The black squirrel is a melanistic subgroup of the eastern grey squirrel. As a melanistic variety of the Grey Squirrel, individual black squirrels can exist wherever Gray Squirrels live. The black subgroup is particularly abundant in the northern part of the Eastern Grey's range. This may be due to the significantly increased cold tolerance of black individuals. Large natural populations of black squirrels can be found throughout Ontario, and in several parts of Michigan, Wisconsin and Ohio. Populations of grey squirrels in which the black subgroup is dominant can be found in these four areas as well as in smaller enclaves in New Jersey, Illinois, and Connecticut.
I snapped this shot outside The Butterfly Conservatory in Niagaga Falls, Ontario. Has anyone ever seen one in Maine?
Don't know about Maine, but here in Virginia, we have the grey, and an occasional red. I've never seen a black one before!
ReplyDeleteI saw a black squirrel a week ago in Wiscasset Maine. It was on a tree, frozen, (I had my dog with me so I think it was trying to be invisible). I didn't have my phone with me or I would have certainly taken a picture, I have never seen one in Maine before. Or anywhere actually.
ReplyDeleteI just saw one crossing Rt 194 in Newcastle Maine. I've never seen one before.
ReplyDeleteI saw one in Boothbay Harbor, Maine yesterday.
ReplyDeleteI saw one on Oak Street in Boothbay Harbor today.
ReplyDeleteAnd I saw one this morning in Wiscasset!!! Was shocked! Had no idea there was such a thing :)
ReplyDeleteSaw one in Carrabassett Valley this morning....jan 21, 2014
ReplyDeleteSaw one on a tree stump just off the side of Appalachee Road in Boothbay Harbor, Maine this past Tuesday morning, September 9, 2014. What a cutie!
ReplyDeleteI live on Barters Island in Trevett just beside Boothbay Maine and I have a family of 4 which use to be 5 until my cat killed one two days ago. The rest of the family is in trees out in front of my house and they almost look dead when they stop and freeze themselves to avoid attackers. They are also Jet Black! CW
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