Squirrel - description, habitat, lifestyle

Squirrel means a fairly energetic animal that conquers people with its fluffy tail and habits. The individuals of the presented family have distinctive characteristics that make it possible to distinguish them among the self-similar. Fortunately, zoologists studied the protein along and across, and therefore finding information about them does not seem difficult. We will analyze everything that affects the representatives of the group so that you make up your own opinion.

Description

1. Individuals are distinguished by their thick and beautiful fur, as well as an elongated tail format. They are similar to similar varieties, in the format of the body slim and fit. About 17 cm are allotted to the tail. This is more than 2/3 of the total body length. The tail has an elongated outer hair, but looks flattened, since these same hairs grow to the sides.
2. The animal itself is stretched in length up to 28 cm. At maximum performance. Over the course of the life cycle, the mass constantly increases, reaching 0.3 kg., Sometimes more. It all depends on the habitat and diet of the animal. The head is rounded in format, the eyes in the form of beads are pigmented with dark. The ears are protruded and protruding, at the ends there are brushes made of hairs. In winter, they are especially noticeable.
3. Representatives of the mustache family are not deprived. They have increased sensitivity, helping animals to navigate and feel the world around them. As for pigmentation, individuals are stained with a tan tone. Their abdomen is brightened and differs from the rest of the body.
4. The limbs located in front, shortened, which can not be said about the rear. The paws are equipped with sharp claws to help climb trees. In the winter, individuals become more fluffy in individuals; it also changes in structure. In the summer, it becomes shortened, gains stiffness and thins.
5. There are quite a few variations in staining, but for the most part, individuals are dark brown, reddish or brownish brown. In the cold season, the coat is endowed with undercoat, painted grayish or even black. Among the variety of individuals, there are also those that have beautiful bright spots scattered throughout the body. Some albino proteins, that is, their fur is devoid of pigment.
6. Wool cover is replaced 2 times each year. This feature is characteristic of all individuals belonging to the represented family. The hairs on the tail are replaced less frequently than on the body. This process occurs once a year. In the middle or at the end of spring time, the first molt originates. The second is in the fall.
7. The change of fur occurs due to a change in the duration of daylight hours. Due to the production of special substances, molting is started. Usually in individuals of male gender, this feature begins earlier. First, the hair on the head is replaced, then there are changes in the body, at the very end the fur cover of the tail is replaced. But in molting in the fall, everything happens the other way around.
8. The duration of the fur change varies greatly and can vary due to various factors that the proteins cannot do with. We are talking about the quality of the food supply, periods of rest or lack thereof, the area of ​​distribution and even mood. If there is not enough food, the change of coat will start late. It will end too late.

Behavior

1. The individuals of the species under discussion are included in the category of mobile animals, but geographically they do not mark their possessions. As a rule, the plots interbreed, so squirrels from one group are often located on the territory of a neighboring family or flock.
2. At lunchtime, activity is minimal, it is gaining momentum in the evening, as well as in the morning. Animals live in trees, deftly moving from one branch to another. Food is also sought in the forest strip. Finding food takes about 70% of the time. Squirrels spend all other hours on rest and games.
3. When an animal notices danger, it immediately hides above. Usually shelter are thick tree crowns that are not visible to enemies. Also, animals often jump from one branch to another, overcoming from 3 to 12 meters in one go. It all depends on the trajectory. The tail in this case serves as a balancer, a rudder.
4. These animals are touched by their habits, as well as increased intelligence. They protect themselves and relatives, looking for a threat and warning the family about it. In the winter, you can see how the animals jump on the branches, so as not to freeze the limbs. If there is no snow on the ground, then individuals move along such a surface by jumping.
5. When frosts take you by surprise, the squirrels take their time to leave their shelter. They fall into the so-called half-hibernation. Warm up and do not move until the weather improves. Only tireless hunger can push these individuals to leave their homes and go in search of food.

Accommodation

1. The dwelling of the animals of the presented species is located upstairs. Individuals build their shelter on trees. When living in larch trees, they choose hollows that will accommodate the whole family. Fill your house with sawdust, dried foliage, lichen and blade of grass.
2. If we are talking about living in a coniferous strip, then the animals are engaged in the construction of nests. Sometimes dwellings in diameter reach 0.3 m and even more. Since individuals feel great at the top, they select an area 12 meters above the ground for nesting. The format of the final house is spherical, inside filled with wool, grass and leaves.
3. Some members of the family do not even bother with creating their own homes. They occupy an empty birdhouse, equip it in their own way. As a rule, males are prone to such habits. They are looking for nests left from starlings. Ravens and blackbirds can also take places.
4. Specialists involved in the study of individuals discussed, came to the conclusion that there are several houses per member of the pack. For safety reasons, animals change their shelters every few days. When a female becomes a mother, she takes the squirrels in the teeth and transfers them to a new house. Despite the fact that the animals are loners, they can be inhabited by 5 individuals and live comfortably.

Migration

1. Migration originates at the end of summer or in the fall. However, in case of unforeseen and dangerous situations, for example, fires or large-scale deforestation, animals leave their nesting sites ahead of schedule. Also, a lack of food supply and drinking, drought, and unsuitable climatic conditions can serve as a provocateur factor for relocation.
2. Animals do not travel great distances in order to improve their living conditions. They find a forest nearby and are slowly moving into it. However, sometimes there are situations when individuals need to overcome a couple of hundred kilometers in search of a better life.
3. When the movement originates, the animals leave one at a time. They are stretched into a long column, which has a leader and a member of the pack, completing the campaign. They can go astray en masse only when an obstacle is seen ahead.
4. Relocation data checks each member of the family, as they say, for strength. Often in the process of transitions, animals die from lack of food, severe weather conditions. They drown and freeze, fall on the teeth of predators and simply can not cope with obstacles in their path.
5. In addition to the migration of the adult generation, young growth is also subject to this.He does not go further than 70 kilometers from his usual home in order to have a connection with the older generation in the future. There are those squirrels who do not want to migrate. They remain in their previous places and try to create a high-quality forage base.
6. It is noteworthy that the considered individuals in the wild have a relatively short lifespan. Already old animals are considered at the age of 4 years. Moreover, of the total number of animals, such centenarians, there are only 10%. As for the content in captivity, in this case the squirrels live to 12 years due to the lack of natural enemies.

Area

1. The considered individuals have about 40 subspecies. Moreover, such animals inhabit almost the entire Eurasian continent. Animals are found from the shores of the Atlantic to Sakhalin and Kamchatka. Such animals are not uncommon in the Far East and Siberia.
2. In Kamchatka, the animals presented appeared around 1924. Such individuals were able to adapt to life even in the Tien Shan. As for the Crimea and the Caucasus, proteins in such areas are not uncommon. Animals mainly live in orchards and vineyards.
3. The rest of the discussed individuals prefer to live in the forests. Most often, animals are found in coniferous-deciduous massifs. In this area there is a huge amount of food supply. Only closer to the northern regions the habitat density of animals is reduced.

Nutrition

1. The presented animals have rather extensive gastronomic preferences. Moreover, in most cases, animals prefer coniferous seeds. In warmer regions, the considered individuals often regale themselves with nuts and acorns.
2. When there is not enough favorite food, the animals begin to feast on rhizomes, young shoots and buds. Squirrels also love berries, plants, mushrooms, lichens and various tubers. During the mating season, such animals feed on insects, larvae, and even chicks.
3. Otherwise, the animals presented are very prudent. Closer to winter, such animals begin to stock up on food. Most often, various cones, nuts, acorns, and various roots act as food. In addition, the animals dry the mushrooms and hang them everywhere.
4. The problem is that the individuals represented have a very short memory, so they constantly forget the whereabouts of their stash. Sometimes animals come across such treasures. Also, nestles are often found by other forest inhabitants.

Breeding

1. The presented individuals are highly fertile. Two offspring can be bred in animals per year. In the southern regions, the animals have up to 3 litters at all. Only the Yakut squirrel brings only one offspring per year.
2. The mating season in individuals begins depending on their habitat. Often this time comes at the end of winter or the beginning of spring. All this ends only at the end of summer. As a rule, up to 6 males fight for the attention of the female.
3. Between individuals of the stronger sex, peculiar games and skirmishes occur. Do not worry, animals do not suffer from this in any way. After the female chose a companion, they begin to build their own home. After a month and a half, young animals are born.
4. After the female feeds the first offspring, she eats up and starts mating again. At a time in the litter there can be up to 10 completely defenseless babies. Cubs are naked and weigh no more than 10 grams. A month later, their eyes open.
5. The female continues to feed offspring until about 1.5 months of age. At 2 months, the babies leave their mother and begin to live a completely independent life. As for puberty, it comes closer to 1 year of life.

Animals in the wild have a lot of natural enemies. Most often, martens, sables, owls, charzis, etc., hunt animals.The population of proteins is so large that the attacks of predators on this practically does not affect. The problem may be that more and more animals lack food. In addition, individuals are susceptible to various infections that occur in late autumn and spring. Because of this, rodents die in large numbers.

Video: Squirrel (Sciurus)