Western gray squirrel [1] ( lat. Sciurus griseus , “gray squirrel”) is a species of rodent squirrel family.
| Western gray squirrel |
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| Scientific classification |
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| No rank : | Bilateral symmetrical |
| Squadron : | Euarchontoglires |
| View: | Western gray squirrel |
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| International scientific name |
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Sciurus griseus ( Ord , 1818) |
| Security status |
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Least ConcernedIUCN 3.1 Least Concern : 20011 |
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Content
The largest representative of the genus protein. The total body length is from 50 to 60 cm, the tail is from 24 to 30 cm long, the length of the hind feet is from 6.7 to 8.3 cm, the length of the ears is from 2.8 to 3.9 cm, the weight is from 520 to 942 g
Sexual dimorphism is not expressed. The back is monotonously silver-gray, the belly is pure white. The ears are large, the tassels on the ears are missing. The tail is long. Around the eyes is a white ring. Rainbows are yellow. Dental formula : {\ displaystyle I {1 \ over 1} C {0 \ over 0} P {2 \ over 1} M {3 \ over 3} = 22} .
The species is common in Mexico and the United States both on the plain and in the highlands at an altitude of 2500 m above sea level. It is found in oak-coniferous light forests and in mixed coniferous forests, as well as in a mixed forest formed from plane tree , poplar and walnut .
It feeds on seeds of coniferous trees ( Menzies pseudotug , balsam fir , Sith spruce , spherical eucalyptus , genera Tsuga and Pinus ). In the autumn hides some cones for use in the winter. Also eats seeds, berries ( red mulberry , Phoradendron flavescens ), buds, leaves ( Montia perfoliata , medium asterisk ), bark, nuts ( Juglans hindsii , Carya pecan , almonds , yellow pine, Sabina pine , large-fruited cypress ), acorns ( Quercus lobata) , Quercus kelloggii ), lionfish ( silver maple , American elm ), catkins ( Quercus lobata ), insects and mushrooms also come for food.
Puberty occurs between the ages of 10 and 11 months. Males can fertilize females only at the end of the second year of life.
The mating season begins on New Year's Eve. In the more northern regions, due to a rather long winter, it is shifted to June. Animals are polygamous. After a gestation period of approximately 43 to 45 days, the female gives birth to 2 to 5 cubs. Each weighs about 15 g. Care for them is carried out exclusively by the female for 3 months. Cubs are developing slowly compared to other proteins. Thus, they leave their mother only at the age of 3 months and do not leave their nest during the first 6 weeks of life.
The natural enemies of the species are cat , red-tailed buzzard , golden eagle and coyote . Other possible predators are the goshawk , the Virginian eagle owl , the gray fox , the American marten, and the ilka . Other factors of mortality are illness and collisions with the car.
Food competitors of the species are ant melanerpes , California gopher ( Otospermophilus beecheyi ) and imported species of fox squirrel and Caroline squirrel . Harvesting and predation by domestic cats also pose a threat to the species.
- ↑ Complete Illustrated Encyclopedia. "Mammals" Prince. 2 = The New Encyclopedia of Mammals / Ed. D. MacDonald . - M .: Omega, 2007 .-- S. 441. - 3000 copies. - ISBN 978-5-465-01346-8 .
