Overview
The Douglas Squirrel (Tamiasciurus douglasii), affectionately known in the Pacific Northwest as the Chickaree, is a fiery, charismatic pine squirrel that rules the temperate conifer rainforests of the Pacific Coast. Celebrated by legendary naturalist John Muir as ‘the wildest and most active animal in the woods,’ this energetic acrobat spends its days harvesting giant conifer cones, caching subterranean fungal truffles, and vocalizing with explosive chatter.
Biology and Physical Characteristics
Tamiasciurus douglasii is a compact, muscular tree squirrel with an olive-brown to reddish-grey back, a prominent black lateral stripe along each side in summer, and an eye-catching bright orange to deep rust-colored belly. It features bold white rings around its dark, inquisitive eyes and small tufts of black hair on its ears in winter. Its bushy tail is bordered in glowing rusty-orange with black tips, carried gracefully over its back.
Behavior and Ecology
A vital forest gardener, the Douglas Squirrel gathers thousands of green conifer cones in late summer, dropping them from high canopy branches and burying them in massive, moist subterranean storage heaps called ‘middens.’ In winter, it relies on these damp middens to preserve seed moisture and prevent cones from opening. It also excavates and consumes hypogeous fungal truffles, dispersing essential mycorrhizal spores across the forest floor.
Conservation and Human Impact
Classified as Least Concern by the IUCN, the Douglas Squirrel is abundant throughout protected wilderness areas, national parks, and national forests in the Cascade and Sierra Nevada ranges. It requires mature conifer stands with abundant cone crops and standing dead snag trees for nesting, making old-growth forest conservation vital to maintaining healthy local populations.
Interesting Factoid
Naturalist John Muir called the Douglas Squirrel ‘the most active animal in the woods,’ noting that its lightning-fast speed and endless chattering made it seem as though it were powered by pure steam.