I have been admiring these beautiful jet black squirrels for some time now, so it was interesting to see an article about them.
Following are some quotes from the auther of the article, Rick Koval.
"A black squirrel is a melanistic color phase of the easter gray squirrel. Although rare throughout Pennsylvania, this color morph was more common hundreds of years ago, but seems to be increasing throughout the Poconos.""Black squirrels look exactly like gray squirrels in size and shape, except for their dark pigmentation. However, it takes a mixed pair to produce the black phase. Gray and black squirrels interbreed, producing offspring that can be the typical gray, jet-black, or a black-brown phenotype. all which have been found in the poconos...."
"Backyard squirrels are often considered nuisances at the backyard feeders, but the black variety is often welcomed..." (I wonder if Sasha would agree)
((Maybe next week they will discover the little red squirrel that I have also been admiring, the rare times I see them in my backyard.))
Diana
3 comments:
I never thought about the interbreeding. I bet there has been some very interesting colors!
Sasha knows all about the different shades of squirrels. The black ones are nija squirrels that are on secret opps. Apparently, the humans just let them walk right in like nothing. Sasha is always on the look out for them here. No signs yet. Lots of invisible ones of course. heehee. Love the squirrel news.
It all sounds rather squirrelly to us!
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