Sherry8
Wisconsin...zone 4
Posts: 2423
|
| Posted: Mon Dec 05, 2011 6:59 am Post subject: Black Squirrel...what a beauty.. |
|
I looked out one morning when I opened my blinds and there sat a black squirrel eating the bird seed....he didn't care that I was watching him or maybe he was watching me...
Black squirrel ( photo / image / picture from Sherry8's Garden )
( photo / image / picture from Sherry8's Garden )
Black squirrel ( photo / image / picture from Sherry8's Garden )
To hide these ads please register / sign in
_________________
|
|
| Back to top |
|
eileen
 Forum Moderator
Scotland
Posts: 18528
|
| Posted: Mon Dec 05, 2011 10:14 am Post subject: |
|
We get melanistic rabbits and pheasats here but, so far, no black squirrels in this area. I have seen a pure white one though but it was many, many years ago. Your little visitor seems quite happy to have his photograph taken. 
_________________
|
|
| Back to top |
|
Sjoerd
West - Friesland
Posts: 7024
|
| Posted: Mon Dec 05, 2011 10:30 am Post subject: |
|
That guy looks as if he just scampered up and out of your chimney! 
It is a beautiful thing, isn't it. I guess that you two were checking EACH OTHER out. haha.
I am so glad that you have this most interesting visitor to your wonderful menagerie of beasts that frequent your yard.
Great foto.
_________________
Sjoerd http://www.volkstuindersvereniginghoornenomstreken.nl/Page11.html
|
|
| Back to top |
|
Jerry Sullivan
Regular Plants Contributor
Chelmsford MA
Posts: 3062
|
| Posted: Mon Dec 05, 2011 12:46 pm Post subject: |
|
I have never seen a black squirrel. It looks like a grey squirrel with black fir. Interesting, I wonder if they are prevalent in other areas? Or perhaps they are moving into your area.
Jerry
|
|
| Back to top |
|
Frank
Administrator
Originally Galway, Ireland
Posts: 12564
|
| Posted: Mon Dec 05, 2011 1:02 pm Post subject: |
|
I had no idea you could get a black squirrel. He looks really great in that attire. Thanks for my daily surprise Sherry.
_________________
Remember to tell your friends about GardenStew and mention us on your websites
Do you have plant knowledge? Share it on GardenStew PLANTS
|
|
| Back to top |
|
Netty
Regular Plants Contributor
Southern Ontario zone 5a
Posts: 10320
|
| Posted: Mon Dec 05, 2011 1:16 pm Post subject: |
|
A really chubby one too! Jerry, black squirrels are very numerous here too. In fact, it is rare to see a grey one here!
|
|
| Back to top |
|
cherylad
Regular Plants Contributor
S. Liberty County - Texas
Posts: 5278
|
| Posted: Mon Dec 05, 2011 2:45 pm Post subject: |
|
I've never seen a black one either. Neato!
|
|
| Back to top |
|
Kay
Lincoln, Nebraska
Posts: 1114
|
| Posted: Mon Dec 05, 2011 3:34 pm Post subject: |
|
What a great pic of your new friend!
We have black squirrels around here, although they are not as numerous as the gray ones.
I would love to have one come visit me, I've seen them a block over.
I have plenty of the other mischeivious "regular" squirrels, and as we speak they are sneaking into the black oil in the feeder. Gotta go chase em off again 
_________________
Kay
To love what you do, and feel that it matters - how could anything be more fun?
|
|
| Back to top |
|
lukeypukey
grimsby uk
Posts: 431
|
| Posted: Mon Dec 05, 2011 4:03 pm Post subject: |
|
well thats a first for me  nice pics
|
|
| Back to top |
|
marlingardener
Central Texas, zone 8
Posts: 2389
|
| Posted: Mon Dec 05, 2011 4:21 pm Post subject: |
|
Never saw, never heard of a black squirrel! That is a wonderful picture! Nature's variety is constantly amazing.
_________________
Mother Nature's helper
at www.rgf-tx.com
|
|
| Back to top |
|
carolyn keiper
northern ohio
Posts: 2644
|
| Posted: Mon Dec 05, 2011 6:54 pm Post subject: |
|
We have them here, although not on our property. They actually seem to be more city dweller than country dweller here. They are more aggressive than the other squirrels, also. Don't want to hand feed these.  you might not get all of your hand back. 
|
|
| Back to top |
|
waretrop
Posts: 839
|
| Posted: Mon Dec 05, 2011 7:52 pm Post subject: Black Squirrel...what a beauty.. |
|
Very odd. I Googled it. Found black squirrel with red tail and black squirrel with grey tail and we have a total white one but couldn't tell if it was red eyed (albino).
Barb in Pa.
|
|
| Back to top |
|
Sherry8
Wisconsin...zone 4
Posts: 2423
|
| Posted: Mon Dec 05, 2011 9:55 pm Post subject: |
|
Seven years ago before we moved to this home we had a black squirrel too.We did live in the country at that time with a backyard full of trees for them to play in. I only had one so I am thinking they are not that common . I had over a dozen gray ones and they kind of picked on the black one when he was trying to eat...of course the gray ones are always chasing one another away so they can get more to eat. Once in a while I find two grays on the tray together.
I found this about them:
The black squirrels being seen around town are really eastern gray squirrels (Sciurus carolinensis) with a genetic mutation that causes excessive pigmentation or “melanism”. Biologists estimate that nationwide about one of every 10,000 gray squirrels is the black mutant
Black-phase gray squirrels are by no means a genetic mistake. Gray squirrels in New England, Pennsylvania, Michigan and other northern states were almost all black before the days of early European settlers. The black fur more readily absorbs heat from the sun’s rays providing warmth during cold northern winters; equally important, the black coloration is a defense mechanism.
_________________
|
|
| Back to top |
|
kathyd
Southern New Jersey
Posts: 407
|
| Posted: Tue Dec 06, 2011 2:57 pm Post subject: |
|
That's a really unique looking squirrel. I've never seen one before. I would sure like to see an albino squirrel too, such as the one Eileen mentioned. Thanks for posting the pic.
_________________
Please visit my blog: "Minding My P's with Q
|
|
| Back to top |
|
Danjensen
Z5a Montreal
Posts: 339
|
| Posted: Tue Dec 06, 2011 7:31 pm Post subject: |
|
Must admit ours are starting to look really chunky ready for the winter. I always find it funny how much weight they put on leading upto winter.
Unfortunately my wife says its not an excuse i can use.
_________________
my two blogs Firewood rack and wood rack
|
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Hi visitor! Need to ask a question? Sign up for free today.
|
|
Ways to share this page (copy and paste codes):
|
|
|
