They also need a diverse selection of vegetation to provide a multitude of food resources.Ī western gray squirrel family on the look-out from their nest tree cavity at the Klickitat Wildlife Area.Īll tree squirrels create nursery nests in hollow trees, abandoned woodpecker cavities, and similar hollows. The squirrels require mature stands of trees with sufficient canopy cover to provide secure nest sites and allow for traveling about in trees. In Washington, they also use stands of Douglas fir trees when a component of oak or pine is present. Western gray squirrels are most frequently associated with pine trees, which provide nesting cover and seeds for food, and oak trees, which provide natal den sites and acorns for food. Western gray squirrels are often confused with introduced eastern gray squirrels that are increasingly common in Washington’ urban areas. The western gray squirrel's large size, bushy tail, and gray fur lacking any brown on the body or tail are keys to distinguishing it from other tree squirrels in Washington. This occasional small patch of brown is only visible upon close inspection and is the only part of the squirrel that may have any brown. They also have prominent ears, which can be reddish-brown on the back in winter. 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. The western gray squirrel is the largest tree squirrel native to the Pacific Northwest.
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