DAY 3

Social Structure

• Lives in packs or is solo

• Primarily a solitary animal. Each individual maintains its own burrow and territory

• Roles within community

  • Since they are solitary, there are no specific roles within a community. Each squirrel fends for itself, although they may occasionally interact with neighbors, especially during the mating season

• Individuals that make up the group

  • While they are solitary, populations in a given area may consist of several individuals, each with own territory. During mating season, interactions between males and females increase

• How they interact with each other

  • Interaction is generally limited to the breeding season. Outside of this period, interactions are minimal and often involve competition for resources or territorial disputes

Reproduction

• How often do they mate

  • They mate once a year

• How many mates do they have

  • Both males and females can have multiple mates during the breeding season, though females typically mate with only a few males

• Time of year for mating

  • Mating occurs in the spring, shortly after the squirrels emerge from hibernation, usually around April or May

• Mating rituals

  • They engage in courtship behaviors , such as chasing and vocalizations. Once a male finds a female, mating occurs quickly

• Number of offspring produces at a time

  • Females typically give birth to a litter of 6 to 10 offspring after a gestation period of about 28 days

• Any unique characteristics of their mating

  • Synchronization of mating to the spring season, ensuring the young are born when food sources are abundant and conditions are favorable for growth

Development

• Stages of Development

  • Newborns: Born blind and hairless, entirely dependent on their mother

  • Weaning: Around 4 weeks old, they begin to grow fur and open their eyes

  • Juveniles: By 6-8 weeks, they start to explore outside the burrow and gradually become more independent

  • Subadults: By the end of the summer, they are fully weaned and capable of surviving on their own

• How old before sexual maturity

  • Sexual maturity is typically reached by the following spring, around 9-10 months old

• Activities and environment of stages

  • Newborns and juveniles remain in burrow, dependent on the mother. As they grow, they start to venture out and learn foraging skills. By late summer, subadults establish their own territories

• Difference between males and females

  • Males tend to roam more widely, especially during the breeding season, to find mates. Females are more sedentary, particularly when dealing with young. Males are generally larger than females.