American red squirrel

Common

Coniferous, deciduous, and mixed forests

Usually less than 5 years

This is a small, noisy tree squirrel, the smallest of the tree squirrels of its range.

At maturity it is 11″ to 13¾″ long including the tail.

The head and body are 7″ to 8″ long. In summer the back and sides are dull grayish- to greenish red. In winter they are orangish-red. The head is slightly darker and grayer with and there is a prominent white ring around each eye. The underside is white. There is a narrow black band, separating the brown upperside from the white underside, that is visible only in the summer. The legs and feet are yellowish brown.

The tail is 4″ to 6″ long. The upperside is reddish-brown bordered with black and cinnamon. The underside is gray tinged with cinnamon. In winter the fur colors are brighter.

The ears are moderate in size and somewhat pointed. In wither there are tufts of fur on the tips.

This pine squirrel is easily recognized by its small size, its red upperside, and its drawn-out, rachet-like chatter.

Nests are usually made by lining a tree hollow. Sometimes a hollow log is used, sometimes a leaf nest is built. The female has one litter of usually 2 to 5 in mid-January to mid-February. The young leave the nest after 40 days. Up to 75% die from predation in the first year. Those that survive may live up to 9 years, though few live more than 5 years.

Sources: 7, 13, 15, 24, 29.

Northern red squirrel (Tamiasciurus hudsonicus hudsonicus) range is restricted to the northeastern and northcentral counties.

Minnesota red squirrel (Tamiasciurus hudsonicus minnesota) range includes all but the northeastern and northcentral counties.

A Red Squirrel in The Big Stone National Wildlife Refuge climbing on a tree stump screaming out a warning to another hidden nearby, I back away and the other Red Squirrel ran to safety from the deep grass along the road.

Red Squirrel, February 2016, never seen one before or since. Extremely fast at running away with the peanuts!

Napping on a hot day.

Napping with a black squirrel after foraging together.

Cascade SP residents include a variety of squirrels. These were captured with a Sony CD1000 digital camera in June of 2001.

Red Squirrel in Maplewood Hts Park. They are feisty critters and can be destructive to property, but they will deter the larger gray squirrels.

Location: Big Stone National Wildlife Refuge

A Red Squirrel in The Big Stone National Wildlife Refuge climbing on a tree stump screaming out a warning to another hidden nearby, I back away and the other Red Squirrel ran to safety from the deep grass along the road.

Location: Cass County

Location: Cass County

Napping on a hot day.

Location: Maplewood Heights Park

They are feisty critters and can be destructive to property, but they will deter the larger gray squirrels.

Location: Maple Grove, MN

Red Squirrel, February 2016, never seen one before or since. Extremely fast at running away with the peanuts!

Location: Cascade River State Park

Cascade SP residents include a variety of squirrels. These were captured with a Sony CD1000 digital camera in June of 2001.