Species of the Week: Eastern Gray Squirrel

This week's Species of the Week is the eastern gray squirrel, or Sciurus carolinensis.
Native to the eastern half of the United States and southern Canada, the eastern gray squirrel can be found mainly inhabiting deciduous temperate forests, staying up high in tree branches in dens made of leaves, moss, and grasses. In these dens, they can live and raise their young, typically birthing 1-4 young per litter. However, they are also commonly found in human-settled areas, such as suburbs. Their range overlaps with the American red squirrel; however, these are not typically found in and around where people live. While typically gray in color with a lighter belly, eastern gray squirrels occasionally can be different morphs and have color changes in their coats. Melanistic individuals are completely black in color, and are often mistaken for being a separate species. Similarly, white individuals that have leucism (a genetic mutation similar to albinism) are uncommon but can be found; one leucistic eastern gray squirrel is a fairly common sight in the Boston Common.

Eastern gray squirrels eat a range of foods, including acorns, nuts, berries, tree bark, and some mushrooms. In addition, they also often use human-settled areas to their advantage by raiding birdfeeders for grains and seeds. Adults typically expect to live 5-10 years. Eastern gray squirrels are very commonly found around Brandeis University, and are a good introductory animal for iNaturalist.