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Eurasian red squirrel
Sciurus vulgaris is considered to be one of the most variable
mammals of the Palearctic region, at least in physical appearance.
The coat color of these squirrels varies from light-red to black on
their heads and backs. All S. vulgaris except those that may be
completely melanistic, have white or creamy fur on their stomachs.
Like many other tree squirrels, S. vulgaris has long tufts of hair
on its ears and long furry tail. In most areas where S. vulgaris are
common, such as Central Europe, the pelage coloration of individuals
varies from red to black, with individuals of many differently color
morphs co-occurring. However, in many areas, all S. vulgaris have
almost identically colored coats. Examples of populations in which
all of the squirrels share the same coat color can be found in Great
Britain, where only red members of this species live; and in the
Sila region of Southern Italy, where only black S. vulgaris are
found. The body hair of S. vulgaris changes twice annually, while
the tail hair changes only once. The winter coat covers more of the
soles of the feet, has longer ear tufts, and is thicker than the
spring/summer coat. The shedding and growing of hair can be delayed
or aborted by a lack of food, diseases, or parasitic infestation
during the spring or late fall when S. vulgaris individuals normally
grow a new coat. The size of the skull also varies between regions.
Average skull size in S. vulgaris populations increases from north
to south throughout Eurasia
Reproduction
When a female comes into estrous, the usually non-gregarious males
gather in her home range to compete for the opportunity to mate with
her. After mating occurs, male squirrels return to their home
ranges.
Female S. vulgaris give birth to an average of two litters per year,
of usually 5-7 young. The gestation period of S. vulgaris is 38-39
days. The young weigh 8-12g at birth and are born hairless and
blind. Their auditory canals are unopened, and their ears are
undeveloped and lay flat against their head. The young squirrels'
eyes open after 30 days, at which time they become active cleaning
themselves and moving around the nest. After 45 days the young
voluntarily leave the nest for the first time. At this point the
young also begin to eat solid food. By eight to ten weeks of age S.
vulgaris are fully weaned and independent, even though they tend to
remain near their mothers for some time. Young become reproductively
mature within a year.
Eurasian red squirrels are cared for and nursed by their mother in
her nest during the first few months of their lives.
The mortality rate of young S. vulgaris is high, due to heavy
predation by birds and mammals, with less than one in four surviving
to their first birthday. Although adults can live for 6 to 7 years
in the wild, and longer in captivity, most individuals probably only
live for several years.
Behavior
The daily activities of S. vulgaris center around obtaining food.
They are normally most active in the morning and late afternoon when
they consume the most food. During spring and summer, S. vulgaris
rest in their nests during the mid-day hours to avoid the extreme
heat. During the winter, however, the mid-day rest may be very short
or absent. While these squirrels spend most of their time in the
trees, they do come to the ground when necessary to search for food
or to bury food items such as acorns and nuts. While S. vulgaris do
not hibernate, they stay in their nests and rest when there are bad
storms or high speed winds that would make traveling amongst the
tree branches dangerous, coming out only when they have to come out
to find food. Female S. vulgaris also stay in their nest for
extended periods of time to care for their young. Sciurus vulgaris
and other tree squirrels are not found in groups, except when males
gather within a female's home range to compete for the opportunity
to mate with her. They are not territorial and the home ranges of
individuals may overlap considerably.
Food Habits
Sciurus vulgaris regularly forage on coniferous seeds, beechnuts,
acorns, and nuts. They have a specialized technique for opening nuts
that utilizes the power of the lower incisors. With practice they
are able to open a nut in just a few seconds. The dietary habits of
these squirrels varies greatly according to the region in which they
live and with the availability of different foods. When their
regular dietary staples are not available, S. vulgaris eat mushrooms
and other fungi, the eggs found in birds' nests, and garden flowers
and vegetables. Sciurus vulgaris have also been observed peeling the
bark off conifers and licking the trees' juices. Like most
squirrels, S. vulgaris store food supplies by burying them in the
ground or hiding them in the bark of trees. Young squirrels learn
what food sources to eat from their mothers. As S. vulgaris get
older they become more reluctant to accept new and strange food
sources. The daily food intake of S. vulgaris varies depending upon
the time of year. They eat the most food in the spring (80g per
day), and the least in the winter (35g per day).
In captivity they should be offered a complete diet of rodent lab blocks, and rat or mouse
mix, with bits of fruit or veggies regularly. Cheerios or wheat
bread are great treats, in small quantities. Do NOT feed chocolate,
fried foods, salted foods, candy or junk food! They may enjoy
crickets and mealworms if they are captive bred, never feed wild
insects as they may carry parasites. Vitamins, like Nutri-Cal are a good addition to their diet, and added calcium
during nursing and growth due to demands on their systems at those
times, but take care not to overdo it. Water bottles should be used
to proved constant, clean water. Ceramic or stoneware food dishes
work well for keeping seeds or fresh foods off the floor, and a wire
mesh hopper that allows them to eat the lab blocks through without
extra waste.
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