Squirrels are a diverse group of rodents. So diverse, in fact, many have difficulty distinguishing the various types. How knowledgeable are you on the squirrel species?
There are 3 types of squirrels, classified by body form:
- Tree squirrels
The most common and commonly seen squirrel, tree squirrels are skilled climbers. They come in an array of colors including red, white, black, gray, and brown, boasting a long body, large bushy tails, long ears, and sharp claws.
- Flying squirrels
Despite their name, flying squirrels are not capable of true flight. Instead they glide between trees, assisted by their identifying features – a thin membrane of skin that stretches between their wrists and ankles, allowing them to glide between trees, and large black eyes which they use for nocturnal activity. Of the two types of flying squirrels in the U.S., Northern flying squirrels are the predominant type in our area. They tend to live in areas plentiful in spruces, fir, and hemlock.
- Ground squirrels
Stocky in body form with muscular hind legs, ground squirrels are adapted to burrowing. The diverse family of ground squirrels includes prairie dogs/marmots, groundhogs/woodchucks, and chipmunks. They vary widely in size and habitat but generally live in the ground. If you have piles of dirt in your yard and plants are ailing, you may have a ground squirrel problem.
Squirrels making you nutty? Contact Allison Pest Control today.
