Tamiasciurus hudsonicus

Common

Coniferous, deciduous, and mixed forests

Usually less than 5 years

Head and body: 7″ to 8″

Tail: 4″ to 6″

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.

Tamiasciurus hudsonicus hudsonicus range is restricted to the northeastern and northcentral counties.

Tamiasciurus hudsonicus Minnesota range includes all but the northeastern and northcentral counties.

Subspecies
There are 25 or 27 (depending on author) subspecies of this pine squirrel. Only two, Tamiasciurus hudsonicus hudsonicus and Tamiasciurus hudsonicus Minnesota occur in Minnesota.