Squirrels less cautious
Photo: Arne Ader
Squirrel
Red squirrel; Eurasian red squirrel Harilik orav Sciurus vulgaris
A population of really urban squirrels are living in our city parks and cemeteries. For perhaps a week these lovable, daytime active creatures have been visible quite a lot more than recently in the sunny and cold weather. The mating period activities that are independent of the weather are underway and it seems as if prudence has disappeared. During the mating period males sense the odour of the females from up to one and a half kilometres away according to researchers and there are enough dangers on that adventurous journey, especially in a city. When the mating period has passed the males return to their territories and squirrel life rolls on in normal tracks again.
The female is escorted by a couple or even several males during the courting time. They try to catch her attention and quarrels between the males are common then – sometimes even loud-voiced. If at a first glance it seems that the biggest squirrel is scurrying in the lead then it may well be so since mature females are a little bigger than the males.
The female’s gestation period lasts a little more than five weeks, then two to five ten-gram squirrel babies who are blind and furless are born in the nest.
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