Sciurus carolinensis 45ever, they also forage on the ground, especially in open for-
ests. They are active throughout the year. Mating chases
w it h mu lt iple ma le pa r t icipa nt s ca n be seen most of ten f rom
January to May; however, the breeding season seems pro-
longed, and lactating females have been reported in most
months. A litter of one to four is born in a leaf nest or den
cavity, both located in the largest trees in relatively dense
stands. The young are weaned and disperse from their natal
area soon after emergence from the den. Individuals are not
territorial, and home ranges overlap. Males range over 2.3
(0.9–4.7) ha, and females over 0.9 (0.5–1.2) ha. Individuals are
usually solitary, except when attracted to an abundant food
resource while foraging. S. aureogaster feeds predominantly
on the tree seeds of oak (Quercus) and pine (Pinus), but it also
eats fl owers, buds, fruits, and fungi. Red-bellied squirrels
excise the embryos of white oak acorns and also remove the
embryo from germinated red oaks prior to caching the
seeds, behaviors common in congeners from temperate for-
ests. S. aureogaster is generally quiet and calls only when
distressed. Two calls are used in this context: a low-pitched
barking call emitted when the animals are apprehensive
about a distant threat, and a high-pitched barking call given
when danger is nearby. Their predators include raptors, fe-
lids, procyonids, and snakes. Red-bellied squirrels are
viewed as pests in cornfi elds—as well as in cacao, papaya,
mango, and coconut plantations—and they are hunted in
some portions of their ranges as a source of meat and pelts.
These colorful squirrels are occasionally sold as pets, but
they may also have value to ecotourists. Habitat loss and
fragmentation remain an issue as forests are harvested and
converted to agriculture.
general references: L. N. Brown and McGuire 1975; Es-
trada and Coates-Estrada 1985; Musser 1968; Ramos-Lara
and Cervantes 2007; Romero-Balderas et al. 2006; Steele,
Turner, et al. 2001.Sciurus carolinensis (Gmelin, 1788)
Eastern Gray Squirreldescription: Eastern gray squirrels have a grizzled pale to
slate gray dorsum that is sometimes washed with cinna-
mon, especially on the hips. Postauricular patches are white
to buff and most prominent in the winter. A white eye ring
is usually visible. The venter is white to buff to cinnamon.
The tail color is the same as the dorsum, with a light frosting
of white. Melanism is common in northern populations,
where an energetic advantage occurs in winter. White and
albino populations are known from several locations in the
midwestern and eastern USA.size: Both sexes—HB 200–315 mm; T 150–250 mm; Mass
300–710 g.distribution: This species is found from Saskatchewan
(Canada) south to eastern Texas (USA) and east through
Canada and the USA to the Atlantic coast. It was introduced
into Britain, Scotland, Ireland, Italy, South Africa, Australia,Sciurus aureogaster. Photo courtesy Juan Cruzado.