Common Name:
Eastern grey squirrel
Scientific Name:
Sciurus carolinensis
Unique Qualities:
The Eastern grey squirrel is an important part of the cycle of growth of forests. It feeds on the nuts of trees, and stores the nuts for the winter by digging holes in the ground and burying them individually. Before it buries the nuts the Eastern grey squirrel bites off the germinating tip of the nut. It uses its strong sense of smell, not memory, to recover the nuts, and only recovers about 85% of them. The nuts that are left behind are then able to germinate and grow into a tree. The Eastern grey squirrel uses its tail to balance in trees. It also uses it as an umbrella, a blanket, a rudder when swimming and to shade itself from the sun; it gives lift when the squirrel leaps from branch to branch and slows descent should the squirrel falls.
Can be Seen:
The Eastern grey squirrel is native to central and eastern North America, from southern Canada to as far west as Manitoba, and south to the Gulf of Mexico. It has been introduced to western North America, Europe, South Africa and Australia.
Likes to Hang Out:
The Eastern grey squirrel likes to hang out in hardwood or mixed forests with nut trees, especially oak-hickory forests. It lives in tree dens all year long. It also likes to hang out in old woodpecker holes, or leaf nests in mature trees or standing dead trees, especially white oaks, beeches, elms, and red maples.
Likes to Eat:
Eastern grey squirrels like to eat hickory nuts, beechnuts, acorns, and walnuts. It also likes to eat maple buds, bark, and samaras, flowers, buds, tulip tree blossoms, apples, fungi, and a wide variety of seeds, as well as the occasional insect.
Status:
The Eastern grey squirrel is abundant and not threatened. This squirrel is an important agent of reforestation.
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