Red Squirrel
Tamiasciurus hudsonicus or Pine Squirrel, Chickaree

Description - The red squirrel is rust-red to greyish-red above being brightest on the sides, white or greyish-white below and the tail is similar to the back color but is outlined with a broad, black band edged in white. The coat is duller in the summer and a black line separated the back and underbelly colours. The average red squirrel weighs 7-12 ounces.

Distribution - The red squirrel is abundant in any kind of forest, coniferous, pine, mixed or hardwood forests, often around buildings. They occur through much of Canada and most of B.C.

Biology - This creature feeds heavily on pine seeds and in the fall it cuts green cones and buries them in damp earth ; other sustenance includes nuts, seeds, birds' eggs, young birds and fungi. It makes a nest of leaves in a hollow or fallen tree, hole in the ground or tree crotch. 3-7 young are born in March or April and there is sometimes a second litter in August or September. The squirrel is a chatterbox with a variety of calls to announce its home range or the presence of intruders.

Tracks - Tracks are common between trees and near holes in the ground where they have dug up buried cones. Squirrels place their feet next to each other rather than one in front of the other. In deep snow their tracks are characterized by two diamond shapes next to one another. A clear imprint will reveal five long toes with claws similar to the skeleton of a human hand and may or may not have a heel print. The heel is as long again as the toes and a rough oval shape.

Straddle: 8 - 12 cm (3.2 - 4.8 in)
Stride: 13 - 25 cm (5.2 - 10 in)
Track: Front - 3 cm (1.2 in) long / 3 cm (1.2 in) wide
Track: Rear - 4.5 cm (1.8 in) long / 2.5 cm (1 in) wide