mammal · GBIF taxon 2437281
Douglas Squirrel
Tamiasciurus douglasiiAlso known as Chickaree, Pine Squirrel, Douglas's Squirrel, Pillillooeet
These energetic, territorial pine squirrels are easily recognized by their olive-grey backs, vibrant orange-to-rust bellies, and bold white eye-rings. They are vocal sentinels of the Pacific Northwest coniferous forests, defending their territories with a loud, chattering repertoire of trills, chirps, and squeaks. Throughout the autumn, they tirelessly harvest and cache green conifer cones in damp forest-floor middens to sustain themselves through the winter.
DiurnalArborealVocal
Licensed referenceVJAnderson / CC BY-SA 4.0 · cc-by-sa
- diet
- Conifer seeds, fungi, acorns, berries, and occasionally bird eggs
- family
- Sciuridae
- threats
- Habitat loss from logging, competition with invasive Eastern grey squirrels
- life Span
- Up to 7 years in the wild
LC
Capable of a sharp defensive bite if cornered or handled; observe their lively antics from a distance.
- Listen for alarms: Follow their loud, rapid scolding trills to locate them high in the canopy.
- Look for middens: Search the forest floor for large piles of chewed cone scales, which indicate active feeding sites.
- Keep your distance: Avoid feeding them by hand to prevent habituation and accidental bites.