This little mammal loves to get down on pine cones, and while its not bouncing from treetop to treetop, will build its nest in the tip-top of very tall ponderosa pines. For today’s edition of Wildlife Wednesday, a profile of Abert’s squirrel (Sciurus aberti).
Found in both the U.S. and Mexico, the most distinctive feature of this squirrel are its hairy tufted ears, which can extend 2-3 cm from the skin.
It’s named after Col. John James Abert, an American naturalist and member of the U.S. Army Corps of Topographical Engineers who helped organize the mapping of the American West.
A favorite food of the Abert’s squirrel is the ponderosa pine cone, which they will turn slowly while eating (much like people do with corn on the cob) to peel away the cone and dig into its meaty seeds.
These critters have a sweet tooth. In early spring, sap begins to flow in boxelder maple trees and Abert’s squirrels can be seen climbing the trees, licking the bark to get down on their gooey sap, which is a high-energy treat.
Abert’s squirrels shed their thick coat and tasseled ears in the summer (see bottom right photo).
Excellent climbers, according to the National Park Service, Abert’s squirrels can hang onto a tree limb “using only their rear feet while keeping their front feet free to handle food.”
