My brother suggested that the reddish tree squirrel caught in the act of raiding our suet and seed feeders in yesterday's post was likely a
Fox Squirrel,
Scirus niger. Although they're not native to Southern California, they were introduced in the early 1900s and are apparently thriving here. The article in the link suggests that this may be so because they have adapted to an environment interrupted by human habitation, and will eat things that the native Western Gray Squirrels won't. Here's the link again:
https://baynature.org/2019/05/28/are-fox-squirrels-replacing-gray-squirrels-in-california/.
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| Fox Squirrel |
This is the time of year that Big Mama, the matriarch of the local
California Ground Squirrel population, usually produces her latest litter, but we haven't seen her yet this year. She may have reached the end of her normal life span, or the very handsome Gopher Snake that inhabits our canyon may have taken her out. Or they might just be late this year.
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| Ground Squirrel |
This was Big Mama in her heyday several years ago with some of her brood. The Ground Squirrels are more gray than the Fox Squirrel and the juveniles have white spots on their backs. Their tails are also skinnier than the fluffy plume the Fox Squirrel sports.
The Ground Squirrels are the main reason Cindy built the panel system around the raised beds; they like tomatoes and blue berries as well as bird seed. The panel system has worked very well at keeping them away from the veggies, and we're hoping it will keep the Fox Squirrel out, too.
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