Douglas's Squirrel (Tamiasciurus douglasii) lives in coniferous old‑growth and mature second‑growth forests across Pacific coastal US states and southwestern British Columbia. Its conservation status is Least Concern.
Fascinating facts about the Douglas's Squirrel
- In winter, each squirrel occupies a territory of about 10 000 square metres, but during the breeding season a mated pair will defend a single territory together. The average territory ranges from 10,000-15,000 m². This huge personal space explains why old-growth forests, with plenty of trees to claim, are essential for their survival.
- Douglas squirrels are larder hoarders, storing their food in a single location or 'larder' called a midden. As the squirrel peels the scales of cones to get at the seeds, the discarded scales accumulate into piles that can grow to several meters across as the same site is used by generations of squirrels.
- Mating can occur as early as February. Gestation is about four weeks, and the young (which are altricial) are weaned at about eight weeks of age. There may be up to six kits in a litter, though four is more usual. In the southern and lower parts of their range, they produce two litters each year. Gestation actually ranges from 36 to 40 days and litter size averages 4-6.
- At full maturity, it is about 33 cm (13 in) in length (including its tail, which is about 13 cm (5 in) long), and weighs between 150 and 300 g (5.3 and 10.6 oz). The adult body length ranges from 270 to 355 mm and weight range is 141-312 g.
- In eating the fruiting bodies of fungi, Douglas squirrels may help to distribute the fungi's spores through their feces. They probably also help disperse conifer seeds in carrying cones to their caches.
Sources
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At a glance
RangePacific coastal US states and southwestern British Columbia
HabitatConiferous old‑growth and mature second‑growth forests
DietConifer seeds nuts
About the Douglas's Squirrel
In the sun-dappled forests of the Pacific coast, the Douglas's squirrel darts with reckless abandon, its tiny paws barely touching the ground as it weaves a frenetic path through the underbrush. With a twitch of its bushy tail and a flick of its ear, this diminutive creature embodies the very essence of woodland vitality, its bright, inquisitive eyes drinking in every detail of its surroundings. As it leaps from branch to branch, its tiny heart pounding with excitement, the Douglas's squirrel is a whirlwind of energy and joy, a true marvel of nature's ingenuity.
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