Wildlife Wednesday - Squirrel Appreciation
By Andy Ames
Last Sunday, January 21, was “squirrel appreciation day”. While all the ground squirrels of the Estes Valley spend the winter hibernating under ground, our tree squirrels can be observed year round. The Estes Valley is home to two native tree squirrels - the Pine squirrel and Abert’s squirrel. How they live and where they are found differs between the two, however. The Pine squirrel is Colorado’s smallest tree squirrel (typically less than 1/2 pound) but makes up for it with loud territorial chirping. The Abert’s squirrel is considerably bigger at well over a pound. While both squirrels inhabit forests with interlocking canopy’s, the Abert’s is found almost exclusively in Ponderosa pines while the Pine squirrel can be found in all types (except those occupied by Abert’s). The Pine squirrel is territorial and occupies a small home range of only 1-2 acres. The Abert’s squirrel is primarily solitary, though not territorial, and lives over a much larger home range of 20-90 acres. Behaviorally, one of the biggest differences can be observed now. The Pine squirrel is busily caching food while the Abert’s squirrel relies on twigs and inner bark of the Ponderosa to make it through the winter.
If you are out hiking you are likely to see their tracks. Pine squirrel tracks are often seen going from the base of one tree to the next or from one log to another. With their small territories you can find their favorite feeding spots by the pine cone debris scattered below a particular roost. Abert’s squirrels are much more elusive, spending much of their time high up in the trees. You can occasionally find their tracks around the base of Ponderosa pines, however.
While “squirrel appreciation day” only comes around once a year, just remember that you can really appreciate squirrels every day!
Pine squirrel, aka Chickaree, aka Red squirrel. These squirrels in our are typically grey with a white belly, especially in their winter pelage.
The Abert’s squirrels in our area are typically black but can also be found in grey or brown coats.
In late summer and early fall Pine squirrels harvest green pine cones to prevent the release of seeds. When Pine squirrels are busy you may hear a rain of pine cones hitting the ground. They can cut off a pine cone in only a couple of seconds.
Abert’s squirrels are known as the squirrel of the Ponderosa pine forest which provides them with food, shelter, and protection. They feed on Ponderosa seeds, young cones, buds, and twigs and inner bark.
Both Pine squirrels and Abert’s squirrels feed on fungi as part of their diet.
Abert’s squirrels are solitary animals but can occasionally be seen in numbers.
The Pine squirrel is Colorado’s smallest tree squirrel.
The Pine squirrel is also known as the Red squirrel. Here you can see a little red in this one’s coat.