Hair Color Variation of Adult Gray Squirrels in Winter Pelage

Hair Color Variation of Adult Gray Squirrels in Winter Pelage

A study was conducted on hair samples taken from 15 gray squirrels (Sciurus carolinensis). These samples were obtained from 8 specific points on the squirrel's body and the banding pattern was noted. The results indicated that in the lateral rump regions, the guard hairs were mainly four-banded and the underfur was also four-banded. In the lateral shoulder regions, the guard hairs were four-banded and the underfur was three-banded. The samples taken from the top of the head and along the back of the squirrel showed that the guard hairs were five-banded and the underfur was three- banded. The results for gray squirrels in the black phase showed that guard hairs were either three-banded or solid black in all regions. The underfur also revealed three bands in all regions sampled.

Beck, David

Biology

Lake Superior State University

1978

Copyright David Beck all rights reserved. LSSU use only.

application/pdf

English

text.monograph

S20210127001