Mount Graham red squirrel

The Mount Graham red squirrel (Tamiasciurus fremonti grahamensis) is an endangered subspecies of the southwestern red squirrel (Tamiasciurus fremonti)[3] native to the Pinaleño Mountains of Arizona. It is smaller than most other subspecies of red squirrel, and also does not have the white-fringed tail that is common to the species. Its diet consists mainly of mixed seeds, conifer cones and air-dried fungi. It exhibits similar behavior to other squirrels in its species.

Mount Graham red squirrel

Critically Imperiled  (NatureServe)[2]
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Mammalia
Order: Rodentia
Family: Sciuridae
Genus: Tamiasciurus
Species:
T. fremonti
Subspecies:
T. f. grahamensis
Trinomial name
Tamiasciurus fremonti grahamensis
(J. A. Allen, 1894)
Synonyms

Tamasciurus hudsonicus grahamensis

Description

Physical

The Mount Graham red squirrel is a generally tiny squirrel weighing on average around 8 ounces (230 g) and measuring about 8 inches (20 cm) in length.[1] The subspecies also has a 6 inches (15 cm) tail.[1] Unlike most other squirrels in its species, the squirrels do not have a white-fringed tail.[1] Both females and males share similar markings and features and are typically grayish brown in color with rusty yellow or orange markings on their backside.[1] During the winter season, the squirrels ears are tufted with fur, and during the summer a black lateral line is observed on the squirrel.[1][4] The skull of the subspecies is rounded and its teeth are low-crowned.[4]

Behavior

Mount Graham red squirrels behave in a manner similar to most other subspecies of American red squirrel. They are diurnal and do not hibernate during the winter months, but instead carry out activities in the mid-day sun.[5] Mount Graham squirrels usually eat a diet of mixed seeds, conifer cones and air-dried fungi.[6]

Habitat

Historically, the Mount Graham red squirrel inhabited about 11,750 acres (47.6 km2) of spruce-fir, mixed-conifer and ecotone zone habitats that were generally at higher elevations throughout the Pinaleño Mountains.[6] Recent data shows that it occurs more frequently at the ecotone zone than the other habitats.[6] When choosing a potential nesting site, the squirrels typically pick a cool, moist area with an abundance of food sources.[6] Drought, forest fires, and insect infestation have been responsible for a decrease of the squirrel in the spruce-fir habitat.[6]

Conservation

The Mount Graham subspecies was believed to be extinct in the 1950s, but was "rediscovered" in the 1970s.[7] After its rediscovery, it was suggested for threatened or endangered species status under the Endangered Species Act in 1982.[8] On May 21, 1986, the subspecies was officially recommended to become an endangered species, and on June 3, 1987, was officially listed as endangered.[1][9] The Mount Graham International Observatory was controversial when it was built in the squirrel's habitat; the observatory has been required to monitor the community near the observatory to determine if its construction is having any negative effects on the population.[7] Habitat loss is also occurring at high levels for a variety of natural and anthropogenic reasons.[7] In 1988, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service designated most of this area as a refuge, and access to the area is granted only with a special permit.[7] A lightning strike on June 7, 2017, started a wildfire that could have led to the extinction of this subspecies.[10]

In September 2019, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service agreed to consider if the squirrel needed further protection. They were petitioned under a procedure of the Endangered Species Act by a group that contends it is necessary to remove the observatory and other private structures.[11]

References
  1. "Mount Graham Red squirrel (Tamiasciurus hudsonicus grahamensis)". U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Retrieved 10 April 2010.
  2. "NatureServe Explorer 2.0". explorer.natureserve.org. Retrieved 7 October 2022.
  3. "Explore the Database". www.mammaldiversity.org. Retrieved 2021-09-11.
  4. Fitzpatrick, Lesley; Genice Froehlich; Terry Johnson; Randall Smith; Barry Spicer (May 3, 1993). "Mount Graham red squirrel" (PDF). U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Albuquerque, New Mexico. Retrieved 10 April 2010.
  5. "The Natural History of the Mount Graham Red Squirrel". The University of Arizona. Retrieved 13 September 2012.
  6. "Mount Graham Red Squirrel (Tamiasciurus hudsonicus grahamensis) 5-Year Review: Summary and Evaluation" (PDF). U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Arizona Ecological Services Field Office Phoenix, Arizona. January 2008. Retrieved 10 April 2010.
  7. "The Mt. Graham Red Squirrel Research Program Project History". The University of Arizona. Retrieved 13 September 2012.
  8. "Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Review of Vertebrate Wildlife for Listing as Endangered or Threatened Species" (PDF). Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior. December 30, 1982. Retrieved 10 April 2010.
  9. "50 CFR Part 17" (PDF). Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior. May 21, 1986. Retrieved April 10, 2010.
  10. Albeck-Ripka, Livia (October 25, 2017). "For an Endangered Animal, a Fire or Hurricane Can Mean the End". New York Times.
  11. "US officials to consider protections for endangered Arizona squirrel". KTAR News. September 5, 2019. Archived from the original on 2019-09-10. Retrieved September 8, 2019.
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