Белка где живет: Белка лесная — описание животного: где живет и спит, чем питается, зачем нужно дупло

Где живет белка и чем питается? Как живут белки в лесу

Белки распространены практически по всему миру (за исключением Австралии). Подвижное млекопитающее относится к семейству грызунов. Существует множество самых различных видов этих животных, отличающихся размерами, окраской шерсти, повадками и средой обитания. Они могут быть древесными и земляными, пушистыми и не очень, встречаются даже колючие экземпляры. Где живет белка – во многом зависит от того, к какому виду она относится. Но все они – довольно добродушные и милые зверьки, вызывающие своим поведением всеобщий восторг.

Виды белок

Всего в мире их насчитывают около 200. Наиболее необычные и забавные обитают в основном на территории Северной Америки. К ним можно отнести бурундуковых и наземных полосатых белок, живущих в норах, а также черную, каролинскую серую и аберту, предпочитающих деревья. В Российской Федерации чаще встречается рыжая представительницу этого семейства. Ее еще называют белкой обыкновенной. В некоторых лесах также попадаются летяги, а в южных степях – бурундуки.

Где живет и чем питается белка, зависит от ее вида. Например, у земляных белок не такие пушистые хвосты, как у древесных. Ведь последние используют их для «подруливания» при прыжках и балансировках на ветках. А бурундуку подобное богатство совершенно ни к чему: он свое пропитание добывает на земле. У летяг, прыгающих на внушительные расстояния, лапы соединены перепонками, способными раскрываться в воздухе по принципу парашюта.

Повадки обыкновенных белок

Эта типичная жительница русских лесов, начиная с тайги и заканчивая южными широтами, – настоящая красавица. Дважды в год (весной и осенью) она меняет свою шубку, чтобы летом щеголять в ярко-рыжей, а зимой быть не столь заметной в сером, утепленном наряде. Обыкновенная белка живет в дупле, реже – просто в гнезде, свитом в густых ветвях. У многих зверушек таких домиков несколько. В одном она живет и выводит потомство, а остальные использует в качестве кладовок.

В спячку зимой она не впадает, а с желудями и орехами – основным кормом этого грызуна – во время холодов довольно туго. Вот и запасает хозяйственная зверушка их себе на черный день, пряча по гнездам. Как живет белка в лесу, несложно увидеть, если посетить ближайшую рощу или крупный парк. Эти животные довольно общительны и часто относятся к людям с доверием, с удовольствием угощаясь принесенным лакомством в виде орехов или семечек. Но нужно помнить, что белка – существо дикое. У нее есть острые зубы и длинные когти, так что с рук их лучше не кормить, особенно маленьким детям.

Рацион древесной белки

Основной корм таежной красавицы – кедровые орехи и желуди. В зависимости от того, где живет белка, ее меню может разбавляться семечками других шишек, грибами, ягодами и даже птичьими яйцами. Да, это милое и, на первый взгляд, безобидное существо нередко разоряет гнезда. Летом проблем с кормом нет. А вот с наступлением холодов опавшие желуди заметает снег, грибы не растут, да и шишки бывает не так просто отыскать. Но запасливый зверек заблаговременно набивает свои кладовые припасами. Поэтому в дуплах деревьев в лесах, где живет белка, без труда можно найти залежи орехов и сушеных грибов, желудей и семечек.

Если год выдался неурожайным, она не побрезгует молодыми ветками деревьев, почками и даже корой. А еще белка способна передвигаться на внушительные расстояния в поисках пищи. Причем животные это делают массово и могут бежать несколько дней практически без перерыва. В хвойных лесах, где живет белка, часто встречаются шишки с характерными следами их зубов. Эти животные играют важную роль в размножении ели, сосны и других растений, разнося их семена.

Размножение

Спариваются белки, как правило, 2 раза в год (весной и осенью). Но бывает, что самка успевает вывести и 3 помета потомства. Жениха она находит себе на 1 сезон. Отцом семейства его назвать сложно, поскольку после своего участия в процессе зачатия он попросту сбегает. Все заботы о воспитании потомства, постройке гнезда и безопасности бельчат берет на себя их мать. Хотя бывают исключения, когда родители кормят и защищают их поочередно.

Весной детенышей обычно меньше (от 2 до 4). Осенью, после того, как самка откормится и наберет вес, она может принести до десятка бельчат. Они рождаются слепыми и беспомощными, но, благодаря заботе мамаши, довольно быстро подрастают. Спустя всего пару месяцев белка может оставить своих вполне самостоятельных детей и начать налаживать свою личную жизнь. Нередки случаи, когда они долго теснятся в одном гнезде. Иногда к ним возвращается и мать, но уже с младшими братьями и сестрами. Уже к следующей весне малыши сами будут способны к воспроизведению потомства. С учетом того, сколько лет живут белки в естественной среде, это вполне нормально. Средняя продолжительность для древесных видов не превышает 4 лет, но иногда доходит и до 9.

Зоологи заметили, что белка часто усыновляет соседских детенышей-сирот. Она перетаскивает их в собственное гнездо и заботится, как о родных.

Белки-летяги

Это наиболее примечательная зверушка из всего семейства. В русских лесах встречается летяга обыкновенная, а на планете их насчитывается около десятка разновидностей. Несмотря на ряд существенных отличий, как внешних, так и поведенческих, их объединяет способ перемещения. Лазать по деревьям они могут так же, как их обыкновенные сородичи. Внешне зверек не очень примечательный – серой окраски с более темной спинкой. Заметить летягу бывает непросто. На деревьях она отлично маскируется, а вниз практически не спускается. Но если возникает необходимость преодолеть за один раз расстояние в несколько десятков метров, она в прыжке растопыривает лапки и раскрывает покрытые мехом перепонки, планируя, как на парашюте. При помощи довольно длинного гибкого хвоста, животное способно корректировать траекторию. Перед «посадкой» летяга переходит в вертикальное положение и цепляется за ствол всеми лапками. Так она может перелетать с одного дерева на другое, преодолевая за раз до 50 метров.

Наземные белки

Проживают преимущественно в Северной Америке, но изредка встречаются и в Средней Азии. Внешне они больше напоминают ближайших сородичей — бурундуков, которых можно отличить по характерной полосатой спинке. Эти белки живут в норах, где тоже строят гнезда и выводят потомство. Они не так привлекательны, как обычные, и лишены их главного украшения – большого пушистого хвоста. Он у них есть, но самый обыкновенный. Питаются зверьки преимущественно орехами, зернами и другими семенами, иногда охотятся на мелких насекомых.

Влияние человека на численность животных

Будучи одним из промысловых пушных зверей, обычная белка десятилетиями нещадно истреблялась ради собственного меха. Но, благодаря плодовитости, не относится ни к исчезающим видам, ни даже к редким. Злую шутку с ней сыграла вовсе не пушная, а деревообрабатывающая промышленность. Многие белки из-за массовой вырубки леса были вынуждены покинуть свое привычное место обитания, нарушив, таким образом, пищевую цепочку и баланс экосистемы. В первую очередь это касается таежных регионов. Но в последние годы, благодаря охране лесных угодий и организации заповедников, звери чувствуют себя намного комфортнее.

Как живут белки в неволе

На удивление дольше, чем в природе. Находясь в клетке зоопарка или даже в обычной квартире, белка чувствует себя довольно неплохо. Особенно, если ей создать условия, приближенные к естественным. Для этого понадобится несколько веток и кусочков коры, чтобы она строила себе гнездо. А еще специальное колесо, в котором белка будет бегать, компенсируя ограниченность пространства. При должном уходе животное может прожить так до 12 лет. Причем неволю отлично переносят и обыкновенные рыжие красавицы, и черные, и бурундуки.

Белка – очень милая зверушка, относящаяся к семейству грызунов. В природе они живут не очень долго, но прекрасно осваиваются в неволе. Белки бывают самыми разными: крупными и совсем крохотными, с шикарной шубкой и невзрачные, а обитать могут и на деревьях, и в норах, в зависимости от разновидности.

90000 Where do squirrels live? The answer may surprise you! 90001 90002 When you take a peek outside your window or a stroll through the park, it is not surprising to catch a squirrel scurrying past you and scaling the trunk of a tree. You may wonder though, «90003 Where do squirrels live? 90004 «, or even» What do squirrels eat? «. The bushy-tailed, frisky little critters actually come in a surprisingly wide variety of species and where they live depends on the species of squirrel as well as the region in which they live.In the following article, we’ll take a look at the most common type of squirrel as well as some you may not have even been aware existed, and discover where they choose to call home and why these particular habitats suit them and their needs. 90005 90002 The animal that most likely comes to mind when you hear the world «squirrel» is a small, furry gray animal with round ears and a big, bushy tail. This is the most common type of squirrel, found in our schoolyards, dashing across lawns and dashing across parks with their mouths full of food.The most common type is the Eastern Gray Squirrel found throughout North America and some other regions. 90005 90008 Where does the Eastern Gray Squirrel Live? 90009 90002 90011 90005 90002 The Eastern Gray Squirrel (Sciurus carolinensis) is a tree squirrel that is native to the eastern and Midwestern United States and can also be found in parts of eastern Canada. This is an adaptive species of squirrel that has been exposed to a variety of environments and thrives in both rural locations as well as the bustling cities of Manhattan and Boston.It has also been introduced to parts of Great Britain, Italy, Ireland, South Africa and Australia, though it has not been seen there since it was extirpated in тисячі дев’ятсот сімдесят три (source). 90005 90002 Given that the Eastern gray squirrel is a tree squirrel, it makes its habitat in the trunks of sturdy trees in dense wooded areas of its environment. The forests in which they dwell generally cover up to 100 acres of land and contain large amounts of heavy vegetation and underbrush that not only serve as an excellent food source but also provide shelter and disguise from predators.The Eastern gray squirrels tend to favor Oak-hickory forests instead of coniferous forests. 90005 90002 The animals will construct their dens either high in the branches or within the hollow trunks of the threes. These dens will be found lined with moss plants, thistle, blades of dried grass and feathers. They’ve even been known to take over abandoned bird nests. A cover to the insulated den is usually built afterwards, preventing heat loss and keeping the squirrel and any baby squirrels it may have secure and protected from the elements and being easily identified by predators.90005 90002 One reason why trees are so favorable for Eastern gray squirrels is that in modernized rural atmospheres or urban environments, they can easily move from tree-to-tree and have much more access to food sources. Humans who leave out bird feeders will often be amazed at the squirrel’s ability to contort its body as it collects food. This is due to its ability to rotate its hind feet and descend trunks head-first as well as balance itself as it reaches out and grabs seeds. 90005 90002 While the Eastern gray squirrel is the most recognized among Americans, it is only one of over 200 species of the family Sciuridae, which contains various small to medium sized rodents such as the prairie dog.The types of squirrels vary from tree squirrels like the Eastern gray to ground-dwellers such as the prairie dog. 90005 90002 90024 90005 90008 Where does the Indian Palm Squirrel Live? 90009 90002 Another tree squirrel to note, however, is the Indian palm squirrel. They are the most popular type found throughout India’s regions and differ slightly from their American cousin. The Indian palm squirrel or three-striped palm squirrel (Funambulus palmarum) are found all over India as well as Sir Lanka.They were introduced to West Australia and have since become a minor pest due to its lack of natural predators (source). Resembling a chipmunk more than the Eastern gray squirrel, the Indian palm squirrel is slightly larger than a chipmunk but possesses a very similar gray-brown coat of fur that has three white stripes that run from head to tail. The stripes, often a dark gray and white, are found bilaterally from the head to the tail, and the tail itself is dense with thick black and gray hairs.90005 90002 More easily domesticated than Eastern gray squirrels, Indian palm squirrels are known to prefer urban areas. They can be easily tamed, and consist off a diet primarily of fruit and nuts. They are considered sacred in India and not to be harmed, mostly for their association with the Hindu diety Lord Rama, so it is not uncommon for people to be friendly toward them and offer them food. They still construct their nests in tree branches and hollow trunks, but unlike other types of squirrels, they do not hibernate during the winter.90005 90002 90033 90005.90000 Where Do Flying Squirrels Live? 90001 90002 Gray squirrels are a common sight in many city parks and rural woodlands, but 90003 where do flying squirrels live 90004? Like their flightless relatives, flying squirrels thrive in a habitat with many trees and plenty of places to find their favorite food. Unlike other squirrels, they use trees as launching pads. 90005 90002 Flying squirrels do not really fly. They glide. To get started, they push themselves off the trunk or large branch of a tree.They stretch out their limbs so that two folds of skin along the sides of their body fan out like sails. Momentum carries them through the air until they land on the next tree up to 320 feet away. 90005 90002 World wide, 43 types of flying squirrels live across three continents. One species — the Siberian flying squirrel — lives in northern Eurasia. Two groups live in North America, with very small populations found in Mexico and Central America. Many species live in the rain forests of India and Southeast Asia, and several species, such as the San Bernardino flying squirrel, populate tiny areas and may be threatened with extinction.Seven species live in central Africa. 90005 90002 Flying squirrels flourish in climates from temperate to tropical, with a few living in Arctic conditions, but one thing they all have in common is that they need trees. They are good at gliding around forests, but not so good at walking. On the ground they are slow and clumsy, making them vulnerable to predators. 90005 90012 What Do Flying Squirrels Eat 90013 90002 Flying squirrels are omnivores, so they eat both plants and animals. Important food sources are seeds, lichens, berries and fungi, items that are plentiful in the dense forests they inhabit.In winter, coniferous seeds are a vital food, but flying squirrels will also store nuts and lichens in tree crevices and in holes in the ground, like their non-flying relatives. As omnivores, flying squirrels will feed on insects and animals such as mice, shrews, nestling birds and even carrion — the flesh of dead animals. They eat more animal foods than most other rodents. 90005 90016 North American Flying Squirrels 90017 90002 Two types live in the forests of North America: the northern flying squirrel and the southern flying squirrel.Northern flying squirrels live throughout Canada and in southeast Alaska. South of Canada, they range into California and can be found in the Yosemite Valley. In the east, their range extends throughout New England and into Pennsylvania. Two sub-species of the northern flying squirrel live in small areas of the southern Appalachian Mountains, the Carolina and the Virginia northern flying squirrel. 90005 90002 90021 90005 90002 Southern flying squirrels range from the northeast of the United States south to Florida.In the west, they can be found from Minnesota to Texas. One species lives in the San Bernardino Mountains of southern California. Compared to the patchy range of the northern flying squirrel, the range of the southern flying squirrel is more cohesive. 90005 90002 It can be difficult to tell northern and southern flying squirrels apart because they are similar in size and coloring. The northern flying squirrel is slightly smaller, weighing about five ounces. Both are gray and light brown in color, although the northern flying squirrel has a white belly.Their ranges overlap, but one clue to identification is, where do flying squirrels live? The northern flying squirrel generally prefers higher elevations with mostly coniferous — or cone-bearing — trees such as fir, spruce and cedar. The southern flying squirrel is more likely to be found in forests of deciduous trees — those that lose their leaves in the fall. A good way to decide which type of flying squirrel is living in a particular place is to look at the trees. 90005 90002 Another question to answer when identifying flying squirrels is, when are they active? Northern flying squirrels are more tolerant of cold and are active in the winter.Southern flying squirrels are more likely to hole up in their nests and sleep through some of the coldest days, although neither species hibernates for the entire season. Winter snow is no problem for either northern or southern flying squirrels. They glide over the drifts or tunnel under the snow, which shields them from prowling predators. 90005 90002 90030 90005 90002 Both northern and southern flying squirrels prefer old-growth forests because they need tall trees with thick cover for protection from the animals that hunt them.Many animals feed on flying squirrels, including foxes and raccoon, birds of prey such as owls and hawks, and even house cats. The small rodents escape from those fierce hunters by gliding from tree to tree and hiding among the twigs and leaves. 90005 90002 Another reason why the question where do flying squirrels live is important is that the squirrels nest in fallen trees but not thin, scrubby ones. They look for snags — dead trees that remain standing — with wide-diameter trunks, that is, older trees, and they seek out nooks and crevices in the decaying wood.They will make use of old woodpecker holes if they find them. They line their nest-holes with shredded moss, leaves and lichen. Sometimes they will build shaggy-looking nests high in trees where two branches join. They will come to human-built nesting boxes, but only if the boxes are in the forested habitat they prefer. They will also take seeds and suet from backyard bird feeders that are within their range. 90005 90002 90037 90005.90000 All about Squirrel Nests 90001 90002 Squirrels are always entertaining guests in your yard. They bound around and look cute thanks to their fuzzy tails and adorable little button eyes. They’re amazing acrobats and climbers. They’re also highly intelligent — they can learn, solve problems and even be trained to feed straight out of our hands. 90003 90002 But what do we really know about squirrels? What can we learn about squirrels to help us understand them better? What other tools do we need as we try to coexist with them as people who also love to feed birds? 90003 90002 If you’ve observed these creatures darting up a tree, you may have asked yourself «Where do squirrels live?» and «What do squirrel nests look like?» 90003 90002 We are ready to help you find those answers, and with them you’ll have a greater understanding of squirrel habits.90003 90010 Types of Squirrel Nests 90011 90002 There are two different types of squirrel nests that can be found in the trees surrounding your backyard: Tree cavity dens or leaf nests. 90003 90014 90015 Tree Cavity Den — A tree cavity den is often first created by a woodpecker, abandoned by that bird and later claimed by a squirrel. Other tree cavity dens are created through the natural processes that can hollow out an old tree. These homes are squirrel favorites because they provide the best protection from rain, wind and snow.90016 90015 Leaf Nests — These constructions are found at least 20 feet up in a tree. Leaf nests are usually tucked in the fork of a large tree branch, which adds stability. You can tell them apart from bird nests because they are noticeably larger than a typical bird nest. 90016 90019 90010 90011 90010 How is a Squirrel Leaf Nest Constructed? 90011 90002 Leaf nests are constructed from various twigs, leaves, moss and other material. To start, twigs are loosely woven together to make up the floor of the nest.Next, squirrels create more stability by packing damp leaves and moss on top of the twig platform to reinforce the structure. Then a spherical frame is woven around the base, which creates the outer shell. The final touches include stuffing in leaves, moss, twigs and sometimes even paper to build up the outer shell of the new home. 90003 90002 The inner cavity of its leaf nest is about six to eight inches in diameter and lined with more material, usually shredded bark, grass and leaves. However, some squirrel species, including Gray Squirrels, can have nests that are much larger.Some nest cavities can span 2 feet wide! 90003 90010 Squirrel Vacation Homes 90011 90002 Squirrels are constantly on the move, scurrying about from bird feeder to bird feeder and even from yard to yard. Because of that, it’s common for squirrels to have second and third nests located near their main home, but at varying distances. These additional squirrel nests are often used in an emergency to hide from a nearby predator, to store extra food and even as a temporary rest stop throughout a day’s activity.90003 90010 A Squirrel Nest Timeline 90011 90002 Squirrels usually nest by themselves. However, during the height of mating time, usually at the beginning of the calendar year, male and female squirrels will double up in a nest briefly for the purpose of mating. They may also share a nest to conserve body heat during the coldest stage of winter weather. 90003 90002 Once spring arrives, the female squirrels turn their focus to nursing and raising their new litters. Young squirrels venture outside of the nest beginning around the six-week-old mark.After the mother squirrel teaches her brood the rules of survival, most young squirrels leave the nest for good around 10 to 12 weeks of age. Some get extended training and will stay with Mom until the second litter arrives in late summer, usually in August. 90003 90002 Squirrel nest-building activity is often noticeable in June and July. That’s when mother squirrels are teaching their spring-born young how to build nests. But that is not the busy period! Not even close! 90003 90002 The real squirrel nest construction boom happens during the fall.While many wild birds and animals are migrating to avoid the colder winter months, squirrels are busy collecting material and assembling strong, secure nests that can make it through a blustery winter. 90003 90010 Preventing Squirrels from Eating Bird Seed 90011 90002 Since just about any tree in a backyard can be a paradise for a nesting squirrel, it’s not surprising that they’ll show interest in your bird feeders. 90003 90002 If you want to save your bird seed for birds, your best option is to limit a squirrel’s ability to get to the feeder.If they do get to the feeder, then you can also try to keep them from enjoying what they find! Some ideas: 90003 90014 90015 90050 Focus on placement — 90051 You need to place your bird feeders in areas that work against a squirrel’s physical prowess. Avoid branches, poles and platforms that squirrels could use to reach a feeder. Try using a squirrel baffle or pole-mounted feeder for extra squirrel-proofing measures. 90016 90015 90050 Select the best type of squirrel resistant feeder — 90051 Weight activated squirrel resistant feeders are popular among bird lovers who have large numbers of squirrels visiting their yards.Also, investing in bird feeders that have a baffle or cage will limit squirrel access to bird seed. 90016 90015 90050 Change the taste — 90051 Look for seed that birds love but squirrels hate. Try a thistle feeder or switch to safflower seeds, both of which squirrels dislike. You can also «season» your bird seed with cayenne pepper, another squirrel deterrent. 90016 90015 90050 Monitor feeder activity — 90051 Monitor the bird feeders in your backyard not only for birds, but for squirrels and other unwanted backyard pests.Learn how squirrels and other critters are accessing your feeders and try to come up with a plan to stop them. 90016 90015 90050 Understand how persistent they are — 90051 Let’s face it, squirrels have all day to think of ways to get bird seed out of your feeder. With all that time, along with their keen intelligence, they are a difficult opponent to overcome. Even when you think a squirrel has been defeated, it may surprise you later on! 90016 90019 90010 Squirrel Benefits 90011 90002 Of course it’s also good to remember that squirrels are good for the environment, too.As one of the most common creatures in towns, cities and suburbs, they provide a lot of benefits to our neighborhoods. 90003 90014 90015 They’re fun for us to watch. In fact, for many people a squirrel is one of the few wild animals they see on a daily basis! 90016 90015 By digging for food, squirrels aerate the soil, which promotes better vegetation growth. 90016 90015 The nuts and seeds that they hide and forget are either eaten by other animals. If they are not eaten, then many grow into new plants.90016 90015 Squirrels also eat insects, including tree-infesting beetles and grubs that damage lawns. 90016 90015 Their unused nests, particularly those in tree cavities, are almost always reused by other animals. 90016 90015 Squirrels are an important food source for birds of prey. 90016 90015 Did we mention squirrels are really cute? 90016 90019 90010 Your Squirrel Nests 90011 90002 Take the time to look up today. How many squirrel nests can you see around your yard? Did you ever notice them before? Now that you know what to look for, you’ll start to see them everywhere! 90003.90000 Squirrels by heavenlybackyardbird on DeviantArt 90001 90002 I saw a squirrel in a tree, 90003 I swear it stopped and smiled at me, 90003 I asked the squirrel where he’d been, 90003 He told me all the things he’d seen, 90003 We talked and talked about so many things, 90003 From humming birds to diamond rings, 90003 We discussed how things in life should go, 90003 I was so glad i said hello, 90003 The squirrel introduced his wife, 90003 And told me all about his life, 90003 I shared the news about mine, 90003 We even had a glass of wine, 90003 Me and squirrel always chat, 90003 From politics to this and that, 90003 He does not see the bad just good, 90003 I love to visit the deep dark wood.90003 ~ Phil Wiggins 90019 90002 Enjoy! 90019 90002 90023 90023 90019 90002 90019 90002 90019 90002 90019 90002 90023 90019 90002 90019 90002 90023 90019 90002 90023 90019 90002 90023 90019.