ExploreMammals

Douglas's Squirrel

Tamiasciurus douglasii

Douglas's Squirrel is a lively little animal with a fluffy tail and bright eyes. They love to climb trees and gather nuts to eat. You can often see them playing in the forest!

Habitat: Forests

Appearance

The Douglas's Squirrel has a reddish-brown back and flanks, contrasting with a buff to orange-yellow belly. A distinctive black stripe often separates these two colors along its sides. They have a noticeable lighter ring around their large, dark eyes, making them look alert.

KingdomAnimaliaPhylumChordataClassMammaliaOrderRodentiaFamilySciuridaeGenusTamiasciurus
Douglas's Squirrel
furry trait badgesocial trait badgearboreal trait badgeherbivorous trait badge
Douglas's Squirrel

Category

Mammals

Rarity

Common

Danger

1/5 · Very low

Snaps

5

Interesting facts

Douglas's Squirrels are known for clipping pinecones from trees, creating huge "middens."

Their fluffy tails act like a cozy blanket, keeping them warm in cold weather!

They can tell different bird songs apart, listening for danger warnings!

They sometimes "bark" at intruders, making a loud, chattering alarm call!

Special abilities

Ability

Pinecone Power

Douglas's Squirrel can expertly extract seeds from tough conifer cones using its strong teeth and nimble paws for food.

Ability

Winter Hoarder

Douglas's Squirrel has an amazing memory that helps them find the hundreds of seed caches they bury for winter survival.

Ability

Acrobatic Navigator

Douglas's Squirrel can leap between branches and descend trees headfirst because of its sharp claws and flexible ankles.

Measurements & details

Length
16-21 cm
Weight
0.15-0.3 kg
Lifespan
3-7 years
Top Speed
25 km/h
Litter Size
2-8
Gestation
30-40 days

Diet & Feeding

Douglas's Squirrels mostly munch on seeds from pinecones, but also enjoy mushrooms, berries, and nuts!

Primary Foods

  • Conifer Seeds
  • Fungi
  • Berries
  • Nuts
  • Bird Eggs

Foraging Method

  • Foraging

Ecological connections

depends on

Douglas-fir

Pseudotsuga menziesii

Provides critical food (seeds) and shelter.

eaten by

Great Horned Owl

Bubo virginianus

Hunts squirrels, especially at dawn and dusk.

eaten by

Pacific Marten

Martes caurina

A quick forest predator that hunts squirrels.

eats

A Truffle

Rhizopogon vinicolor

Eats fungi and helps spread their spores.

Traits

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. They are wild animals.

Frequently Asked Questions

How to identify Douglas's Squirrel?

The easiest way to identify Douglas's Squirrel is to use the Snappit nature identifier app.

How long is Douglas's Squirrel?

16-21 cm

How much does Douglas's Squirrel weigh?

0.15-0.3 kg

How long does Douglas's Squirrel live?

3-7 years

How fast can Douglas's Squirrel move?

25 km/h

What does Douglas's Squirrel eat?

Douglas's Squirrels mostly munch on seeds from pinecones, but also enjoy mushrooms, berries, and nuts!

Where is Douglas's Squirrel usually found?

Forests

How does Douglas's Squirrel hunt?

Foraging

Snap Map

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