Proteins are distributed almost throughout the world (with the exception of Australia). The mobile mammal belongs to the rodent family. There are many different species of these animals, differing in size, coat color, habits and habitat. They can be woody and earthen, fluffy and not very, there are even prickly specimens. Where the squirrel lives is largely dependent on what species it belongs to. But all of them are pretty good-natured and cute animals that cause general delight with their behavior.
Types of Squirrels
In total, there are about 200 of them in the world. The most unusual and funny ones live mainly in North America. These include chipmunks and terrestrial striped squirrels living in burrows, as well as black, Carolina gray and Aberta, who prefer trees. In the Russian Federation, a red representative of this family is more common. It is also called the common squirrel. Flying squirrels are also found in some forests, and chipmunks are found in the southern steppes.
Where the protein lives and what it eats depends on its type. For example, earthen squirrels do not have such fluffy tails as woody ones. After all, the latter use them for “taxiing” when jumping and balancing on branches. A chipmunk such wealth is completely useless: he gets his livelihood on earth. In flying squirrels jumping at impressive distances, the legs are connected by membranes that can open in the air according to the principle of a parachute.
The habits of ordinary squirrels
This typical resident of Russian forests, starting from the taiga and ending with the southern latitudes, is a real beauty. Twice a year (in spring and autumn) she changes her coat to flaunt in bright red in summer, and in winter not to be so noticeable in a gray, insulated outfit. An ordinary squirrel lives in a hollow, less often - just in a nest, entwined in dense branches. Many animals have several such houses. In one, she lives and hatches offspring, and uses the rest as storage rooms.
It does not fall into hibernation in winter, and with acorns and nuts - the main food of this rodent - during the cold weather is quite tight. So the little animals store them for themselves on a rainy day, hiding in the nests. How the squirrel lives in the forest, it is easy to see if you visit the nearest grove or large park. These animals are quite sociable and often treat people with confidence, gladly treating themselves to a brought treat in the form of nuts or seeds. But you need to remember that the squirrel is a wild creature. She has sharp teeth and long claws, so it’s best not to feed them, especially for young children.
Wood Squirrel Diet
The main food of the taiga beauty is pine nuts and acorns. Depending on where the squirrel lives, its menu can be diluted with seeds of other cones, mushrooms, berries and even bird eggs. Yes, this sweet and, at first glance, harmless creature often ravages nests. In summer there are no problems with food. But with the onset of cold weather, the fallen acorns are swept away by snow, the mushrooms do not grow, and it is not so easy to find cones. But the thrifty animal in advance stuffs its pantries with supplies. Therefore, in the hollows of trees in the forests where the squirrel lives, one can easily find deposits of nuts and dried mushrooms, acorns and seeds.
If the year turned out to be a lean one, she will not disdain young branches of trees, buds, and even bark. And the squirrel is able to travel impressive distances in search of food. Moreover, animals do it en masse and can run for several days almost without a break. In coniferous forests where the squirrel lives, bumps with characteristic traces of their teeth are often found. These animals play an important role in the reproduction of spruce, pine and other plants, carrying their seeds.
Breeding
Proteins mate, usually 2 times a year (in spring and autumn). But it happens that a female manages to breed 3 litters of offspring. She finds herself a groom for 1 season. It is difficult to call him the father of the family, because after his participation in the conception process, he simply escapes. Their mother takes care of all the worries about raising offspring, building a nest and safety. Although there are exceptions when parents feed and protect them one at a time.
In the spring, cubs are usually smaller (2 to 4). In the fall, after the female is fattened and gains weight, she can bring up to ten squirrels. They are born blind and helpless, but, thanks to the care of the mother, they grow up pretty quickly. After just a couple of months, the squirrel can leave its completely independent children and begin to establish its personal life. There are frequent cases when they are crowded together in one nest for a long time. Sometimes the mother returns to them, but with younger brothers and sisters. By the next spring, the kids themselves will be able to reproduce offspring. Considering how many years proteins have been living in their natural environment, this is quite normal. The average duration for woody species does not exceed 4 years, but sometimes reaches 9.
Zoologists have noticed that squirrels often adopt neighboring orphans. She drags them into her own nest and takes care of her relatives.
Flying squirrels
This is the most remarkable animal of the whole family. An ordinary flying squirrel is found in Russian forests , and there are about a dozen of them on the planet. Despite a number of significant differences, both external and behavioral, they are united by the way of moving. They can climb trees just like their ordinary relatives. Outwardly, the animal is not very remarkable - gray in color with a darker back. Noticing a flying squirrel can be difficult. On the trees, it is perfectly masked, and practically does not go down. But if there is a need to overcome a distance of several tens of meters at a time, she spreads her legs in a jump and opens the membranes covered with fur, planning, like a parachute. With the help of a rather long flexible tail, the animal is able to correct the trajectory. Before the "landing" the flying squirrel goes into a vertical position and clings to the trunk with all its paws. So she can fly from one tree to another, overcoming at a time up to 50 meters.
Ground squirrels
They live mainly in North America, but are rarely found in Central Asia. Outwardly, they are more reminiscent of the closest relatives - chipmunks, which can be distinguished by a characteristic striped back. These squirrels live in burrows, where they also build nests and breed. They are not as attractive as usual, and lack their main decoration - a large fluffy tail. They have it, but the most ordinary. The animals feed mainly on nuts, grains and other seeds, sometimes they hunt small insects.
Human influence on the number of animals
Being one of the commercial fur-bearing animals, ordinary squirrel has been mercilessly destroyed for decades for its own fur. But, thanks to fertility, it does not apply to endangered species, or even to rare ones. Not a furry but a woodworking industry played a cruel joke with her . Many squirrels, due to massive deforestation, were forced to leave their usual habitat, thus violating the food chain and ecosystem balance. This primarily concerns the taiga regions. But in recent years, thanks to the protection of forest lands and the organization of reserves, animals feel much more comfortable.
How do squirrels live in captivity
Surprisingly longer than in nature. Being in a zoo cage or even in an ordinary apartment, the squirrel feels pretty good. Especially if she create conditions that are close to natural. To do this, you will need several branches and pieces of bark, so that she builds herself a nest. And also a special wheel in which the squirrel will run, compensating for the limited space. With proper care, the animal can live up to 12 years. And captivity is well tolerated by ordinary red-haired beauties, and black, and chipmunks.
The squirrel is a very cute little animal belonging to the rodent family. In nature, they do not live very long, but are perfectly mastered in captivity. Squirrels are very different: large and very tiny, with a chic fur coat and nondescript, and they can live on trees and in holes, depending on the variety.