Outdoor Ontario

Wildlife Reports => Southern Ontario Wildlife => Topic started by: Bird Brain on March 09, 2010, 07:09:38 PM

Title: Squirrels and lack of fur
Post by: Bird Brain on March 09, 2010, 07:09:38 PM

Hi everyone.  

Today I was walking around Lake Aquitaine and noticed that a lot of squirrels are missing quite a bit of fur - very patchy looking.  They all looked fine yesterday.  

Anyone know what's up with this?  

Jo-Anne

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Post by: thouc on March 09, 2010, 08:47:19 PM

Shedding winter fur? Just a guess.

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Post by: Bird Brain on March 09, 2010, 08:53:05 PM

thouc ... Thank You for your reply.  I was wondering that as well.

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Post by: Lloyd on March 10, 2010, 03:42:50 PM

I do believe they use their fur to line their nests in addition to leaves and twigs, etc. Check out the following website for everything you need to know about tree rats, er.....sorry, squirrels.  http://www.squirrels.org/faq.html (http://www.squirrels.org/faq.html)

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Post by: angieinto on March 11, 2010, 11:26:09 AM

We have a few running around our yard that are quite patchy too, one's almost bald.  :?

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Post by: Bird Brain on March 11, 2010, 02:25:06 PM

Quote from: "Lloyd"

I do believe they use their fur to line their nests in addition to leaves and twigs, etc. Check out the following website for everything you need to know about tree rats, er.....sorry, squirrels.  http://www.squirrels.org/faq.html (http://www.squirrels.org/faq.html)

Tree Rats?!  Shame on ya!  :P

Thank You Lloyd for your posting and link.  Interesting reading.   Now that you mention it, I had noticed squirrel dreys lately packed with fur, dryer lint and even a chocolate bar wrapper!  :shock: Cripes.

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Post by: Bird Brain on March 11, 2010, 02:28:04 PM

Quote from: "angieinto"

We have a few running around our yard that are quite patchy too, one's almost bald.  :?

 Hi Angie.  It was really bizarre to see the squirrels with full fur on Monday then all of a sudden from Tuesday onwards, they are patchy!  Apparently baby squirrels are born in early Spring so I guess the parents are making the "crib" soft and nice.  :lol:

Jo-Anne  :)