American Red squirrel

Description:

One of three species of tree squirrel currently classified in the genus Tamiasciurus, known as the pine squirrels (the others are the Douglas squirrel, T. douglasiiand Mearns's squirrel, T. mearnsi). American red squirrels are also referred to as pine squirrels, North American red squirrels, boomers,[3] chickarees, and fairydiddles. They are medium-sized (200–250 g) diurnal mammals that defend a year-round exclusive territory. The diet of these tree squirrels is specialized on the seeds of conifercones. As such, they are widely distributed across North Americawherever conifers are common, except on the Pacific coast, where they are replaced by Douglas squirrels. Recently, American red squirrels have been expanding their range to include primarily hardwood areas.[4]

Habitat:

American red squirrels are widely distributed across the North American continent. Their range includes most of Canada, the southern part of Alaska, coastal British Columbia, and the Rocky Mountains and boreal forests east to the Atlantic coast.[7][8] American red squirrels are abundant and not of conservation concern throughout much of their range. However, an isolated population of red squirrels in Arizonahas experienced considerable declines in population size. In 1987, this portion of the population was listed as an endangered species.[9]