox squirrel but larger than chipmunks." (https://birdwatchinghq.com/squirrels-in-alaska/)
Scientific Name: Tamiasciurus hudsonicus
Average Length (Including tail): 11- 14 inches / 28 – 35.5 cm
Weight: 7.1–8.8 oz / 200–250 g
Their lifespans are short, with "severe mortality during their first year," and about 80% do not survive the first year. Their lifespan is anywhere between 2.3-8 years maximum. They have many predators throughout their area, which is extensive, but here on Baranof Island, it is eagles, gulls, martens, goshawks, owls, and bears. (https://birdwatchinghq.com/squirrels-in-alaska/)
I live on Baranof Island, where I found that the Red Squirrel is not indigenous to this island. Squirrels were imported to this island in 1922 to feed and attract Martens and to encourage trapping for their pelts. (https://www.kcaw.org/2015/04/01/ferocious-red-squirrel-to-grace-legislators-office/) If you are interested, there is much more information on the Alaska Dept. of Fish and Game. These squirrels are common and found throughout Alaska despite being introduced in some parts of Southeast Alaska. (https://www.adfg.alaska.gov/index.cfm?adfg=redsquirrel.main/)
Comentarios
Wow! I didn't know that those squirrels were imported. I've been seeing a lot of squirrels out and about lately. More so than usual. It's interesting you mention that you've seen these guys get aggressive! They certainly move with a purpose and hold their own. I'll have to listen closely and see if I can hear the noises they make.
Hello, Gayleen! I’m not familiar with the various types of squirrels throughout the state but he sure looks hungry. I was going to say I’m surprised you were able to get such a close and clear picture since they can definitely display sounds and mannerisms that let us know we are too close for their comfort. My sister has a family of squirrels in her backyard and, whenever I let the dogs out, I’ll hear the parents are babies chittering away in alarm. I did not know and am saddened to hear most die in their first year of life but thank you for sharing the wonderful images and your knowledge with me and the rest of the class!
Gayleen, your detailed explanation of squirrels was marvelous and has encouraged me to research them further. I didn't know squirrels were aggressive; I knew they were territorial but not as fierce as a bear. You mentioned that the squirrels are imported. That reminds me of when I would go camping and see them filling the lake with Trout. It was mainly done because Pike kept eating the Trout. The Pike is an invasive species in the lake, so they must constantly replace the Trout. It was interesting to read that other species get imported throughout Alaska. I'm also surprised to hear that eighty percent of the squirrels die in their first year; that's a high mortality rate. Your image is lovely, and I can't wait to see your following observation.
Hi Gayleen, thank you for sharing! I didn't know these were called American Red Squirrels! I'm impressed that the squirrel sat still and did not chitter chatter at you for the picture because I've tried to photograph many squirrels in my time and come up relatively unsuccessful. I had no idea the mortality rate for squirrels was so high. I don't love squirrels but that makes me so sad! However, it makes sense seeing that its predators are other animals who are very very common in Alaska. I wonder how much a 2-year-old squirrel varies from ones who live up to 8 years old.
Hello to those who chose to write to me. Thank you-
Hannah, I, too, wondered when I was researching the American Red Squirrel, which, by the way, lives in the entire country, the same question you asked. "However, it makes sense, seeing that its predators are other animals who are very, very common in Alaska. I wonder how much a 2-year-old squirrel varies from ones who live up to 8 years old." That's a dig deep research question that, at some point, I will look up and be able to answer that question.
This particular squirrel sat long enough for me to get a video of it for nearly a minute and stood maybe six feet away from me! It made me so happy to see how unbothered he was towards me.
Gayleen
Aren't squirrels the funniest creatures? I am relentless teased by my children for my pronunciation of the little critters. While I'm fully American now, I can't seem to get my mouth to say "squirrel" the way Americans do. It's sort of like "SKWARL" where I say "SQUI-RREL". Perhaps because they grew up with a crazy mother who apparently, mis-pronounced the word, my memories of motherhood are wrapped up in finding SQUI-RRELS wherever we go. The differences in the areas of the globe I've visited are so varied.
They were also the first critters my sons harvested and BOY, are those little guys difficult to cook! You'd have to harvest 20 to make a meal, and frankly, I'd rather watch them in the wilderness, than eat them at my table!
Hi Gayleen,
I can definitely relate to the loud chatter Red Squirrels make. My apartment is right by the complex's dumpster and I often hear the squirrels warning off other animals almost daily. They scurry back and forth from the green strip right next door to the tiny holes they have made to scrounge for food in the trash shed. It used to be an annoyance, but I have since grown to appreciate the chatter. Most of the time I can tune it out, plus the cats like the real life squirrel t.v. they get from watching through the windows. I also had no idea what a squirrels lifespan was, and it makes me a little sad that it can be so short. Thank you for sharing the adorable picture of your squirrel with his snack.
-Ayanna
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