Abert's Squirrel
ExploreMammals
Abert's Squirrel
Sciurus aberti
Abert's Squirrel is a cute, fluffy squirrel with big ears and a bushy tail. They love to climb trees and can often be seen playing in the branches or gathering food.
Habitat: Forests
Appearance
The Abert's Squirrel is a medium-sized tree squirrel known for its distinctive long ear tufts, especially prominent in winter. Its fur is typically gray on the back with a reddish stripe, and a bright white belly. Some individuals are entirely black or melanistic.
KingdomAnimaliaPhylumChordataClassMammaliaOrderRodentiaFamilySciuridaeGenusSciurus
Category
MammalsRarity
Common
Danger
1/5 · Very low
Snaps
3
Interesting facts
Some Abert's squirrels are completely black, looking like a different animal!
Their huge fluffy tail helps them balance, steer, and keep warm!
They rely almost entirely on the Ponderosa Pine tree for food and shelter!
This squirrel is named after a naturalist, Colonel John James Abert!
Special abilities
Ability
Winter Whispers Listener
Abert's Squirrel has long ear tufts that provide extra warmth and might aid in hearing subtle sounds in its forest home.
Ability
Pine Cone Master
Abert's Squirrel can skillfully strip scales from Ponderosa Pine cones to reach the nutritious seeds hidden deep within.
Ability
Snow-Covered Snack Finder
Abert's Squirrel has an incredible sense of smell that helps it locate buried pine seeds, even under snow.
Measurements & details
- Length
- 46-58 cm
- Weight
- 0.5-0.7 kg
- Lifespan
- 4-7 years
- Top Speed
- 19 km/h
- Litter Size
- 2-4
- Gestation
- 41-42 days
Diet & Feeding
Abert's Squirrels mostly eat parts of Ponderosa Pine trees, especially their yummy seeds!
Primary Foods
- Ponderosa Pine seeds
- Ponderosa Pine inner bark (phloem)
- Ponderosa Pine buds
- Ponderosa Pine pollen cones
- Fungi
Foraging Method
- Foraging
Ecological connections
depends on
Ponderosa Pine
Pinus ponderosa
Abert's Squirrel depends on it for almost all its food and shelter.
eaten by
Northern Goshawk
Accipiter gentilis
An agile raptor that often preys on squirrels in the forest canopy.
eaten by
Bobcat
Lynx rufus
A stealthy predator that hunts these squirrels on the forest floor.
Traits
Furry
Furry describes animals possessing a dense covering of soft hair or fur.
Social
Social animals live in organized groups, cooperating for survival benefits such as foraging, defense, and raising offspring.
Arboreal
Arboreal animals live primarily in trees, utilizing them for shelter, food, and protection from predators.
Herbivorous
This trait characterizes organisms whose diet consists entirely or primarily of plant material.
Forest
Forest habitats are terrestrial environments dominated by dense tree cover, supporting a high diversity of plant and animal life.
Diurnal
Diurnal animals are primarily active during daylight hours, typically resting or sleeping at night.
Also known as
No aliases listed yet.
Collections
Safety
Danger
1/5 · Very low
Watch squirrels from a distance and don't try to touch them, as they can be scared.
Frequently Asked Questions
How to identify Abert's Squirrel?
The easiest way to identify Abert's Squirrel is to use the Snappit nature identifier app.
How long is Abert's Squirrel?
46-58 cm
How much does Abert's Squirrel weigh?
0.5-0.7 kg
How long does Abert's Squirrel live?
4-7 years
How fast can Abert's Squirrel move?
19 km/h
What does Abert's Squirrel eat?
Abert's Squirrels mostly eat parts of Ponderosa Pine trees, especially their yummy seeds!
Where is Abert's Squirrel usually found?
Forests
How does Abert's Squirrel hunt?
Foraging
Snap Map
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Recent Snaps
Where to spot
Park29 sightings12 species
New Mexico, US
Bandelier CCC Historic District
You might spot Tree Cholla, Mule Deer, and Sacred Datura.
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Park30 sightings12 species
Arizona, US
Grand Canyon Inn and Campground
You might spot Gambel Oak and Abert's Squirrel.
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Park30 sightings12 species
Arizona, US
Grand Canyon North Rim Headquarters
You might spot Gambel Oak and Greater Short-Horned Lizard.
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Park30 sightings12 species
Colorado, US
Main Avenue Historic District
You might spot Mule Deer, Rubber Rabbitbrush, and Plateau Fence Lizard.
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Park29 sightings12 species
Arizona, US
Railroad Addition Historic District
You might spot Dark-Eyed Junco and Plateau Fence Lizard.
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Park30 sightings12 species
Arizona, US
The Arboretum at Flagstaff
You might spot Southwestern Ponderosa Pine and Plateau Fence Lizard.
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