SQUIRRELS

California ground squirrels build their homes underground with other families of ground squirrels.  These communities can be as large as over 100 squirrels living in one underground tunnel system.  These tunnels can be 35 feet long and 30 feet deep.  Much like our house, these tunnels act as as hallways leading to specific rooms.  Some rooms are where they store their food (just like a kitchen). Some rooms act as a nursery where the mamas raise their babies.  Other rooms act as bathrooms.  

California ground squirrels are the color of dirt which make them able to hide by camouflage when they are out in the open.  Many animals like hawks, snakes, and coyotes hunt squirrels for food. 

Usually one or two squirrels act as a lookout for the rest of the community.  They stand perched on their two back feet and watch for predators in the area.  When they spot danger, they flick their tails and make a very loud chirp.  Repeated whistles and chattering mean a coyote or large animal is nearby. A single whistle means a flying predator like a hawk is coming.  A slow repeated chirp (kind of like the sound your fire alarm makes when it needs a new battery) means a snake is nearby. Knowing the sounds of these chirps can be useful to us humans too if we are out hiking and we hear these warning sounds.

Eastern Fox squirrels are the tree squirrels most likely seen in backyards running up and down trees and across utility lines around the city.  These squirrels are not native to California and it's estimated they were introduced to the area about 100 years ago.  

The curious personalities of the fox squirrel make them more adaptable to where humans live.  They live in nests high in the trees made of branches and leaves.  They are not particular about food and will generally eat anything that is available to them.  They enjoy birdseed in feeders, nuts, and even insects and bird eggs.  In the fall, they can be seen burying acorns they gather from oak trees.  Sometimes they will dig a hole and not bury their treasured meal as a way to throw off any other squirrels that may be spying on them.
Acorns that are not found or eaten by the squirrels can sometimes spout as new trees. 

The eastern fox squirrel can have up to two litters of babies a year.  Each litter is usually one to two squirrels.  Baby squirrels depend on their mamas until they are 4 months old.  At that time, they are ready to leave the nest and find their own home.

"Eyes on the side, 
run and hide.
Eyes in the front, 

ready for a hunt." 

This little poem gives us clues to figure out where critters fit on the food chain. Many creatures with eyes on the side of their head need to be on the lookout for predators coming to hunt them.  Creatures like hawks or coyotes have great hunting eyes on the front of their heads. 

Based on the placements of their eyes, are squirrels the predator or prey? 

Be sure to check The Acorn Newspaper each Thursday to spot the "Squirrel of the Month."  Residents of the Conejo Valley can submit their pictures of squirrels around the area and have an opportunity to be featured in this fun corner of the newspaper.  To be a part of the Acorn’s world-famous feature, send your best squirrel shots to tonewstip@theacorn.com.