Kaibab Squirrel
Kingdom
Phylum
Subphylum
Class
Order
Family
Genus
SPECIES
Sciurus aberti kaibabensis
Population size
Unknown

The Kaibab squirrel (Sciurus aberti kaibabensis) is an elusive isolated tassel-eared squirrel that lives in the Kaibab Plateau. It is now considered a subspecies of the Abert's squirrel (Sciurus aberti). This squirrel is not found anywhere else in the world. In 1965, 200,000 acres (810 km2) of Kaibab squirrel habitat within Grand Canyon National Park and Kaibab National Forest were declared the Kaibab Squirrel National Natural Landmark.

Di

Diurnal

He

Herbivore

Gr

Granivore

Li

Lignivore

My

Mycophage

Fr

Frugivore

Vi

Viviparous

Ar

Arboreal

Te

Terrestrial

Al

Altricial

Sc

Scansorial

Zo

Zoochory

So

Solitary

No

Not a migrant

K

starts with

Appearance

Kaibab squirrels usually have a black belly (which is sometimes gray), striking white tail, tufted ears, and chestnut brown back. The tufts on the ears grow longer with age and may extend 2.5 to 5.1 cm (1 to 2 inches) above the ears in the winter, and may not be visible in the summer.

Distribution

Geography

These squirrels live in the Kaibab Plateau in the Southwest United States, in an area of 32 by 64 km (20 by 40 miles). They inhabit entirely the ponderosa pine forests of the North Rim of Grand Canyon National Park and the northern section of Kaibab National Forest around the town of Jacob Lake, Arizona.

Climate zones

Habits and Lifestyle

Kaibab squirrels are solitary for much of the year but in winter they may sometimes share nests with their conspecifics. They are usually silent and are active during the day. They spend their time moving among tree branches and on the ground searching for food. They don't hibernate and don't store food. They usually return to their nests before the sunset.

Seasonal behavior

Diet and Nutrition

Kaibab squirrels are herbivores (granivores, lignivores, mycophages, frugivores). They eat mainly the seeds found within ponderosa pine cones and supplement their diet with acorns, fruit, and fungi (especially an underground truffle), as well as the seeds, bark, and twigs of the trees.

Mating Habits

FEMALE NAME
doe
MALE NAME
buck
BABY NAME
pup, kit, kitten

Kaibab squirrels build their nests in trees out of twigs and pine needles, usually on a large limb against the bole, or in the forks of smaller branches. Nests are roughly spherical and a small platform often extends beyond the bowl edge on one side. Young squirrels are born between April and August. They are born naked, with ears and eyes closed.

Population

Population threats

Kaibab squirrels are not considered threatened at present.

Population number

The IUCN Red List and other sources don’t provide the number of the Kaibab squirrel total population size.

Ecological niche

Kaibab squirrels, ponderosa pines, and the fungi that grow in the vicinity of the ponderosas exist in a symbiotic relationship. The squirrels depend on the trees for nests which they use as night shelters and for rarering their young. They also help to disperse the seeds of ponderosa pine cones.

Coloring Pages

References

1. Kaibab squirrel Wikipedia article - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kaibab_squirrel

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