The American Red Squirrel, or Pine Squirrel
The American Red Squirrel, Douglas Squirrel, Mearns’s Squirrel, or Pine Squirrel
Tamiasciurus Hudsonicus, Tamiasciurus Douglasii, Tamiasciurus Mearnsi
Threat: Can damage electrical wiring creating potential fire hazards. Can damage decorative aspects of buildings, if nesting inside soffits, attics, or walls. Can cause damage to flowers, plants or garden spaces due to foraging and burying of food. Can damage items and materials while collecting nesting materials.
Young Pine Squirrel In Calgary, Alberta
The Pine Squirrel is a general name for three very similar species of squirrel all native to Canada, Alaska and the north-western United States. The American Red Squirrel, the Douglas Squirrel, and the Mearns’s Squirrel are all very similar in appearance and behaviours. They are smaller squirrels than the Eastern Grey Squirrel. The Pine Squirrel’s coat is typically a reddish, or rusty brown colour, but can sometimes be black or grey as well. Pine squirrels are native to the region, and are very common in urban areas, as well as the forests and bush lands in the foothills of the Canadian Rockies.
Similar to the Eastern Grey Squirrels, Pine Squirrels are opportunistic when it comes to nesting. They will build dens or dreys in very similar locations to those of the Eastern Grey Squirrels. They also have a similar diet and foraging habits. Because the Pine Squirrel is so small, it is often able to find its way into structures where other, larger squirrels were unable to do so.
Pine squirrels tend to fill their dens up with things. Not quite as eclectic of a collector as the Pack Rat, Pine Squirrels will collect items such as pine cones, furniture stuffing, mulch, animal hair, peanut shells, and other items which they are drawn to.
While the Pine Squirrel is smaller, it is considerably more aggressive than the Eastern Grey Squirrel. While still skittish around people, and not likely to bite or attack unless completely cornered, the Pine Squirrel will get quite close to people and is not shy about voicing disapproval when a person is too close to its den or offspring.
