Western Gray Squirrel

Western Gray Squirrel

• 1-2 lb, a large squirrel
• seed eating rodent dental formula 1-0-1-3/1-0-1-3
• Squirrels eats acorns and other nuts and seeds.
• Western Gray Squirrels were once common in Tacoma and the region after clear cutting of old growth, but now are limited to dry oak forests in south Tacoma
• The gray squirrel usually seen in the Tacoma and the Puget Sound lowlands is the introduced Eastern Gray Squirrel, which is smaller, often reddish about the face, back and tail, and scraggly tail when compared to the bushy tail of a Western Gray Squirrel.
• The Western Gray Squirrel recovery plan can be found here.  The plan contains a full review of natural history, status, and plans to bolster populations and habitat.