[NatureNS] Melanistic Red Squirrel

From: Christopher Majka <c.majka@ns.sympatico.ca>
To: naturens@chebucto.ns.ca
Date: Wed, 24 Mar 2010 21:40:17 -0300
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Hi Ron,

On 24-Mar-10, at 9:27 PM, Ronald Arsenault wrote:

> Hello,
>
> I have seen the name "Pine Squirrel" given in some works as an  
> alternate English common name to designate not only the Red  
> Squirrel, but also Douglas' Squirrel (Tamiasciurus douglasii) found  
> in Canada only in BC.
>
> The Groundhog (Marmota monax) is in the same family (Scuiridae) as  
> the other four and thus could be considered Nova Scotia's fifth  
> "squirrel".

Depending on how one interprets the term "squirrel" the groundhog  
could indeed be included. A better candidate is actually the Eastern  
Chipmunk (Tamias striatus), which is also in the Scuiridae and is  
closer to what the lay person considers a "squirrel". After all, it  
would be odd if we all went out on February 2 to find out what  
Shubenacadie Sam had to say about the weather on "Squirrel Day". ;->

Cheers,

Chris

>
> Ron
>
> Ronald G. Arsenault
> Memramcook, N.B.
>
> 2010/3/24 Terry Boswell <ta_boz@hotmail.com>
> Chris,
>
> You made me do a little digging. You were right! Being European, I  
> was assuming the North American Red Squirrel (Tamiasciurus  
> hudsonicus) was the "Pine Squirrel" as I had heard the term being  
> used locally. I am more familiar with the European Red Squirrel  
> (sciurus vulgaris) and jumped to a conclusion that the one in the  
> photo could not be the same. Thanks for setting me straight.
>
> Terry
>
> From: c.majka@ns.sympatico.ca
>
> To: naturens@chebucto.ns.ca
> Subject: Re: [NatureNS] Melanistic Red Squirrel
> Date: Wed, 24 Mar 2010 18:38:01 -0300
>
>
> Hi Terry,
>
> There is no such species as a "pine squirrel" in Canada.
>
> In Nova Scotia, there are four species of squirrels:
>
> 1. Northern Flying Squirrel (Glaucomys sabrinus)
> 2. Southern Flying Squirrel (Glaucomys volens)
> 3. Grey Squirrel (Sciurus carolinensis)
> 4. Red Squirrel (Tamiasciurus hudsonicus)
>
> The red squirrel is a very variable species with fifteen subspecies  
> in Canada, however only one of these, Tamiasciurus hudsonicus  
> gymnicus, is found in the Maritime Provinces. There are also  
> occasional albino, partial albino, and melanistic individuals like  
> the one pictured in Bernard's photos.
>
> Cheers!
>
> Chris
>
> All the best.
>
> On 24-Mar-10, at 6:17 PM, Terry Boswell wrote:
>
> I think that this is a melanistic Pine Squirrel and not a melanistic  
> Red Squirrel. The two are quite different in shape and the Pine  
> Squirrel is the local resident.
>
> Regards
>
> Terry Boswell
>
> > Date: Tue, 23 Mar 2010 07:20:50 -0300
> > From: hamst@xplornet.com
> > To: naturens@chebucto.ns.ca
> > Subject: Re: [NatureNS] Melanistic Red Squirrel
> >
> > Thanks Bernard, I really wanted to see those pictures!
> >
> > On 22/03/10 11:32 PM, bernard burke wrote:
> > > Rita and I took a drive to the Nine Mile River area today  
> (Monday, March 22nd) to see if we could get a look at the melanistic  
> (black) red squirrel recently mentioned by Annabelle Thiebaux. After  
> a short period of time we were able to get good looks and photos of  
> this unique squirrel, some of which can be seen here:
> > >
> > > http://bernieb.smugmug.com/Nature/Melanistic-Black-Red-Squirrel/11593067_gobxb#816960113_GjgYz
> > >
> > > Many thanks to Annabelle and her husband for their hospitality.
> > >
> > > Bernard Burke
> > > blburke@ns.sympatico.ca
> > > Dartmouth
>
> Take your contacts everywhere. Try Messenger for mobile
>
>
>
> Christopher Majka
> Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada B3H 2G5
> c.majka@ns.sympatico.ca
>
> In theory there's no difference between theory and practice. In  
> practice there is. - Yogi Berra
>
>
>
> Take your contacts everywhere. Try Messenger for mobile
>
>
>
> -- 
>


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<html><body style=3D"word-wrap: break-word; -webkit-nbsp-mode: space; =
-webkit-line-break: after-white-space; ">Hi Ron,<div><br><div><div>On =
24-Mar-10, at 9:27 PM, Ronald Arsenault wrote:</div><br =
class=3D"Apple-interchange-newline"><blockquote =
type=3D"cite">Hello,<div><br></div><div>I have seen the name "Pine =
Squirrel" given in some works as an alternate English common name to =
designate not only the Red Squirrel, but also Douglas' Squirrel =
(Tamiasciurus douglasii) found in Canada only in BC.</div> =
<div><br></div><div>The Groundhog (Marmota monax) is in the same family =
(Scuiridae) as the other four and thus could be considered Nova =
Scotia's&nbsp;fifth&nbsp;"squirrel".</div></blockquote><div><br></div><div=
>Depending on how one interprets the term "squirrel" the groundhog could =
indeed be included. A better candidate is actually the Eastern Chipmunk =
(<i>Tamias striatus</i>), which is also in the Scuiridae and is closer =
to what the lay person considers a "squirrel". After all, it would be =
odd if we all went out on February 2 to find out what Shubenacadie Sam =
had to say about the weather on "Squirrel Day". =
;-&gt;</div><div><br></div><div>Cheers,</div><div><br></div><div>Chris</di=
v><br><blockquote =
type=3D"cite"><div><br></div><div>Ron</div><div><br></div> <div>Ronald =
G. Arsenault<br>Memramcook, N.B.<br><br><div =
class=3D"gmail_quote">2010/3/24 Terry Boswell <span dir=3D"ltr">&lt;<a =
href=3D"mailto:ta_boz@hotmail.com">ta_boz@hotmail.com</a>&gt;</span><br><b=
lockquote class=3D"gmail_quote" style=3D"margin:0 0 0 =
.8ex;border-left:1px #ccc solid;padding-left:1ex;"> <div> Chris,<br> =
&nbsp;<br> You made me do a little digging. You were right!&nbsp;Being =
European, I was&nbsp;assuming the Nort