My guess is: these are Eastern gray squirrels. They have some brownish undertones and short ears.
I wish to see a Western gray squirrel in my garden one day.
I wish to see a Western gray squirrel in my garden one day.
| Eastern gray squirrel (Sciurus carolinensis) Body: 10.5" Tail: 8" Eastern gray squirrels are mid-sized, with relatively narrow tails and short ears compared to western gray squirrels. They have a pale gray coat with a reddish-brown wash on the face, back, and tail. Their underparts are creamy white. Eastern gray squirrels were first introduced into Washington in 1925. They are now common in many cities, and thrive in developed areas. When hunting this species, special care should be taken to distinguish between it and the similar western gray squirrel. Western gray squirrel (Sciurus griseus)Body: 12" Tail: 12" Western gray squirrels are the largest native tree squirrel in Washington. They are steel gray on the back with contrasting white on the belly and throat resulting in the name "silver gray squirrel" in some parts of their range. They are distinguished by their very long and bushy tails that are primarily gray with white-frosted outer edges. They also have prominent ears, which can be reddish-brown on the back in winter; this occasional small patch of brown on the back of the ears is only visible upon close inspection and is the only part of the animal's pelage that may have any brown. The western gray squirrel's large size, bushy tail, and gray pelage lacking any brown on the body or tail are keys to distinguishing it from other tree squirrels in Washington. Western gray squirrels forage in trees for acorns and conifer seeds, but also forage on the ground for mushrooms and bury acorns. They travel from tree to tree or on the ground in graceful, wave-like leaps. They may vocalize in the fall with a hoarse "chuff-chuff-chuff" barking. Source |
