Where the squirrel lives and what it eats? Like squirrels in the forest

Squirrels are found almost worldwide (except Australia). Movable mammal belongs to the family of rodents. There are many various kinds of these animals, differing in size, fur color, habits and habitat. They can be woody and earthy, fluffy and not very, there are even prickly specimens. Where lives a squirrel – largely depends on what species it belongs to. But they are all – a rather good-natured and cute animals, causing their behavior universal admiration.

Types of protein

In the world there are about 200. The most unusual and fun live mostly in North America. These include burundukova and striped ground squirrels, living in burrows, and black, Caroline gray and aberto, prefer trees. In the Russian Federation red is more common representative of this family. It is also called the common squirrel. In some woods also caught flying squirrels, and in the southern steppes-the chipmunks.

Where he lives and what it eats protein depends on its type. For example, ground squirrels are not like fluffy tails, like wood. Because the latter use them to “steer” when jumping and balances on the branches. And the Chipmunk this wealth is completely useless: he produces food on earth. The flying squirrels jumping impressive distances of the legs are connected by membranes, is able to open up in the air on the principle of a parachute.

The habits of ordinary protein

This is a typical resident of the Russian forests, beginning with forest and ending with the southern latitudes, – a real beauty. Twice a year (spring and autumn) it changes its coat in the summer to flaunt in bright red, and in winter to be less visible in the gray, insulated outfit. Red squirrel lives in the hollow, at least – just in the nest, built in the thick branches. Many animals such houses several. In one she lives and breeds, and the remaining uses as a pantry.

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Dormant in winter, it is not falling, but acorns and nuts – the main food of this rodent – during cold weather pretty tight. That stores household pet them on a rainy day, hiding in the nests. As the squirrel lives in the forest, it is easy to see, if you visit a nearby grove or large Park. These animals are quite sociable and often treat people with trust, pleasure he brought nibble of nuts or seeds. But you need to remember that protein – the creature of the wild. She has sharp teeth and long claws, so that their hands should not eat, especially for young children.

The Diet of tree squirrels

The Main feed taiga beauties – pine nuts and acorns. Depending on where lives a squirrel, its menu can be diluted with seeds of other cones, mushrooms, berries and even bird eggs. Yes, it's cute and, at first glance, a harmless creature often impoverishes the nest. In the summer the problems with the food there. But with the onset of cold weather, fallen acorns sweeps up snow, the mushrooms grow, and cones is not so simple to find. But Thrifty animal in advance of stuffing their pantries with supplies. Therefore, in the hollows of trees in forests where lives a squirrel, you can easily find deposits of nuts and dried mushrooms, acorns and sunflower seeds.

If the year was very lean, she doesn't disdain young branches of trees, buds and even bark. And yet the protein is able to travel considerable distances in search of food. And the animals do it EN masse and can run for several days almost without interruption. In coniferous forests, where lives a squirrel, often found cones with characteristic traces of their teeth. These animals play an important role in the reproduction of spruce, pine and other plants, spreading their seeds.

Reproduction

Mate proteins, usually 2 times a year (spring and autumn). But it happens that the female has time to withdraw and 3 litters of offspring. Groom itself for 1 season. The father of the family it is difficult to call, because after their participation in the process of conception, he simply runs away. All the worries about the upbringing of offspring, building nests and safety of squirrels takes care of their mother. Although there are exceptions, when parents feed and protect them in turn.

Spring calves are usually smaller (2 to 4). In the fall, after the female is fattening and gain weight, it can bear up to a dozen squirrels. They are born blind and helpless, but, thanks to the care of the mother, rather quickly grow up. After only a few months of protein could leave her quite independent and begin to rebuild their personal lives. There are cases when they have long huddled in one nest. Sometimes they return and the mother, but with younger brothers and sisters. By next spring the kids themselves will be able to reproduce offspring. Considering how many years there are squirrels in the natural environment, it is quite normal. The average duration for woody species less than 4 years, but sometimes reaches up to 9.

Zoologists noticed that the squirrel often adopts the neighbor's cubs-orphans. She drags them into its own nest and cares, as a family.

Flying Squirrels

This is the most remarkable animal of all the family. In Russian forests the flying squirrelcommon, and on the planet there are about a dozen species. Despite some significant differences, both external and behavioral, they share a way of moving. Climb trees they can just like their ordinary counterparts. Externally, the animal is not very remarkable – grey in colour with a darker back. Spot the flying squirrel can be difficult. On trees it is perfectly camouflaged and almost falling down. But if there is a need to overcome at one time a distance of a few tens of meters, she jump spreads legs and reveals fur-covered membrane, as you plan on a parachute. With the help of rather long flexible tail, the animal is able to adjust the trajectory. Before “fit” the flying squirrel moves in a vertical position and clings to the trunk with all paws. So she can fly from one tree to another, overcoming at a time to 50 meters.

Ground squirrels

Live mainly in North America, but are occasionally found in Central Asia. They look more like next of kin - chipmunks, which can be distinguished by the distinctive striped back. These squirrels live in burrows, where they also build nests and breed. They are not as attractive as the ordinary, and deprived of their chief ornaments – big fluffy tail. It they have, but the most common. Animals eat mainly nuts, grains and other seeds, sometimes prey on small insects.

Human Impact on population of animals

As one of the commercial fur-bearing animals, ordinary protein, for decades ruthlessly exterminated for their own fur. But, thanks to fertility is neither an endangered species nor even rare. A cruel joke on her played not fur, and timber industries. Many proteins because of mass deforestation were forced to leave their traditional habitat, violating, thus, the food chain and ecosystem balance. First of all it concerns the taiga regions. But in recent years, thanks to the protection of forest lands and the organization of reserves, the animals feel much more comfortable.

How do squirrels in captivity

Surprisingly longer than in nature. Being in a cage of a zoo or even in an apartment, the squirrel feels pretty good. Especially, if it is to create conditions close to natural. This will require a few twigs and pieces of bark to build a nest. And a special wheel, which protein will run to compensate for the limited space. With proper care, the animal may live up to 12 years. And the captivity well tolerated and ordinary red beauties, and black, and the chipmunks.

Protein – very cute animal belonging to the family of rodents. In nature they don't live very long, but perfectly comfortable in captivity. Proteins are very different: large and very tiny, with a gorgeous coat and nondescript, and to dwell on the trees, and in burrows, depending on the variety.