Red Squirrel
Last Update/Review: June 3, 2002
Tamiasciurus hudsonicus
The
red squirrel is easily identified by its reddish- to greyish-brown
coat on the back and head that contrasts with the pure white coat on
its throat and belly. It is about 30 centimetres long from tip of nose
to tip of tail, and weighs about 235 grams. Its tail makes up almost
half of its length, and is used for balance as the squirrel jumps from
tree branch to tree branch in its arboreal habitat.
Red squirrels eat mainly seeds and nuts, especially those of spruce and pine cones. They also eat a wide variety of other foods, such as mushrooms, flowers and fruits, as well as insects, birds' eggs and young birds in nests.
Unlike some other squirrels, such as ground squirrels and chipmunks, red squirrels do not hibernate and are active throughout the year.
Red squirrels breed in March or April. Four to five pups are born in May or early June in the cavity of a tree, or in a nest built on the branch of a tree.
Trapping
Red squirrel pelts are used as inner linings in the fur garments of other species. In 2000-2001, Alberta trappers produced 40 999 red squirrel pelts at a mean price of $2.19 per pelt, or a total production for the province of $89 788.
Squirrels are trapped from early November to late February. Red squirrel pelts are in their prime from early November to mid-January.
