(Sciurus vulgaris)
The Red Squirrel is grey to rusty red on top, white or grayish-white underneath, and its tail is similar to its back fur. The coat is noticeably duller in summer.
Douglas squirrels are abundant in any type of forest (coniferous, pine, mixed, or hardwood), and are often around buildings. They inhabit much of Canada, most of BC, and all of Vancouver Island.
This animal feeds heavily on pine seeds, and in the fall, it cuts green cones and buries them in damp earth. Its other foods include nuts, seeds, bird eggs, young birds, & fungi.
It builds its nest of leaves in a hollow tree, a hole in the ground, or a tree crotch. There are 3 – 7 young born in March or April, with sometimes a second litter being born in August or September.
The squirrel is a chatterbox with a variety of calls to announce its home range or the presence of intruders. I love hearing them telling each other that we are in their forest!
Great website, I’ve enjoyed a number of your articles and photos on here! Just wanted to note that here on Vancouver Island (and across the country) we have Red Squirrels (Tamiasciurus hudsonicus) with the whitish belly. Douglas squirrels (Tamiasciurus douglasii) have the yellower bellies and, in BC, are found only on the south coast mainland area. I’ve seen a number of people use the names interchangeably but they are in fact different species. 🙂
Your right.