Squirrel Biofacts Flashcards
Weight of fox squirrel
1.3-2.8 lbs
Which is larger- fox squirrel or gray squirrel?
fox squirrel
On the fox squirrel, what part of its body is colored cinnamon
the feet
Weight of gray squirrel
.07-1.3 lbs
Breeding peaks
July-September and December-February
Gestation period
42-45 days
How many squirrels are born at a time?
2-4
When do the eyes open?
5 weeks
When do they start climbing?
7-8 weeks
venture the ground at how old?
10 weeks
weaned at how old?
12 weeks
When do they become mature?
10-11 months
When does feeding start?
morning and late afternoon
When does mass migration occur?
when food supply is depleted
What percent of young squirrels make up the yearly population?
60%
A population of how many squirrels per acre is considered good?
one squirrel per acre
What are some external parasites that have rendered squirrels to breed?
mites, chiggers, and fleas
What is the daily food requirement?
0.2 lbs
What is the main food stay and what percent do they make up of the total weight?
Acorns; 60%
How old do trees have to be to make acorns?
25 years
How do they get their calcium?
eating antlers, bones, seeds, and fruit
What is the preferred food?
Pecans
The best habitat is mature woods or irreguarly shaped tracts of how many acres?
15-20 acres
Gray squirrels prefer cover found along what?
streams
What is preffered for nurseries?
Hollow trees
Production is how much more successful in tree cavities than leaf nests?
2 1/2
How old do trees need to be in order to produce tree cavities?
40 yrs old
An area needs what percent of hardwood trees to maintain good habitat?
5-10%
Is water required daily?
no
How long can they go without water?
several weeks
Fox squirrel range over a year?
40 acres
Average and minimum range of a fox squirrel?
10 acres; minimum 2 acres
average and minimum range of a gray squirrel?
8 acres; minimum 2 acres
Gray squirrel range over a year?
20 acres
What management practice will minimize competition?
proper grazing
during site prepartion, leave areas undisturbed or how many feet on each side of drains and areas on steep slopes?
100-150
