American red squirrel

American red squirrel is a small, noisy tree squirrel, the smallest of the tree squirrels of its range. This pine squirrel is easily recognized by its small size, its red upperside, and its drawn-out, rachet-like chatter.

At maturity it is 11″ to 13¾″ long including the tail.

The head and body are 7″ to 8″ long. In summer the back and sides are dull grayish- to greenish red. In winter they are orangish-red. The head is slightly darker and grayer and there is a prominent white ring around each eye. The underside is white. There is a narrow black band, separating the brown upperside from the white underside, that is visible only in the summer. The legs and feet are yellowish brown.

The tail is 4″ to 6″ long. The upperside is reddish-brown bordered with black and cinnamon. The underside is gray tinged with cinnamon. In winter the fur colors are brighter.

The ears are moderate in size and somewhat pointed. In wither there are tufts of fur on the tips.

Head and body: 7″ to 8″

Tail: 4″ to 6″

Coniferous, deciduous, and mixed forests

Usually less than 5 years

Nests are usually made by lining a tree hollow. Sometimes a hollow log is used, sometimes a leaf nest is built. The female has one litter of usually 2 to 5 in mid-January to mid-February. The young leave the nest after 40 days. Up to 75% die from predation in the first year. Those that survive may live up to 9 years, though few live more than 5 years.

Sources

4, 7, 24, 29, 30, 76.

Northern red squirrel (Tamiasciurus hudsonicus hudsonicus) range is restricted to the northeastern and northcentral counties.

Minnesota red squirrel (Tamiasciurus hudsonicus minnesota) range includes all but the northeastern and northcentral counties.

Common

I know a lot gray coloring. My daughter say gray squirrel. If I am wrong do not post.

A Red Squirrel in The Big Stone National Wildlife Refuge climbing on a tree stump screaming out a warning to another hidden nearby, I back away and the other Red Squirrel ran to safety from the deep grass along the road.

Red Squirrel, February 2016, never seen one before or since. Extremely fast at running away with the peanuts!

Napping with a black squirrel after foraging together.

Red Squirrel in Maplewood Hts Park. They are feisty critters and can be destructive to property, but they will deter the larger gray squirrels.

Tamiasciurus hudsonicus
Less than half as large as the gray, this noisy little squirrel is Minnesota's smallest tree squirrel. It is found in every county of the state, but is most common in evergreen (conifer) forests.
— MN DNR

Cascade SP residents include a variety of squirrels. These were captured with a Sony CD1000 digital camera in June of 2001.

Red Squirrels
Andree Reno Sanborn

Tamiasciurus hudsonicus (Red Squirrel)
Allen Chartier

American Red Squirrel
Doug Scobel

Red Squirrel (Sciuridae: Tamiasciurus hudsonicus) Vocalization
Carl Barrentine

Red Squirrel (Sciuridae: Tamiasciurus hudsonicus) Hip-hop
Carl Barrentine

Tamiasciurus hudsonicus
Jean-François Noulin

Angry Red Squirrel - Brainerd Dispatch, MN
BrainerdDispatch

Upset North American Red Squirrel
Jessica Lyon

Steve and Kari Wagner
6/15/2024

Location: City of Woodbury, MN

Pair of Red Squirrels have established home around our house and in our trees.

Location: Mound, MN

I know a lot gray coloring. My daughter say gray squirrel. If I am wrong do not post.

It's hard to tell from this photo, but…

• the eye rings appear white and prominent
• the tail appears reddish, rather than gray or brown

I can't say that this is not a red squirrel, and a double negative is as good as a positive.

Location: Big Stone National Wildlife Refuge

A Red Squirrel in The Big Stone National Wildlife Refuge climbing on a tree stump screaming out a warning to another hidden nearby, I back away and the other Red Squirrel ran to safety from the deep grass along the road.

Location: Cass County

Location: Cass County

Napping on a hot day.

Location: Maplewood Heights Park

They are feisty critters and can be destructive to property, but they will deter the larger gray squirrels.

Location: Maple Grove, MN

Red Squirrel, February 2016, never seen one before or since. Extremely fast at running away with the peanuts!

Location: Cascade River State Park

Cascade SP residents include a variety of squirrels. These were captured with a Sony CD1000 digital camera in June of 2001.