Eastern Grey Squirrel

Description:

The eastern gray squirrel or grey squirrel is a tree squirrel in the genus Sciurus native to the eastern and midwestern United States, and to the southerly portions of the eastern provinces of Canada.

Habitat:

In the wild, eastern gray squirrels can be found inhabiting large areas of mature, dense woodland ecosystems. These forests usually contain large amounts of dense understory vegetation that provides them sufficient amount of food sources and favorable shelters. Oak-hickory hardwood forests are preferred over coniferous forests. Eastern gray squirrels generally prefer constructing their dens upon large tree branches and within the hollow trunks of trees. They also have been known to take shelter within abandoned bird nests. The dens are usually lined with moss plants, thistledown, dried grass, and feathers. These perhaps provide and assist in the insulation of the den, used to reduce heat loss. A cover to the den is usually built afterwards. (from Wikipedia)

Notes:

We have a family of about five or six of these squirrels living in the small woodland area behind our suburban home in Webster, NY where this photos was taken. They are fairly tame and will come close to our back door looking for food as we have been setting out peanuts and other critter food for them routinely. They are easy to photograph.