Abert’s Squirrels and Wonderful Variations

After moving from Denver to the nearby mountains, I was quite happy to learn that I had four different kinds of squirrels in the area. The Golden Mantle Ground Squirrel, Least Chipmunk, Douglas Pine Squirrel, and the Abert’s Squirrel. The last is also known as the tassel-eared squirrel. Native to the southern Rockies, they can also be found in New Mexico and Arizona. Looking at the Wikipedia page, you can see a quite a few color variations. Here in Colorado they are primarily all black with some outliers.

One thing that surprised me about the colors here versus the ones on Wikipedia, where they are mostly dual-colored. Several grey with a white belly or distinguished white striping on the tail. While there are non-black Abert’s up here, they are fairly rare. Over the last couple years, when contractors were here they almost invariably asked about the Abert’s as the ear tufts are quite distinct and most had never seen one before. Every time, to no one’s surprise probably, I would eagerly launch into detail about all the types of squirrels. It got to the point I was asked for pictures and decided to write a blog.

So here it is, and long overdue. Primarily due to having to go through so many pictures, both from phone and a DSLR camera. Upside, more pictures than anything!

To start, the most common up here, all-black Abert’s squirrels:

As you’d would expect, they spend a fair amount of time in or on trees. When eating small birdseed they stay on the ground, but if they find a peanut, almond, or half a walnut, it is common for them to climb up a tree a bit to eat it. They also love bird feeders.

The black Abert’s on snow provide great contrast and make them easy to see from a considerable distance. When the wind starts it can provide amusing results as far as their ears go.

Ears

Many squirrels around the world have the distinguishing ear tufts, notably the Red Squirrels found in several places. However, Abert’s ear size and style can have considerable variations. Not only in length, but how much is ear versus the tufts that extend from them.

Graybert

Probably my favorite variation in color is grey since it evokes a more common Easter Gray squirrel / Fox squirrel but with ear tufts and a white belly. In the almost three years up here I have seen two so far. I refer to them as ‘Graybert’ squirrels.

Brownbert

Another variation that is often difficult to notice unless they are in the son is a brown coat. Some are considerably lighter and easier to spot, some almost as dark as the black fur. On at least one occasion, the brown was arguably more darker grayish or it faded in spots. I refer to these as ‘Brownbert’ squirrels.

Spot

I could only find a couple pictures, but have seen this from time to time. Occasionally there will be some distinguishing mark, and in these two cases a ‘spot’.

And… ACTION!

Generally speaking, my squirrels tend to get along by keeping some distance. Some days that is a dozen feet, other times a few feet. Every so often there is squirrel drama and the chase begins. Up and around the tree then back down, or in circles, or up and over rocks. Pictures don’t always do it justice, but here are some that give an idea.

Multiples

Just a few to show multiple squirrels and in one case, contrast between a Graybert and Blackbert. The most Abert’s I have seen in one small area (in many of these pictures), is seven.