Gray squirrels reproduce in a 2-acre enclosure

H. Reed Sanderson; Larry A. Berry

Treesearch

Gray squirrels reproduce in a 2-acre enclosure

Informally Refereed

Authors:

H. Reed Sanderson, Larry A. Berry

Year:

1973

Type:

Research Note

Station:

Northern Research Station

Source:

Research Note NE-174. Upper Darby, PA: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Northeastern Forest Experiment Station. 6p.

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Download (PDF 509 KB): https://research.fs.usda.gov/download/treesearch/19489.pdf

Abstract

A 2-acre enclosure was built in a 40-year-old hardwood stand, and 5 to 19 gray squirrels (Sciurus carolinensis) were confined in it during 3 years. Reproductive behavior of the squirrels was the same at all population densities, but densities above 12 may have reduced productivity. For 10 to 12 squirrels, behavior was about normal and productivity was high. At population levels above 12, antagonistic behavior and fence-running increased. The enclosure was modified until escapes were reduced to less than 10 percent per year. Disease and predation were not a problem. Fence costs were $2,000 for materials and about 125 man-days of labor. The enclosure proved practical for squirrel research.

Citation

Sanderson, H. Reed; Berry, Larry A. 1973. Gray squirrels reproduce in a 2-acre enclosure. Research Note NE-174. Upper Darby, PA: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Northeastern Forest Experiment Station. 6p.