A Women's RV Forum run by Women RVer's!

I'd heard about the Kaibab squirrel but really didn't know if I believed it existed. Then the other day, I was sitting in my rig reading a book while eating dinner and something running past outside caught my eye. I've been used to the chipmunks in particular - but knew this was not a chipmunk or regular squirrel. My fleeting impression was of a cat. Then a few minutes later, same thing. So, I got up and looked, and, of course, nothing. Waited awhile - and there it was - zipping past - this mainly black animal with a bushy white tail. Cat size. Now, remember, I had never seen a Kaibab squirrel and didn't really know what one looked like. But this animal intrigued me and I went out to see if I could get a better look. Ha - they didn't want anything to do with me. Ran so fast (yes, there were 2 of them) that I didn't even have time to turn the camera on. Well, I grabbed Peaches, and we went over a bit and quietly sat and hoped they would return near my rig where they had seemed to be enjoying themselves. And I got very lucky. They did return, but didn't like my closeness - one ran - here's that picture:



The 2nd one I got luckier - it ran up the tree outside my rig:







I've been looking and looking to see them again - but the only other one I've seen, unfortunately, was roadkill when Sparkle and I went to town next (no, not by us). I'm thinking I was very, very lucky to not just see one, but two of these neat animals - and to be able to get pictures, too. It's a rare animal - this is the ONLY place in the world it lives - in only a 20 by 40 mile area.

Wow Beth, that's neat! I've never heard of those. What caused them to be limited to that area only and to have that distinct coloring? Any history?

what a find Beth
and they are just cool looking...you were in the right place at the
right time I'm thinking
enjoyed the pictures...only in that area heard the name but didn't
know anything about them
thanks for sharing with us
sheila

how cool are those guys!?!

wow, how cool, your so lucky to get those shots, wonder why they are marked that
way, seems like nature made that white tail stand out like a surrender flag. Now
I'm gonna have to go google it and see what I come up with, I'm so curious.

interesting, never had heard of them before. 20x40 mile area, eh? That's amazing! Great shots!

..

What a neat looking animal!
Never heard of them before.
Cool pictures.

..

EVERTHING I know about Kaibab Squirrels. They are a type of Abert Squirrel. When the uplift happened and split the Grand Canyon the Aberts stayed as they were on the South side. The North side developed into a different species. They have tufted ears, are much larger than the Grey Squirrel and of course that unique tail. Now the story is, don't know how true this one is....when they are out in the snow and hear a hawk they fling that tail over their dark backs and blend into the snow. Hmmm, what is a Squirrel doing out in the snow? Shouldn't it be hibernating? Beth is so lucky to have got those great shots. I've been here 3 years and never photographed one.
We also have Weasels here, in winter they change their coats and become Ermine. The owners, who stay here all winter often watch them playing in the snow.

I googled it and its like Sparkle said, the ear tufts are longer in the winter, AND...
they don't hibernate and they don't stash such big hords of food like other squirrels
and their MAIN diet is the pinecone/nuts off the ponderosa pine. Very interesting.

I have squirrels in my yard but nothing like the Kaibab. I wonder why the white tail, is there a story?

VERRRRRRRRRRY interesting! Thanks for the background.

My bet is that white tail is for camoflage for preditors in the winter! I'm sure the little things could become a wolf's dinner VERRY easily!

Great pictures Beth! Thank you and also thanks to Sparkle for the background.

They look like a combination of a few animals. Of course squirrel, but also Skunk (tail plumage), Jack Rabbit (body shape and the way it looks like it hops and the ears) and cat (body length). Great pictures, thanks for sharing. Linda