This *Abert's Squirrel grabbed a pine cone off the ground and retreated to this low branch to gnaw on the cone to get the seeds within. After it ate all the seeds in the cone, it moved to the bottom of the limb and chewed on some of the inner bark before moving to a different limb with another pine cone. It's the first time I've ever seen this species of squirrel and was struck by the size of it's tufted ears as well as the very bushy tail. It also has a very vivid streak of cinnamon colored fur down it's back and behind it's ears. All in all, an unusual and great looking squirrel.



*The Abert's squirrel was named after Col. J.J. Abert, a naturalist and military officer who observed and recorded information about western wildlife in the early 1800's. The first published description of this squirrel was in 1852 by Dr. S.W. Woodhouse, who encountered this squirrel while participating in the Sitgreaves exploration of the Colorado and Zuni Rivers. The Abert’s squirrel does not hoard food, but eats whatever part of its host tree, ponderosa pine, is available in season: cones and inner bark of twigs.