Red Squirrel

Tamiasciurus hudsonicus

General Status Rank: 
Secure
ELCODE: 
AMAFB08010
Common Name: 
Red Squirrel
Scientific Name: 
Tamiasciurus hudsonicus
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Taxonomy
Group: 
Mammal (Terrestrial Mammal)
Kingdom: 
Animalia
Phylum: 
Chordata
Class: 
Mammalia
Order: 
Rodentia
Family: 
Sciuridae
References: 
B001
General Biology

Female Age at Maturity

11 months
References: 
B001

Longevity

12 years in captivity
References: 
B001

Economic/Human Considerations

Bad because of damage to forests but good because plant seeds, important prey species.
References: 
B001
Habitat
A variety of habitats, although preferably coniferous forest, especially spruce and pine trees.
References: 
B084
H122
Distribution

Ecozones

Southern Arctic, Taiga Cordillera, Taiga Plains, Taiga Shield, Boreal Cordillera, Boreal Plains
References: 
B001

Distribution

80% of the NWT.
Score: 
G = 2
References: 
B084

Number of Occurrences

Score: 
E = >
References: 
H126

Area of Occupancy

Stable?
Score: 
-
References: 
H126
Population

Population Size

Score: 
H = >
References: 
B084

Density

From 0.28 to 1.85 per acre.
Trends

Trends

Stable?
References: 
H126
Threats

Threats

Failure of cone crops, forest fires.
Score: 
C = M
References: 
B001
B084

Intrinsic Vulnerability

Needs mature trees, but habitat patches can be small.
Score: 
-
References: 
B001
B084
General Status Rank
Rank: 
Secure
S Rank: 
S5
Decision Process Description: 
Drafted by M. Bradley. Reviewed in 2004, no change in status. Reviewed in 2010, no change. Reviewed in 2015, no change. Reviewed in 2020, no change.
Last Updated: 
February 16, 2024

References

Age Of Maturity

  • Banfield AWF (1974) The Mammals of Canada. University of Toronto Press RWED Library Call #QL721.B3 - B001 Return

Area of Occupancy

  • Carrière, S. (2000) Pers. communication. Ecosystem Management Biologist; RWED - H126 Return

Economic Status

  • Banfield AWF (1974) The Mammals of Canada. University of Toronto Press RWED Library Call #QL721.B3 - B001 Return

Ecozones

  • Banfield AWF (1974) The Mammals of Canada. University of Toronto Press RWED Library Call #QL721.B3 - B001 Return

Habitat

  • Woods SE Jr. (1980) The Squirrels of Canada. National Museums of Canada RWED Library Call #QL737.R68W6 - B084 Return
  • Bradley, M (1999) Personnal Communication. Biologist / Wood Buffalo National Park, Fort Smith, NT - H122 Return

Intrinsic Vulnerability

  • Banfield AWF (1974) The Mammals of Canada. University of Toronto Press RWED Library Call #QL721.B3 - B001 Return
  • Woods SE Jr. (1980) The Squirrels of Canada. National Museums of Canada RWED Library Call #QL737.R68W6 - B084 Return

Longevity

  • Banfield AWF (1974) The Mammals of Canada. University of Toronto Press RWED Library Call #QL721.B3 - B001 Return

NWT Known Subspecies

Banfield AWF (1974) The Mammals of Canada. University of Toronto Press RWED Library Call #QL721.B3 - B001 Return

Number of Occurrences

  • Carrière, S. (2000) Pers. communication. Ecosystem Management Biologist; RWED - H126 Return

Population Size

Woods SE Jr. (1980) The Squirrels of Canada. National Museums of Canada RWED Library Call #QL737.R68W6 - B084 Return

Range Extent

  • Woods SE Jr. (1980) The Squirrels of Canada. National Museums of Canada RWED Library Call #QL737.R68W6 - B084 Return

Short Term Trends

  • Carrière, S. (2000) Pers. communication. Ecosystem Management Biologist; RWED - H126 Return

Taxonomy

  • Banfield AWF (1974) The Mammals of Canada. University of Toronto Press RWED Library Call #QL721.B3 - B001 Return

Threats

  • Banfield AWF (1974) The Mammals of Canada. University of Toronto Press RWED Library Call #QL721.B3 - B001 Return
  • Woods SE Jr. (1980) The Squirrels of Canada. National Museums of Canada RWED Library Call #QL737.R68W6 - B084 Return