Discover nature: Meet Missouri’s squirrels

By My Courier-Tribune

Tree squirrels are loud and lively and eat almost anything from fruit to nuts. And that includes bark.

According to the Missouri Department of Conservation, squirrels use bark along with leaves and grass to line their nests in tree cavities and branches.

“They also gnaw on bark to help clean and sharpen their teeth,” states a release. “It’s kind of like brushing and flossing. They have long, front incisors with sharp edges to help them chew through soil and roots, on nuts and wood and cut grass.”

For most, these teeth never quit growing and require grooming. When the bark is removed, squirrels will also snack on the exposed cambium layer of the tree for a salty snack and other nutrients.

If too much of this layer is exposed on tree branches or trunks, it can kill the tree, according to the conservation department.

“There is some research that suggests expectant mother squirrels may chew on the bark in the nest to manage labor pain. Their mid-winter litters will be leaving the nest soon. Watch young squirrels feeding on buds and running around parks and backyards,” states the release.

In Missouri, the squirrel family is made up of five members.

Woodchuck

Woodchucks are Missouri’s largest, chubbiest squirrel. They are sometimes called “whistle pigs” because they give a loud shrill whistle. They may remove more than 700 pounds of soil while digging their network of tunnels.

Eastern chipmunk

A single chipmunk may pack its winter pantry with enough nuts and acorns to fill nine 2-liter soda bottles.

“A chipmunk can cram nine acorns in its mouth — four in each cheek pouch and one between its teeth,” states the conservation department.

Eastern Gray squirrel and Eastern Fox squirrel

Tree squirrels are chatterboxes and make many different sounds. The gray and fox squirrel live wherever large nut trees are found.

“They make leafy nests in tree holes and on branches,” states the release.

Southern flying squirrel

To glide, the tiny Southern flying squirrel climbs to a high perch then plunges spread-eagle into thin air.

“Draped between its legs is a flap of skin that billows like a furry parachute,” states the release.

Ground Squirrel

The ground squirrel lives under the ground — their paws have long claws to help them dig, and their bodies are long and skinny to squirm through tight tunnels.