Abert's Squirrel

Description:

Abert’s squirrel (Sciurus aberti) is a tree squirrel that is native to the North America. It is also known as the tassel-eared squirrel. Its range extends from the Rocky Mountains all the way into Mexico, with large populations appearing in Colorado, Arizona, New Mexico, and the Grand Canyon. Abert’s squirrel can reach an average body length of 1.9 feet, with a tail length of up to 9.8 inches. The most distinguishing feature of this squirrel is its ear tufts, which can reach a length of up to 1.8 inches. Its long fur is typically grey in color, with a pale or white fur on the underbelly and a visible red stripe running down the back.

Habitat:

Angel Fire, NM.

Notes:

This squirrel came down a tree in a yard I was standing near, scurried by me and dashed across the road. There it hopped up on a fence and ran along its top before vanishing into the woods behind some houses. Abert’s squirrel prefers a habitat within ponderosa pine forests, in arid and cool areas of these trees. The squirrels prefer mature trees that can produce more pinecones, which are a main source of food. The average home range of each squirrel varies depending upon its location and the seasons, but studies show that the nest habitats have ponderosa pines with a diameter of twenty inches.