Squirrels are endemic to the American continent. This animal is spread from north to south. Squirrel have various types, ranging from thick, big, and small ones. In particular there are several types of squirrel that live in America. Even some of them can only be found in America.
Because many squirrels live in America, there are many types that live in the region. One of them is a small American squirrel species. These squirrels are mini-sized and tend to be shorter than other squirrels. The small squirrel that will be mentioned below has a body weight that tends to be mild compared to other types of squirrels that live in America.
Here are the small squirrels that live in America.
- American red squirrel
The American red squirrel is one of three species of tree squirrels. The American red squirrel is variously known as the pine squirrel, North American red squirrel and chickaree. The squirrel is a small where their weight is 200–250 g. They are distributed across North America wherever conifers are common, except on the Pacific coast. The American red squirrel isn’t found on most of the Great Plains or in the south-eastern United States because conifer trees are not common in those areas. Red squirrels are little bit larger than chipmunks. In appearance, Red squirrel really has a red feather color. The color is red where is little dark similar to brick. But this feather doesn’t cover their entire body. In the abdomen, Red squirrel has white fur. Red squirrel has a few sub-types. One sub type of this type is even known to swim in the lake. The tail is less dense and can vary its color from yellowish-grey to reddish-brown. American red squirrels are primarily granivores which is they are only eating grain. They also eat a variety of mushroom species, including some that are deadly to human.
- Eastern grey squirrel
Eastern grey squirrel is a tree squirrel in the genus Sciurus. It is native to eastern North America, where it is the most prodigious and ecologically essential natural forest regenerator. The eastern grey squirrel has a grey fur color but can have a brownish color. Like most squirrels, their stomach is also white. He has a large bushy tail. Like all squirrels, east grey shows four fingers on the front foot and five on the back foot. Head and body lengths are 23 to 30 cm (9.1 to 11.8 in), tails from 19 to 25 cm (7.5 to 9.8 in), and adult weights vary between 400 and 600 g (14 and 21 oz). They also didn’t display sexual dimorphism, which means there is no gender difference in size or color. Eastern Gray Squirrel is also a hoarder, just like other squirrels. Some food reserves are temporary, especially those that are made near the location of abrupt food that can be taken in a few hours or several days. Others more permanent will not be taken until months later. Every squirrel is estimated to make several thousand food reserves every season. Squirrels have very accurate spatial memory for this food reserve location. Their smell is used to uncover their own food reserves and also to find food on another squirrel’s own. Smell can be unreliable when the soil is too dry or covered in snow.
- Ground squirrel
Ground squirrels are very small rodents and different species of ground squirrels can be found in the United States. According to other sources, ground squirrels are members of a rat squirrel family (Sciuridae) that generally live in or on the ground, not trees. The term is most commonly used for medium-sized ground squirrels, because the bigger ones are better known as guinea pigs (genus Marmota) or prairie dogs, while smaller and less dense ground squirrels tend to be known as squirrels. As their name, they usually choose to dig burrows and holes in an open environment. Its weight is only 3.5 to 4.0 ounces and is known as the smallest squirrel. They are mostly found in agricultural area but can also be seen in urban area.
Animal wealth is a miracle that God has given us, for that we need to take good care of it. Although often considered a pest, squirrel will keep hunting without harming human as long as their food supply isn’t disturbed. Some of the problems that make squirrel forced to become pest include illegal logging. Illegal logging will eliminate homes including their food reserves. Maybe you need wood to make furniture, but make sure you plant the tree again.
Our duty as human being must be wise to participate in helping the balance of nature. Remind to their small bodies, they don’t make them disappear from our protection. Having a small body clearly has a positive and negative impact. Maybe missing from our protection is a negative impact on squirrels because of their small body. But that is certainly not an excuse, right?
Squirrel hair may still be sought by people to be traded, especially in cold areas. Just make sure that you don’t do rough hunting without regard to the balance of their population.