A

Abert's Squirrel- A squirrel species found in southwestern USA. The head and body measure 11-12in (28-30cm); and the tail is 8-9in (20-23cm). They weigh 1 1/2 - 2 lb. (681-908g). This is the most colorful of our tree squirrels. The tail either all-white or white beneath and broadly bordered with white; belly either white or black; prominent black, or blackish, ear tufts except late summer; sides gray; back redddish. Skull has 22 teeth. The only squirrel with these markings.
Some authors consider the squirrels north of the Grand Canyon (S. kaibabensis) as a distinct species; they have all-white tails."(1)
"A large, tassel-eared, bushy-tailed tree squirrel, dark gray in color with a whitish tail. More specifically, the dorsum is gray with a mid-dorsal rufous stripe, underparts white (except dark in S. a. kaibabensis), tufts or tassels present on ears in winter are black or brownish black; skull relatively short and broad...; length of nasals about equal to interorbital breadth; two upper premolars, but Pm3 does not fully erupt until animals are adult, dental formula 1/1, 0/0, 2/2, 3/3."(2)
"Tassel-eared squirrels vary geographically in color in New Mexico. Those from the Jemez, San Juan, and Sangre de Cristo mountains have a very reduced rufous dorsal stripe and in some cases none at all; as far as we have seen, they always have a white belly. Those from the Sandias and Mount Taylor southward have a much expanded dorsal stripe, and on certain ranges many individuals are black-bellied."(3)
"The habitat is yellow pine forests, 7000-8000ft. (2133-2590m) elevation."(1) "Abert and Kaibab squirrels are highly dependent upon ponderosa pine: they live and nest in them; they feed on the bark, buds, flowers, and seeds; and they seek refuge and have escape routes from enemies here."(2)
"These animals, commonly known as tassel-eared squirrels, are essentially confined to ponderosa forests, although in many New Mexican canyons where the squirels are common the forests may be categorized as mixed coniferous. The presence of the squirrels is often betrayed by the litter of clipped twigs of ponderosa pine on the ground under trees where the animals have been feeding."(3)
The Abert squirrel feeds primarily on pinecones and the cambium layer of small pine twigs; also eats fungi"(1) "Not only do Abert (and Kaibab) squirrels live in the ponderosa pines, but their food comes primarily from these trees in the form of seeds, flowers, needles, and the inner bark or terminal twigs. Other foods eaten are various fungi or mushrooms, mistletoe, antlers and bones, acorns, insects, carrion, and occasionally pieces of shrub and grasses....Fungi are eaten extensively throughout the summer, and when available throughout the year. They provide an important source of moisture in the diet of these squirrels, for in many areas where they live they must derive most of their water from their food."(2)
"The Abert Squirrel mates March - April. Three to four young are born April - May."(1) "On the Mogollon Plateau (Arizona), Keith (5) found that mating occurs primarily in late April and May. Young are born in June and early July. He estimates the gestation period at about 40 days. Young are in the nests in July and are mostly out and about in August....Newborn weigh about 12 gm., hairless, eyes closed, and ears adpressed. At two weeks the eyes are still closed but hair is present. Eyes are open by six weeks, and hair is nearly as long as in adults. At this time young begin to feed on solid foods and are weaned at about ten weeks."(2)
"Builds bulky nest high in pines; may be heard barking when excited, but usually rather quiet."(1)

Abert's Squirrel
Literature Cited:
1. Burt, W.H., R.P. Grossenheider. 1976. The Peterson Field Guide Series: A Field Guide to the Mammals. Peterson, R.A. (Ed.). Houghton Mifflin Company, Boston, 117p.
2. Hoffmeister, D.F. 1986. Mammals of Arizona. University of Arizona Press, Tucson, 199-203p.
3. Findley, J. S., A. H. Harris, D. E. Wilson, and C. Jones. 1975. Mammals of New Mexico. University of New Mexico Press, Albuquerque, 135-37p.
4. Keith, J.O. 1965. The Abert squirrel and its dependence on ponderosa pine. Ecology. 46:150-63.

Acorn- We all know that one of the squirrel's favorite food is acorns. But, you probably don't know all the choices involved with how squirrels select which acorns to eat, which ones to avoid, and which ones to hide for later. Some acorns are better for squirrels than others. Information provided by: http://miavx1.acs.muohio.edu/

Aeretes- Genus containing a single species, Groove-toothed flying squirrel, which is found in northeast China.

Aeromys- Flying squirrel genus containing two species found from Thailand to Borneo.

Ammospermophilus- Genus of 5 species of ground-dwelling squirrels known as Antelope squirrels inhabiting southwestern United states. They resemble chipmunks and are so cute!

Antelope squirrel- Any of 5 species of ground squirrel which measure 7 5/8 - 9 3/8 in. (19.4-23.9 cm) long and have small ears. There is 1 narrow white stripe on each side. He runs with his tail curled over his back, exposing the white undersurface. His skull has 22 teeth. There are 10 mammae. The white bottom of the tail of these species is quite conspicuous as the animal runs about, and is responsible for its common name, since the pronghorn antelope also displays a white posterior as it flees.
The habitat of the antelope squirrel is deserts and foothills and hard gravelly surface. Also, he inhabits low desert and foothills, sparce vegetation, and scattered junipers. He appears to prefer level, often sandy, areas but is also found in rocky situations. Also, he may climb low trees and shrubs. Holes of bannertail kangaroo rats and those of other rodents may be used as shelter.
Antelope ground squirrels use sufficient water that they are unable to survive on metabolic water alone and need some succulent food in the diet. Loss of water in the excretion of nitrogenous wastes is held to a minimum by the efficiency of the kidney. Also, because these squirrels are omnivorous, feeding on seeds, plants, invertebrates, and vertebrates, succulent food items are present in the diet in all months of the year. Antelope ground squirrels are opportunistic feeders, making use of what is available. At leas 50 percent of the diet is seeds...Green vegetation varies from about 15 to 60 percent, and the amount is highest from December through May when the desert is greenest. Insects are eaten in small numbers throughout the year and include grasshoppers, beetles, Jerusalem crickets, and ants. From March through September, lizards and even rodents were frequently eaten. In Arizona, antelope ground squirrels may compete for garden produce, for studies indicate that in some areaas they have been found with seeds of watermelon grapes, muskmelon, and the green leaves of alfalfa. These squirrels not only hoard food items in their burrows, but also make caches in the ground like many tree squirrels. Whether they successfully relocate these caches is not known.
Four or five young are born in spring after a gestation of about twenty-nine days. The young remain in the burrow for another month before emerging. Females seemingly produce but one litter a year. Since hibernation is not a part of the life history of these species, the young are not under the pressure to accumulate winter reserves that many other squirrels face.
Unlike other ground squirrels, prairie dogs, and chipmunks, Ammospermophilus is active throughout the year. Even during the hottest summer weather, they may be seen foraging above ground. During these foraging bouts the squirrels may overheat slightly, then retire to the coooler temperatures of their burrows to cool off. They do not cool evaporatively, and hence are not water-stressed by this behavior. During the summer the squirrels occupy burro ws individually, except for the association of females and unweaned young. In the winter, however, the animals live several in a burrow, conserving heat during the night by huddling. They are not territorial, but a linear dominance hierarchy occurs among members of local groups. Five species of Antelope squirrel are found in southwestern United States. Slight color differences separate the five, but since each occupies a different range, and since no two kinds have been found in the same area, identification is not a problem. Antelope ground squirrels are diurnal and nonhibernators. They are adapted to tolerate high temperatures, including high body temperatures that may go a bove 110 degrees Farenheight. They are not as well adapted for low temperatures. At high temperatures, these squirrels cool themselves, in part, by salivating and spreading the saliva over the face region. The use of saliva results in considerable loss of water, and other adaptations are required to compensate for this. Information provided by: sevilleta.unm.edu

Antelope Squirrel

Arizona Gray Squirrel- see Gray Squirrel, Arizona.

Atlantoxerus- Genus of a single species, Barbary ground squirrel, inhabiting Morocco and Algeria.

B

Bassett, Gregg- The founder of the Squirrel Lover's Club

Belomys- A genus of a single species, the hairy-footed flying squirrel, which is found in southeast Asia.

Bird Feeder- A place a squirrel likes to have his meal, although most people don't seem to appreciate it.

Black Squirrel- Anyone who has lived in Reedsburg for any length of time, or has visited its many parks, can’t help but notice the preponderance of black squirrels scurrying around. Yes, there are also the common gray variety, but the dark furry critters seem to predominate.
How rare is the black squirrel? A little investigation via the Internet brought forth some answers.
Gray squirrels come in many colors; shades of gray are the most common followed by shades of brown. There are also pure white and pure black squirrels but both are variations of the gray squirrel.
According to a recent article in The Detroit News, the Detroit & Lansing, MI areas, along with Princeton, N.J., Galesburg, IL and New Hartford, CT are the only five places in the U.S. with a predominate population of black furred squirrels, and of course, Reedsburg, WI!
Biologists estimate that the black squirrel is unusually rare with only one squirrel in 10,000 wearing the dusky coat.
This mutant of the gray squirrel resides primarily in northern climates. Biologists surmise that the black fur more readily absorbs the rays of the sun, thereby keeping its owner warmer during cold winters. Selective genetics has given the black squirrel this survival advantage.
One of the reasons they seem to be more abundant in cities is that their black coloration is more readily spotted in rural areas by predators, primarily birds of prey.
So the next time you spot one of these black furry creatures attacking your bird feeder or ravaging your garden, be a little more tolerant, they are indeed, unique.
Information provided by: Reedsburg’s Black Squirrels By William C. Schuette

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