Mount Graham Red Squirrel

Mount Graham red squirrel

Tamiasciurus fremonti grahamensis

Range:

Found only in the Pinaleño Mountains, specifically at the top of Mount Graham in Graham County, Arizona

Habitat:

Montane conifer forests above 2,438 m (8,000 ft) in elevation. Require logs, snags, stumps and large living trees to form middens (cache sites).

Size:

Very small, weighing about 225–250 g (~8 oz)

Young: Called pups

Diet (wild):

Seeds from coniferous trees, insects, mushrooms, berries, and various other items

Life span:

Typically fewer than two years and a maximum of about four years in the wild; up to eight years in human care.

Conservation status:

Listed as endangered under the US Endangered Species Act in 1987.

Threats:

Loss of habitat due to wildfire, disease and insect infestations, which is reducing food resources and cover from predators. A larger, introduced squirrel species (Abert’s squirrel) also competes with Mount Graham red squirrels for limited food resources.

Appearance:

The Mount Graham red squirrel is a distinct sub-species that has been separated from other members of its species for ~10,000 years. It is distinguished by a smaller body and narrower head, but maintains the brownish-red sides and white belly that characterize other red squirrels.

Social/Family units:

Solitary; highly territorial. However, occasional nest-sharing has been observed in the wild.

Communication:

These squirrels make a variety of calls and chirps, including alarm calls.

Predators:

Aerial predators such as hawks and ground predators such as foxes

Locomotion:

These squirrels are very quick and agile. They can make impressive leaps and are very good at climbing and hanging.

Activity: Diurnal

At the Phoenix Zoo:

The Zoo is working with the US Fish and Wildlife Service on a pilot breeding program, focusing on establishing a sustainable method to breed, raise and eventually release Mt. Graham red squirrels into the wild. Field partners working on this effort include Arizona Game and Fish Department, US Forest Service, University of Arizona and others. Conservation Center staff have also conducted and published research on the reproductive biology of Mt. Graham red squirrels.