80 Tamiasciurus douglasiidiet of northern goshawks (Accipiter gentilis) increased dur-
ing both the squirrel’s breeding season and annually in
response to cone crops.
general references: J. B. Buchanan et al. 1990; Carey
1995; Flyger and Gates 1982; Ingles 1965; Keane et al. 2006;
Koford 1982; Lair 1985; Larsen and Boutin 1994; Lomolino
and Perault 2001; McKeever 1964; Perault and Lomolino
2000; Ransome 2001; Sanders 1983; C. C. Smith 1965, 1968,
1978, 1981; W. P. Smith, Anthony, et al. 2003; Steele 1998,
1999; Steele and Koprowski 2001; Steele, Wauters, et al. 2005;
Sullivan and Sullivan 1982; Yahner 2003.
Tamiasciurus hudsonicus (Erxleben, 1777)
Red Squirrel
description: T. hudsonicus is recognized by its small size
(200–250 g), reddish dorsum, white venter, and white eye
ring. The dorsal surface is reddish, ferruginous brown, or
olivaceous gray, usually with a reddish median band. T. hud-
sonicus is distinguished from T. douglasii by its venter, which
is white or yellowish; that of T. douglasii is rust-colored or
reddish, often with a blackish wash. The tail hairs of T. hud-
sonicus have yellowish to rusty tips with a black band, where-
as those of T. douglasii have yellowish to white tips.
size: Female—HB 189.7 mm (n = 191): T 123.6 mm (n = 139);
Mass 213.0 g (n = 455).
Male—HB 187.0 mm (n = 177); T 123.7 mm (n = 177); Mass
194.0 g (n = 227).
Sex not stated—HB 186.6 mm (n = 9); T 123.4 mm (n = 9);
Mass 195.0 g (n = 2).
distribution: This species is found in Alaska (USA);
throughout Canada (south of the tundra), including Vancou-
ver Island; the western USA (in the mountain states); and
the northeastern USA south to northwestern South Caro-
lina. T. hudsonicus has been introduced to Newfoundland
(Canada), as well as to numerous islands along the Pacifi c
coast of Canada and Alaska (USA).geographic variation: Tw e n t y-fi ve subspecies are rec-
ognized in this wide-ranging species.The eastern subspecies include the following:
T. h. hudsonicus—Manitoba and Ontario (Canada), and
northern Minnesota and northern Michigan (USA). This
form is as described above, but with the dorsal surface
rusty red from head to tail.
T. h. abieticola—southern Appalachians (USA). It is the dark-
est subspecies of T. hudsonicus, with darker and deeper
red coloration dorsally than T. h. loquax.
T. h. gymnicus—Vermont, New Hampshire, and Maine
(USA), and north in Canada to the St. Lawrence River
and Nova Scotia. This form is slightly smaller and darker
than T. h. hudsonicus, being rich rusty red above with
gray underparts in winter, and duller red above with
white underparts in summer.
T. h. laurentianus—southeastern Québec (Canada), mostly
north of the mouth of the St. Lawrence River. This form
is smaller and duller in color than T. h. ungavensis.
T. h. loquax—southern Michigan and Indiana east to New
York state and southern New England (USA), as well as
adjoining Ontario and Québec (Canada), and south to
Virginia (USA). This form is brighter red above, with the
tail less black in summer and winter than T. h. hudsonicus.
T. h. minnesota—eastern North Dakota, southern Minne-
sota, Wisconsin, northern Iowa, and northern Illinois
(USA). This form is paler in coloration than T. h. loquax.
T. h. pallescens—North Dakota (USA), plus Saskatchewan
and the Manitoba border area (Canada). It is similar to T.
h. dakotensis, but is more gray and less buff y.
T. h. regalis—Isle Royale in Lake Superior (USA). This form
is paler and less reddish than T. h. loquax.
T. h. ungavensis—northern Québec and Labrador (Canada).
This form is a much deeper red color dorsally in the win-
ter than T. h. hudsonicus, with the tail edged with ochra-
ceous buff.The western subspecies include the following:
T. h. baileyi—northcentral Montana to southcentral Wyo-
ming (USA). It is larger than T. h. hudsonicus, and darker
and more olivaceous above.