4 Types of Squirrels in Maine (With Pictures and Identification)

Maine’s forests and backyards are dwelling to an fascinating variety of squirrels, from the acquainted gray and pink tree squirrels to the elusive flying species. These small mammals play an obligatory place throughout the state’s ecosystems, spreading seeds and fungi whereas providing a lively presence for nature fanatics.

Each species has its private distinctive traits, behaviors, and habitats. The Jap Gray Squirrel is a typical sight in metropolis areas, whereas the American Crimson Squirrel dominates coniferous forests. Northern and Southern Flying Squirrels, though a lot much less often seen, glide silently by the use of the bushes at evening time, together with a mysterious attraction to Maine’s woodlands.

This info will allow you identify all 4 squirrel species in Maine, detailing their bodily traits, feeding habits, nesting behaviors, and the proper events and areas to take a look at them. Whether or not or not you are a casual observer or a wildlife fanatic, you’ll obtain useful notion into these agile and intriguing creatures.

Completely totally different Sorts of Squirrels Current in Maine

Jap Gray Squirrel (Sciurus carolinensis)

The Jap Gray Squirrel might be probably the most acquainted and widespread squirrel in Maine, often seen in every metropolis parks and dense forests. They’ve a gray coat with hints of brown, a white underside, and a protracted, bushy tail that helps them steadiness and speak. Adults typically measure about 16 to twenty inches in full dimension, along with their tail, and weigh spherical 1 to 1.5 kilos. Their sharp claws and agile actions make them great climbers, merely darting up bushes when disturbed.

These squirrels are primarily diurnal and intensely energetic via the morning and late afternoon. They’re acknowledged for his or her scatter-hoarding conduct, the place they bury acorns and totally different nuts in numerous areas. Curiously, they don’t on a regular basis take note the place every cache is, which inadvertently helps in forest regeneration by allowing some seeds to grow to be bushes. Their weight-reduction plan in Maine consists of acorns, beechnuts, maple seeds, fungi, fruits, and even rooster eggs sometimes.

When it comes to duplicate, Jap Gray Squirrels breed twice a 12 months, as quickly as in late winter and as soon as extra in midsummer. Females usually give starting to 2 to six youthful after a gestation of about six weeks. Nests, referred to as dreys, are constructed of twigs and leaves extreme in bushes, providing warmth and security. Youthful squirrels are born hairless and blind, nevertheless they quickly develop and begin exploring exterior the nest by about two months of age.

A pleasing fact about this species is their talent to hold out “splooting”—lying flat on their stomachs with limbs stretched out all through scorching summer season days to sit back down on shaded surfaces. In Maine’s colder months, they grow to be a lot much less energetic nevertheless do not hibernate, relying on saved meals to survive the winter. Their adaptability has allowed them to thrive in every rural woodlands and human-dominated landscapes.

American Crimson Squirrel (Tamiasciurus hudsonicus)

The American Crimson Squirrel is smaller than its gray counterpart nevertheless far more vocal and territorial. Recognizable by its reddish-brown fur, white abdomen, and distinctively loud chatter, this species is commonly current in Maine’s coniferous forests. Adults typically measure about 11 to 14 inches prolonged and weigh between 7 and 10 ounces. Their bushy tail is barely shorter than that of a gray squirrel, nevertheless nonetheless serves as a balancing instrument and a communication signal.

Behaviorally, pink squirrels are acknowledged for his or her feisty and energetic nature. They aggressively defend their territories and meals retailers from intruders, along with totally different squirrels. Their weight-reduction plan in Maine is carefully reliant on conifer seeds, considerably from spruce and pine bushes, though they might even eat mushrooms, berries, and sometimes bugs. Not like gray squirrels, which scatter-hoard, pink squirrels create huge central caches referred to as “middens,” the place they retailer cones and seeds for winter.

Breeding usually occurs as quickly as in early spring, though in some years a second litter might arrive in summer season. After a gestation interval of about 35 days, the female affords starting to three to seven youthful. The youthful are weaned after about eight weeks, at which degree they begin to go away the nest and arrange their very personal territories. Crimson squirrels assemble nests in tree cavities, dense branches, and even inside earlier woodpecker holes.

A fascinating fact about pink squirrels in Maine is their place in sustaining forest ecosystems. By spreading and caching fungi, significantly truffles, they contribute to the effectively being of symbiotic tree-fungal relationships. Their loud, speedy chattering calls are moreover a signature sound in northern forests, often alerting totally different animals—and folks—of potential predators like hawks and owls.

Northern Flying Squirrel (Glaucomys sabrinus)

The Northern Flying Squirrel is a nocturnal and elusive species current in Maine’s mature forests. Not like gray and pink squirrels, this species has a patagium, a furry membrane stretching between its forelimbs and hindlimbs, allowing it to glide from tree to tree. They’ve delicate, brownish-gray fur, huge darkish eyes tailor-made for evening time imaginative and prescient, and a flattened tail that helps steer all through flight. Adults measure spherical 10 to 12 inches in dimension and weigh 4 to 6 ounces.

These squirrels are usually not usually seen via the day since they’re strictly nocturnal. They glide distances of as a lot as 150 toes, using their gliding talent to forage and escape predators. Their weight-reduction plan consists primarily of fungi, lichens, seeds, nuts, fruits, and usually bugs. Curiously, Northern Flying Squirrels play a major ecological place by spreading spores of truffle-like fungi, which revenue tree roots by the use of symbiotic relationships.

Breeding occurs yearly, usually in late spring or early summer season. Females give starting to 2 to six youthful after a gestation interval of about 40 days. Nests are inbuilt tree cavities, abandoned woodpecker holes, or leafy dreys, lined with moss, bark, and feathers for insulation. The youthful are born blind and helpless, opening their eyes at spherical 5 weeks and leaving the nest by 10 weeks.

A pleasing fact is that Northern Flying Squirrels don’t actually “fly”—they glide. They’ll administration the angle of their glide by adjusting their limbs and tail, allowing them to navigate spherical bushes. In Maine, they’re an obligatory prey species for nocturnal predators equivalent to owls, and their presence is often detected additional by sound or by nest remnants than by direct commentary.

Southern Flying Squirrel (Glaucomys volans)

The Southern Flying Squirrel is the smaller cousin of the northern species and will also be present in components of Maine, though a lot much less typically and additional localized to southern areas of the state. They’ve delicate, gray-brown fur, a white abdomen, and big darkish eyes very like the northern species. Adults measure about 8 to 10 inches in dimension and weigh solely 2 to 3 ounces, making them the smallest tree squirrels in Maine.

Southern Flying Squirrels are nocturnal and intensely social, often sharing communal nests via the colder months. They’re great gliders, in a position to overlaying over 100 toes in a single glide. Their weight-reduction plan is quite a few and consists of nuts, seeds, fungi, bugs, rooster eggs, and even small nestlings sometimes. In Maine, they’re additional often associated to blended hardwood forests as compared with the conifer-dominated habitats of their northern kin.

Breeding occurs twice a 12 months, as quickly as in late winter and as soon as extra in midsummer, making them additional prolific than Northern Flying Squirrels. Each litter usually accommodates two to six youthful. They nest in tree cavities, usually taking over earlier woodpecker holes, and line them with leaves, moss, and totally different delicate provides. Social nesting in winter helps them protect physique heat and survive the chilly season.

One fascinating fact about Southern Flying Squirrels is their sturdy communal conduct. Dozens of individuals might share a single nesting cavity all through winter, huddling collectively for warmth. In Maine, they’re harder to take a look at than their northern counterparts on account of their smaller populations, nevertheless when seen gliding at evening time beneath a flashlight, they appear just about like shadows floating silently by the use of the bushes.

Best Time and Places to See Squirrels in Maine

Best Time to Spot Squirrels

Squirrels in Maine may very well be seen all 12 months lengthy, though train ranges vary with the seasons. Jap Gray and American Crimson Squirrels are most energetic via the early morning and late afternoon hours, significantly in spring and fall after they acquire meals. Winter sightings are nonetheless frequent, as they do not hibernate, nevertheless they is likely to be a lot much less seen all through storms or extreme chilly.

Flying squirrels, every Northern and Southern, are nocturnal, making nighttime the proper various to see them. Establishing a pink delicate or a wildlife digital digital camera near rooster feeders or forest edges can improve your possibilities of recognizing them gliding between bushes. Summer season nights are considerably good for commentary, as they’re actively elevating youthful and foraging for fungi and nuts.

Best Areas in Maine

For Jap Gray and American Crimson Squirrels, the proper viewing alternate options are in blended hardwood and conifer forests, along with metropolis parks, campgrounds, and backyards with rooster feeders. Acadia Nationwide Park, Baxter State Park, and native nature reserves are prime spots the place these squirrels are appreciable and energetic.

For Northern Flying Squirrels, mature coniferous and blended forests are supreme habitats. They’re often present in northern and central Maine, significantly in areas with appreciable spruce, fir, and hemlock. Southern Flying Squirrels are additional restricted in range, primarily in southern Maine’s hardwood forests. Quiet woodland areas near lakes and rivers, with a great deal of tree cavities, present the proper likelihood of seeing them.

Recommendations for Comment

To reinforce your possibilities of seeing squirrels, switch quietly and regulate every the forest flooring and tree cowl. Listen for rustling leaves, dropping pine cones, or the chatter of pink squirrels defending their territory. Hen feeders stocked with sunflower seeds, peanuts, or corn often entice gray squirrels, whereas nighttime feeders with suet or peanut butter might draw flying squirrels.

Bringing a pair of binoculars helps with observing their behaviors, significantly gliding actions of flying squirrels at dusk. Persistence is important, as squirrels may very well be quick and cautious. By choosing the right time of day and placement, company to Maine’s forests can merely profit from the lively presence of these charismatic creatures.

FAQs about Squirrels in Maine

What kinds of squirrels keep in Maine?

Maine is dwelling to 4 basic species of squirrels: the Jap Gray Squirrel, American Crimson Squirrel, Northern Flying Squirrel, and Southern Flying Squirrel. Each species has distinctive behaviors and preferred habitats, from noisy pink squirrels in pine forests to the elusive flying squirrels gliding silently at evening time.

Do squirrels hibernate in Maine?

No, squirrels in Maine do not hibernate. As an alternative, they proceed to be energetic year-round, though they may spend additional time of their nests all through extreme winter local weather. They rely upon saved meals equivalent to nuts, seeds, and cones to survive the chilly months.

When is the proper time to see squirrels in Maine?

The perfect time to see gray and pink squirrels is all through early morning and late afternoon all 12 months lengthy. Flying squirrels, nonetheless, are nocturnal and are biggest seen at evening time, significantly in summer season and fall once they’re actively foraging and elevating their youthful.

The place can I see squirrels in Maine?

Squirrels may very well be seen in a variety of habitats all through Maine. Gray and pink squirrels are frequent in parks, campgrounds, and blended forests, whereas flying squirrels are additional often current in mature woodlands. Modern areas embody Acadia Nationwide Park, Baxter State Park, and native forest reserves.

What do squirrels eat in Maine?

Their weight-reduction plan relies upon upon the species. Gray squirrels eat acorns, beechnuts, fruits, and seeds, whereas pink squirrels select pine and spruce cones. Flying squirrels feed carefully on fungi, nuts, and seeds, participating in an obligatory place in forest ecosystems by dispersing fungal spores.

Are flying squirrels frequent in Maine?

Northern Flying Squirrels are fairly widespread in northern and central Maine’s coniferous forests, though they don’t seem to be usually seen on account of they’re nocturnal. Southern Flying Squirrels have a smaller inhabitants and are largely restricted to southern Maine, making them a lot much less repeatedly encountered.

Do squirrels assemble nests in Maine?

Positive, squirrels assemble nests referred to as dreys, which are manufactured from twigs and leaves extreme throughout the bushes. They could moreover use tree cavities or abandoned woodpecker holes. Nests current shelter, warmth, and a safe place to spice up their youthful.

Are squirrels essential to Maine’s ecosystem?

Utterly. Squirrels play a major place in forest regeneration by burying nuts and seeds that usually grow to be new bushes. Flying squirrels moreover disperse fungi that help tree roots soak up nutritional vitamins. Even their discarded cones and meals middens current sources for various wildlife.