by Jordyn E Pimental
Ever abundant in this neck of the woods, to say you’ve probably seen a squirrel on or around Campus would be an understatement. Their full name is the Eastern Gray squirrel, and these adorable little critters can be found everywhere in the state of Massachusetts, which includes Martha’s Vineyard and Nantucket.
An Eastern Gray Squirrel. (Jordyn E Pimental)
The Basics
Not to be confused with the red squirrel, which is also common throughout Massachusetts, Eastern Gray squirrels are slightly larger, usually 15-20 inches in length. Although ‘gray’ is in their name which is often true for their color, black variants of the same species can be found, more commonly in Western Massachusetts. According to Mass.gov, both male and female squirrels look identical and they have a winter and a summer breeding season.
Habitat and Feeding
These squirrels will live in any naturally occurring cavity, such as holes in hardwood trees or, preferably, in acorn-bearing trees. It is there where they store their food. Their
diet mainly consists of different nuts, which, according to Mass.gov, is a major percentage (75) of their diet. They will also eat fruits, seeds, and flowers. Gray squirrels are most active at dusk and dawn, making them crepuscular during most months, but they are much less active during the winter months.
Fun Facts
Eastern Gray squirrels are smaller than the Western Gray squirrels found on our opposite coast. They also have a short life span; it is estimated that a newborn squirrel will only survive 1-2 years due to predation from other animals. Squirrels that make it to adulthood are estimated to live 6 years.
Although they are not endangered, it is still important to incorporate environmentally conscious actions into your daily life, and make sustainable choices to help protect wildlife.
