but receives no state funding to do so. commonly found in urban settings. The names aptly describe their general coat color: the first is usually gray, the other is usually reddish yellow. Western grays are about 12 inches long and have 12-inch tails. Notoedric mange, a disease caused by mites, becomes epidemic in western gray squirrel populations a… and protected as a threatened species in Washington. wash of coloration commonly seen with eastern grays. Western Gray Squirrel Western Gray Squirrel Weight 1-2 lb, a large squirrel. California western grays' diet is more than 50 percent truffles. Program abstracts, annual meeting of the Washington Chapter of The Wildlife Society, 16-19 February, Marysville, Washington. While the eastern gray squirrel grows from 9 to 11 inches in length and weighs from 14 to 21 ounces. California ground squirrels as adults grow very stout and have more ‘girth’ than Eastern vs. Western Gray Squirrels It seems to be very difficult to distinguish these species. they are only out at night , few people ever see them. are native and protected species in Washington and Oregon. of color in their fur. They also eat plant shoots, caterpillars, fruit and fungi, but western grays eat more truffles and mushrooms. This species is listed as threatened in Washington State. Both Despite being similar in appearance, the two species have different evolutionary origins. seen in the Portland Metro area. Eastern and western grays differ slightly in their hoarding behavior. The Douglas Squirrel (Tamiasciurus douglasii). Western gray squirrel has a long, bushy and white-edged tail, which helps the animal balance while jumping from tree to tree. PART OF WILD SKY MEDIA | FAMILY & PARENTING, State University of New York: Gray Squirrel, Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife: Western Gray Squirrels, Penn State University: Eastern Gray Squirrel, U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest Service: Biology and Management of the Western Gray Squirrel and Oregon White Oak Woodlands: With Emphasis on the Puget Trough, The Types of Flying Squirrels Found in California. made their way to Washington and Oregon on their own; however, they are generally Conservation status 4 Western grey squirrels are a United States species of concern, but are not currently listed as threatened or endangered under the U.S. The eastern gray squirrel of the species is found in … Since Both species of squirrels are Wildlife science researchers at SFR have studied Washington’s western gray squirrels since the late 1990s in an effort to discover ways to help the species survive. Eastern and western gray squirrels are diurnal, active during the day and at rest or asleep for most of the night, but these two species' periods of activity differ. The western gray squirrel is the largest native tree squirrel in Washington. grams, American Red Squirrels (Tamiasciurus hudsonicus), Eastern grays can be distinguished from western grays by the brownish orange ‘wash’ The eastern gray squirrel’s native range overlaps with fox squirrels (Cirrus nigerus), with which it is sometimes confused, although a bit west of the range of fox squirrels are eastern gray squirrels from New Brunswick to southwestern Quebec and southern Ontario, south to southern Mani.  |  Contact Us. Washington Habitat Eastern gray squirrels have been successful in colonizing new habitats, while western grays are less adaptable and are threatened by habitat loss. Eastern gray squirrels are believed to have arrived in the They are distinguished from the eastern gray and other squirrel species by their very long bushy tails that are primarily gray with white-frosted outer edges. The Eastern Gray Squirrel (sciurus carolinensis). Gray squirrels are bushy tailed rodents with a mixture of brown, black, and white fur which when viewed from a distance blend together to look gray. a shorter tail, mottled appearance (spots) and a white ‘shawl’ across the shoulders. chipmunks. They are Portland Metro/Vancouver Washington area. the tail fur emerges orange. eastern grays. The western gray squirrel is gray above with distinct white underparts and prominent ears. All squirrels are born hairless so fox squirrels cannot be identified by sight until 9 to 12 inches in from nose to rump (not including the tail) weighing between 14-21 Wet sand or mud and fresh fallen snow are two of the best surfaces for capturing imprints. In the United States, the eastern gray squirrel is widespread, while the western gray inhabits only areas of Oregon, California and Washington. Like the eastern gray, fox squirrels have adapted well to human habitation and are They are distinguished from the eastern gray and other squirrel species by their very long bushy tails that are primarily gray with white