Tree Squirrels

There are three species of tree squirrels found in the Bay Area: Western Gray, Eastern Fox and Eastern Gray. The tan and white Eastern Gray group also includes a squirrel that is black in color due to dark pigmentation. Only the Western Gray is native to California and is found in our nearby mountain areas. The first published record of a native Western Gray Squirrel was in 1818.

Gardener’s Helper
Squirrels are wonderful gardeners. Annually, they trim leaves and branches for nest building, thus promoting new growth. They also bury nuts for winter foraging. While most of these nuts are found and consumed, a good amount are left to grow into mature trees. The protected live oak tree of the South Bay benefits greatly from our squirrel population.

Behavior
What looks like a pile of dead leaves in a tree is most likely a home for a squirrel and her babies. Tree squirrels have two litters of three to six young a year. The babies are born deaf and blind. They are fully weaned at about three months but don’t leave their family until almost full grown. Squirrels are very good mothers and will often retrieve a baby if it has fallen out of the nest.

Squirrels in your bird feeder?
Use squirrel-proof feeders that hang from poles instead of tree limbs. And keep all feeders ten feet from trees (squirrels are excellent jumpers). Mix cayenne pepper in bird seed to keep squirrels out. Birds can’t taste the cayenne but squirrels can and do not like the hot spice! Or, just sit back and watch their incredible antics.