Invasion of the Grey Squirrel

Grey squirrels may seem a dime-a-dozen, but some may be rarer than you think.

The all-to-common eastern grey squirrel

Until recently there were only two species of tree squirrel in California: the Douglas squirrel and the western grey squirrel. Then, at the beginning of the 20th century, the eastern grey squirrel and the fox squirrel were introduced and their populations quickly boomed.

 This boom has come at the expense of the native species. The eastern grey squirrel in particular has a remarkable ability to thrive in urban environments. Any grey squirrel you may have seen in a city, a park, or just around the neighborhood, it was assuredly an eastern grey. Western grey squirrels on the other hand, appear to be the introverts of the tree squirrels. They stay away from cities, towns and almost all kinds of human habitation and stick to California's forests. Because of this, they are quickly losing habit to development where eastern grays, fox squirrels, and humans can thrive.

California is not alone in the eastern grey's invasion. The squirrel was introduced to England in the late 19th century and has since run amok throughout the British Isles. From England they have even managed to invade a peninsula of South Africa.

In England the eastern grey squirrel is considered more than just a pest. Rapidly reproducing and severely out-competing the UK's native red squirrel, drastic steps are being taken to cull the rodent and stop it's spread. Among the most drastic of these steps are attempts to make squirrels into a desirable delicacy.

The idea is to get big-name-chefs, such as Jamie Oliver, to endorse eating grey squirrels in England, and some chefs, like Jimmy Doherty, are even jumping on board. Doherty recently suggesting barbecue squirrel as a summer treat. England's government is also pursuing more straightforward methods, such as a massive cull throughout all of England using poisoned bait.

The unfortunately shy western grey squirrel

In California the damage from the eastern grey squirrels may not be as severe yet, but is certainly becoming concerning. While not yet endangered, the western grey squirrel is listed as threatened in Washington and it's populations continue to decline throughout the west coast.

So the next time you see a squirrel in the park or on the street remember that you are looking at more than a cute, furry, arboreal rodent; you are looking at an invader. And a damn good one too.




Sources:

http://instructional1.calstatela.edu/amuchli/squirrelform.htm
http://home.intekom.com/ecotravel/Guides/Wildlife/Vertebrates/Mammals/Smaller/Grey_Squirrel.htm
http://www.dnr.state.oh.us/tabid/6646/Default.aspx
http://extension.oregonstate.edu/catalog/pdf/ec/ec1572.pdf
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/politics/4835690.stm
http://www.treehugger.com/culture/eat-the-enemy-invasive-squirrel-introduced-as-ethical-food-in-uk-butcher-shops.html
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/foodanddrink/9438410/Jimmy-Doherty-Jamie-Olivers-mate-says-barbecue-grey-squirrel-this-summer.html

Both photos were taken from: http://wdfw.wa.gov/conservation/gray_squirrel/