Squirrel

Class: Mammals

Order: Rodents

Family: Sciuridae

Weight: 250-340 g

Height: Up to 30 cm

Body length: 19.5-28 cm

Coloration: In summer, they exhibit reddish, brown, or dark brown tones; in winter, they turn gray and black, sometimes with a brownish tint.

Age of sexual maturity: 30-40 days

Gestation period: 22-39 days

Lifespan: Up to 12 years

Habitat: Squirrels are widely distributed around the world. The only regions they do not inhabit are Antarctica and Australia. They primarily live in forested areas since most of their diet grows on trees.

Diet: Mushrooms, acorns, pine cones, nuts

Did You Know?

• To survive the winter, a single squirrel needs about 3,000 nuts.
• Baby squirrels are born with well-developed claws but are completely blind.
• Squirrels molt twice a year, but the fur on their tails changes only once a year.
• A squirrel’s tail serves as a rudder when it makes jumps.