click on the pics ro enlarge
For the past couple of weeks, the backyard has been overrun with Black squirrels, which are quite rare. Black Squirrels number only 1 in 10,000 squirrels found throughout North America.
Black squirrels are found in abundance here in Ontario Canada.
Black and grey squirrels are the same species and can interbreed. A mutation in the gene that governs coat pigmentation is responsible for the black colouring. The testosterone-fuelled black squirrels are faster, fitter, fiercely territorial and more aggressive, beating greys to food and mates.
I hope the new kid on the block has access to that last bit of information!!!
I guess he heard about the fabulous feeding stations here in our yard via the grapevine...
and he's moving in!
Good luck!
and yes...I did name him...Stoney Braveheart
sharing with...
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Never seen such black squirrels....good photo's karen.
ReplyDeleteGreetings, Joop
That nice pictures, excellent captures, that squirrel gorgeous.
ReplyDeleteI think I probably told you, but I've never seen the black squirrels! Handsome guys/gals they are! Here's wishing good luck to the new kid on the block!! What fun captures for the day, Karen! Hope you have a lovely week -- with no squirrel wars!!
ReplyDeleteAww such cute pictures ! Our squirrels here are red and smaller.
ReplyDeletemy sis in wis gets black squirrels in her yard. i always delight in seeing them! :)
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed this post. I hope Stoney Braveheart will do well in his new digs.
ReplyDeleteThe word is out in the squirrel community about your wonderful restaurant! They say the food is good and there is lots of it!
ReplyDeleteLove the black squirrel -- different from any I see.
A great post!! Boom & Gary of the Vermilon River, Canada.
ReplyDeleteAll squirrels look cute to me - there are none out here in Australia. That black one is a beauty!
ReplyDeleteThey are so cute, Karen! I love it... :))
ReplyDeleteIndeed they are very rare... I saw it yesterday on TV, there was a program over them. :))
Have a nice week and warm greetings Anna
seems like a healthy fellow. In Sweden we only have the red squirral. :)
ReplyDeleteI do not believe I have ever seen a Black Squirrel. Great post and photos. Thanks for sharing, have a happy week!
ReplyDeleteFantastic photography and wishing the 'new kid on the block' ~ safe survival ~
ReplyDelete(A Creative Harbor)
I love your squirrel photos! I miss the little buggers scampering about.
ReplyDeleteLovely shots! I miss seeing squirrels.
ReplyDeletePerhaps the black and grey will have a truce or a family ;)
ReplyDeleteWhat fun squirrel shots!
ReplyDeleteGreat pictures !
ReplyDeleteBest regards from France,
Pierre
I assume that the fur will fly as the "old guard" and the "new guard" have a bit of a stand off!
ReplyDeleteCheers - Stewart M - Melbourne
Thanks for the great squirrel photos and thanks for telling me things I never knew about them. I have an interesting squirrel feeder and you can see it here.
ReplyDeleteThough pests squirrels are cute. Nice pics.
ReplyDeleteWe have them here in Nebraska too. I didn't know they had those traits though. Interesting!
ReplyDeleteWe have a ton of squirrels here, but no black ones. Great shots!
ReplyDeleteWhen I lived in DC, there was a huge issue with the black squirrels taking over the city. They zoo had some as part of a habitat - but hello, duh, squirrels can easily get out and breed like rabbits (?). On my college campus there were jokes about the black squirrel "hoods" and the regular squirrel "hoods'"!
ReplyDeleteWe have an issue here in the UK with the greys taking over from the reds (who were here first!). No black squirrels here yet.
ReplyDeletewonderful sharp pics of the little guys and such great definition, see every hair and whisker!
ReplyDeletelove the interesting and entertaining story that accompanies the pics too.
wel done, lovely work *VBS*
oh my! I don't think I've ever seen a black squirrel before! Great shots!
ReplyDeleteYep, we sure do have black squirrels in my yard too! ;))
ReplyDeleteI think the gray ones are way cuter!
ReplyDeleteI hope Stoney got some food. I knew that blacks were a variation of gray, but didn't know they were more aggressive.. Interesting post Karen.. Thank you... Michelle
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