The gray squirrel was first introduced to Vancouver Island about 25 years ago and has spread across the southern Island since then. They are now starting to show up on the North Island. It is larger than the red or Douglas Squirrels and is usually gray or black. They sometimes will be almost black with a light colour tail.
This species defends no territory, and they pretty much go where they please. The native Vancouver Island squirrels spend a lot of energy guarding their territories against the gray squirrel. This reduces their success in gathering winter food.
They are opportunistic omnivores, eating vegetable foods most of the time. They are said to consume the eggs & young birds, but there is some doubt whether they do more harm in this than the native red squirrel.
Gray squirrels are known to build leaf platforms on branches of trees during summer, where they like to sit and watch the world go by.
When you are in Victoria, you should make a trip to Beacon Hill Park. The gray squirrels there are quite friendly and will eat right out of your hand. I was there a few years back, before my knee operation. I had one run up my leg and sat on the top of my leg brace. As he sat there eating my offers of treats, I heard the clicking of many cameras.
I look at where the sounds were coming from and saw that a tour bus had just let a large group of young Asian girls off the bus. They were all taking photos of this dear little squirrel. I would suspect that he is quite famous in their home country now.