Okay I know! Another squirrel posting! But this one is so pretty! Yes, pretty enough for me to go grab my camera as it posed for me right next to my home in beautiful, evening light. But this cute little critter is not native to California. This is an eastern fox squirrel and the name alone should tell you that it does not belong on the west coast.
Both the eastern fox squirrel (Sciurus niger) and the eastern gray squirrel (Sciurus carolinensis) were brought here from the east coast in the early 1900s and since then their numbers and range continues to expand. It is the squirrel I see the most often, even in the forested area around my home. The native western gray squirrel (Sciurus griseus) however, has decreased in range and abundance. Why is this? Are the eastern squirrels entirely to blame?
The answer is no. Native western gray squirrels do not thrive well in areas with humans, requiring secluded, unfragmented stretches of mature oak trees, whereas the eastern fox squirrel has no problem being around us and urban environments.
The western gray's diet also restricts them as it consists almost entirely of acorns, pine nuts and underground fungi, all a product of trees. Eastern squirrels are not quite as selective when it comes to diet and they will add human garbage and non-native plants to the menu.
When it comes to procreation, western grays produce only one litter a year, whereas the eastern squirrels have two; an advantage over high mortality rates.
Although competition over territory and food does occur, the real issue is the decrease in native habitat, largely in part due to residential develop, drought, wildfires, invasive pests and diseases, to name a few. So less real estate available to make a home or put food on the table, leading to stress and higher than normal mortality rates.
Here is a comparison of all three species, so you can see the differences in coloration.
So what can we do to help native species such as the western gray squirrel? We can help with the de-fragmentation of their habitat by planting native trees and shrubs. We can also contact our local government agencies, asking them to plant natives as opposed to non-natives such as invasive Oleandar in our public areas.
The California Native Plant Society is a wonderful resource if you are interested in incorporating some beautiful native flora into your own gardens. https://www.cnps.org/
The wildlife will thank you for it!
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