WILDLIFE NOTES
Abert's squirrel
(Sciurus aberti)
Abert’s squirrel was named for
Col. J.J. Abert, a topographical
engineer and naturalist with the
military in the early 1800s.
RANGE AND
POPULATION inch
The principal habitat of Abert’s long
squirrels is the ponderosa pine during winter,
forest; nearly all large stands of giving the nickname of “tassel-
ponderosas support them. The eared squirrel” but they are weather they retire to their nests.
squirrels live, nest, feed and seek reduced in summer. Average adult They build these nests in the
refuge from enemies in these are nearly two feet long from the crotch of a branch or in a witch’s
trees. Abert’s squirrels are found tip of the nose to the tail. Their broom, a dense growth of small
also in mixed coniferous forest broad tails comprise nearly half of branches stimulated by mistletoe
where humans may have intro- this length and may be used as an infection. Squirrels carry cut
duced them. “umbrella” to shade against twigs to the nest site, tamp them
overheating. Coloration varies into place with their forefeet and
Three subspecies of Abert’s geographically in the distinct line them with shredded dry grass,
squirrels are found in New subspecies with the amounts of bark, or shredded paper or cloth
Mexico, somewhat isolated from white, grey and black on the tails cast off by humans. Nests are
one another in different mountain and bellies differing. There are found from 16 to 90 feet above
ranges. One subspecies is found two periods of molt each year, in the ground, usually on the south
in southwestern New Mexico the spring and again in the fall. side of trees. The outside diameter
Mountains, another in the Chuska Summer pelage is brighter and of nests is about 1 1/2 feet; the
Mountains in the northwest, and a has more white hairs. inside chambers about 6 inches.
third in the Sandia, Manzano,
Sangre de Cristo, San Juan, Abert’s squirrels are not known to
BEHAVIOUR defend territories. Home ranges of
Jemez, and Zuni Mountains and
on Mount Taylor. Abert’s squirrels are active be- this species are large, averaging
tween sunrise and sunset all year nearly 20 acres.
long. They may bark when ex-
DESCRIPTION cited, but are usually rather quiet. Although Abert’s squirrels do not
All Abert’s squirrels have con- They are less boisterous than are hibernate, they may sleep through
spicuous ear tufts and long, bushy their chickaree (red squirrel) periods of sustained cold. As soon
tails. The ear tassels are about an relatives. At night and in bad as the temperature heats up, they
will resume foraging. On winter
mornings, Abert’s squirrels may
spend some time sunning on
exposed limbs before becoming San Juan Rio Arriba Taos Colfax
Union
active. After bouts of vigorous
activity, they tend to rest in the Mora
Harding
shade in a prostrate position for
Los
Alamos
McKinley
Sandoval
more rapid heat loss. They may Santa San Miguel
Fe
also hide by flattening themselves
horizontally atop branches so they Bernalillo Quay
Cibola Guadalupe
cannot be seen from below. On Valencia
Torrance
windy days, they tend not to Curry
forage. Perhaps wind masks the De Baca
Roosevelt
sound of approaching predators. Catron
Socorro
Lincoln
Hawks are the most important Chaves
predators of Abert’s squirrels. Sierra
Other predators include automo-
Grant
Lea
biles, coyotes, mountain lions,
Otero
bobcats, and domestic and feral Eddy
Dona Aña
dogs and cats. Squirrels are Luna
vulnerable to house cats when
they are on the ground; this is Hidalgo
especially true for young squir- Range of Abert’s Squirrel
rels.
DIET
Ponderosa pines provide much of disperse pine seeds through the than half an ounce. At about
the diet; seeds, buds, inner bark forest. seven weeks, they have hair, their
and the male cones are all eaten. eyes are open and they may begin
A litter of clipped ponderosa pine The main factor regulating short ventures away from the nest.
debris on the ground may signal Abert’s squirrel populations may
squirrels feeding above. Fungi be the availability of food. Num-
HUNTING
are eaten extensively throughout bers may fluctuate widely over
the years, dwindling when pi- In New Mexico, the Abert’s
the summer, and when available
necones are scarce. squirrel is a game species.
throughout the rest of the year.
These provide an important
source of moisture. Abert’s BREEDING Abert’s squirrels
squirrels will also eat mistletoe,
mate from early spring to early
acorns, insects, carrion and
summer. Small groups of males
occasional pieces of shrubs and Wildlife Notes is published by
may pursue single females the Department of Game and Fish.
grasses. They gnaw bones and
through the trees for hours at a If you are interested in obtaining
antlers for the mineral content.
time. Females can breed twice in additional copies, please send
good years. Young are born in your request to:
Unlike many of their relatives, Conservation Education Section
June and early July after a gesta-
Abert’s squirrels do not store Department of Game and Fish
tion of about 40 days. A litter
large caches of food in the nest, PO Box 25112
consists of two to five hairless and Santa Fe, NM 87504
though they may bury single
blind young. The young are about (505) 476-8000
pinecones. This behavior helps
2 1/2 inches long and weigh less