Infamous, Notorious Kaibab Squirrel

[Bethers]

Mother Nature can beat anything we can dream of - and I'm just amazed by everything I see that she is allowing me to. Every night here I watch the deer (which are so plentiful right now it's major dangerous to be on the road at night). Peaches and I usually manage to scare some into flight during at least one walk a day. But this Kaibab Squirrel is unlike anything I imagined - and so unique - I just feel so lucky and blessed to have not only seen it - but been able to get such shots.

Thanks to those of you who answered some of the asked questions - the internet is something else we can all be so glad for - all this information at our fingertips.

OK, I'm going to see if I can spend some time working on my blog and maybe at least get the Alaska trip finished today or tomorrow

[retiredhappy]

Sooooo cool. Love the pictures. Good catch.

[Sparkle]

The fireplace screen in front of the big stone fireplace(can't take a photo of the screen right now becuase the fire is on) has a Petroglyph pattern of two herds of deer coming together. A Paiute Indian woman told us the story. There is a large herd of deer here. They are gathering together right now preparing to migrate to a lower elevation. There are no deer here in the winter. We can get 22ft of snow. In another part of the forest a second herd is also gathering. The Paiute lady told us that she just happened to be in the right spot when the two herds came together. When they scent each other they begin to run towards each other and the two herds mingle like river water. They seem to converse - how was your summer? Oh my, twins you say? My rack's bigger than your rack! They spend the winter at the lower elevation, then as the snows melt they slowly make their way back up to almost 9000ft. I wonder if they all go back to the same place or is it a mingling of each herd?

[asirimarco]

Neat pictures Beth - looks like they w ere just posing for you. Interesting about the tail.

[WickedLady]

I have seen pictures of these (probably in one of my nature magazines) but how neat that you got your own personal photo.

[Carolinagal]

Beth, how lucky you are to have gotten such good shots, thanks so much for sharing them. I have seen them as have been there, but no pictures. Nice refreshing my memory on the fact they do exist and only there. Thanks too, to Sparkle and others who shared the info on them, I learn something all the time here, on this forum, Thanks ladies. I especially enjoyed your story of the Indian woman, Sparkle. I have to go back and look at your pictures again, they are so good.

Safe travels,
Carol

Just checked those pictures out again and the ones of him in the tree, are really something, his tail is so bushed out, beautiful, even if its the tail of an animal

[Bethers]

When I work in housekeeping, I usually bring Peaches with me for at least part of my day. She sits outside the cabins and dreams of being let off the leash and running in the fields (which I let her do for a bit before I take her back home). Today, when I took her home - I saw an adult and a juvie kaibab squirrel. Grabbed the camera but they were camera shy - just got the adults tail in one pic, I believe. I had wondered if the young'uns had the white tail. Nope, don't. Someone here told me their tail goes white their first winter and then stays that way. I would think it not being white gives it a better chance of hiding from predators until it gets bigger. Just my guess on the matter.

[Echo]

Super awesome pics Beth. Just love them.

We had only been here less than a week when I seen my first one. It was first thing in the morning around 6am and thought I was seeing things! I hadn't tanked on coffee. I blinked hard then rubbed my eyes and it was still there. In the middle of the road just about in front of where you are parked. I thought it was a freaking rabbit with a tail problem. When I spoke to Ellen and told her about my 'siting' she laughed and told me about the Kaibab Squirrel. I had never heard of them either.

Kelly finally saw her first Kaibab Squirrel the other day and about flipped. She called me on the walkie/talkie and was squealing and so excited I couldn't understand her. LOL Then yesterday we saw a youngster who of course was all solid black! Kelly would love to get a few pictures of one of them.

It's so kool that this is the only place that their found. They also have things out here called "ringtailed cats" too. Haven't seen one of them but sure would like too.

[avalen]

the ringtail cat is actually a member of the racoon family and the state mammal
of Arizona. Its been referred to over time as the "miners cat" as it was easily
domesticated back in the days of miners and they kept them to get rid of mice
and vermin in the camp. I saw a ringtail a few years ago at the middle school
early in the morning, I had no idea what it was them so I had to go do some
research on the wild critters of arizona. Would love to see one again, in the
wild of course.

[oregontocal]

I love the pictures, Beth. So glad you were able to see the squirrels. I remember Sparkle telling me about the them her first year at the lodge. I think Fran and I actually saw one on a drive there several years ago but weren't able to get a picture.