The eastern gray squirrel (Sciurus carolinensis) is the official state wild game animal of Kentucky and has been since its adoption in 1968. Unlike many other states, Kentucky does not have a classic “state animal”, nor does it have land or marine mammals, the only official animal to represent the bluegrass state is the squirrel. Show The gray squirrel is one of the largest members of the rodent family and has been residing in North America for over 37 million years. They are extremely intelligent and good planners, which is a strong reason why they have survived for so long and adapted to the constant changes on our planet. Kentucky first began adopting its own official state symbols in 1792, the first symbol was the state seal. A few years after this, many other symbols were adopted, each having a role to play in the history of Kentucky and all intertwining together nicely. The gray squirrel is also known to reside in the Kentucky state tree from time to time. Kentucky State Wild Game AnimalYou can find the Kentucky state wild game animal all across the U.S., but they particularly enjoy residing east of the Mississippi River. During the autumn months, gray squirrels will typically spend their days gathering nuts and seeds and then hiding them for the winter months, they will not stop until they have enough to survive the entire winter.  This is called “scatter hoarding”, and squirrels may be one of the best animals in the world at doing it. Gray squirrels will bury the food in hundreds of different locations, with some even spanning a couple of miles from each other. This is because they want to evenly distribute their seeds and nuts in small amounts so that if their stash is discovered by other squirrels or animals, they will not get all the food that they have found and hid. They will clean their food before burying it too, this is so that their scent is on it which makes it much easier to discover at a later date, they can even smell it through thick layers of snow and overgrown grass, etc. Here is a quick overview of the Kentucky state wild game animal:
When it comes to their appearance, they tend to showcase a gray to brown color, with a white underbelly and a long bushy tail. They have 22 teeth which include large incisors on the bottom and top of their jaws. Eastern Gray Squirrel Facts and Additional InformationThey spend the majority of their time up in the safety of a large tree, however, when they do intend to hunt for seeds and nuts they have to go to the ground, especially when they want to bury their food for the winter months. This leaves them more vulnerable to predators, and gray squirrels are unfortunately prey to a lot of different animals such as owls, hawks, dogs, foxes, rattlesnakes, coyotes, bobcats, and mountain lions who all enjoy snacking on squirrels. Sometimes, in the unfortunate event that a squirrel passes away after it has stashed its seeds and nuts for the winter, the seeds and nuts that they hid in the ground will potentially grow into trees and plants! Here are some fun facts about the gray squirrel:
Hunting squirrels is still going on throughout Kentucky, which is probably why they have remained as the wild game animal to represent the state. Hunters now have a 28-day spring season and a split fall/winter season that consists of 192 days within Kentucky. As a hunter in Kentucky, you are not allowed to kill and bag any more than 6 squirrels per day. Final ThoughtsMost states will have their symbols showcase a relevant story, that is indicative of the state and its history, and the Bluegrass State puts its history and what it stands for across very well in the Kentucky state animal. These interesting facts about Kentucky and a whole host of others are what makes the state so unique and fascinating to those that live there or are researching the historical events or geological makeup of the state.
The gray squirrel, (Sciurus carolinensis,) was adopted as the Kentucky game animal in 1968. As the name suggests, the eastern gray squirrel has predominantly gray fur, but it can have a brownish color. Like many members of the family Sciuridae, the eastern gray squirrel is a scatter-hoarder; it hoards food in numerous small caches for later recovery. The genus name Sciurus is from the Greek words skia (shadow) and oura (tail), a reference to the bushy tail which casts a shadow on the squirrel. The Latinized species name carolinensis (of Carolina) refers to the region from which the first scientific specimen was collected. The eastern gray squirrel or grey squirrel (depending on region), Sciurus carolinensis, is a tree squirrel in the genus Sciurus. It is a common inhabitant of most areas of North Carolina from "the swamps of eastern North Carolina to the upland hardwood forests of the piedmont and western counties." He feels more at home in an "untouched wilderness" environment, although many squirrels inhabit our city parks and suburbs. During the fall and winter months the gray squirrel survives on a diet of hardwoods, with acorns providing carbohydrates and proteins. In the spring and summer, their diet consists of "new growth and fruits" supplemented by early corn, peanuts, and insects. Identification of the Gray SquirrelA medium-sized squirrel with upperparts dark yellowish rusty, especially on head and back; legs, arms, sides of neck, and sides of rump with gray-tipped or white-tipped hairs, giving a gray tone to these parts; hairs of tail dull yellow at base, then blackish, and tipped with white; underparts white; ears with conspicuous white spot at base in winter. External measurements average: total length, 460 mm; tail, 210 mm; hind foot, 61 mm. Weight of adults, 321-590 g. Other things to look for: A tree-dweller with a very bushy tail. In the summer months, one sometimes may see a Gray Squirrel which looks hairless. This condition is caused by a mite infestation called mange. Natural HistoryThe Gray Squirrel prefers hardwood forests of the Piedmont Region, mountains, and river and stream floodplains where an abundant supply of nuts, acorns, fruits, and flowers can be found. It will also eat insects and occasionally bird eggs. The Gray Squirrel constructs two types of nests. One is in a tree cavity, and is used for rearing young and for winter shelter. The other type of nest, which looks like a ball of dry leaves and twigs lined with plant fibers, is lodged in the upper branches of a tree. It is used as temporary shelter in both summer and winter. Main predators of the Gray Squirrel include hawks, owls, the Coyote, foxes, the Bobcat, and occasionally weasels, raccoons, and snakes. Wild individuals have an average life expectancy of 5 years. Kentucky LawThe law designating the gray squirrel as the official Kentucky state state wild animal game species is found in the Kentucky Revised Statutes, Title 1, Chapter 2, Section 2.085. TITLE I - SOVEREIGNTY AND JURISDICTION OF THE COMMONWEALTH. CHAPTER 2 - CITIZENSHIP, EMBLEMS, HOLIDAYS, AND TIME. 2.085 State wild animal game species. The gray squirrel is named and designated as the state wild animal game species. Effective: June 13, 1968 History: Created 1968 Ky. Acts ch. 219, sec. 1, effective June 13, 1968. Taxonomic Hierarchy: Gray Squirrel Kingdom: Animalia
State Mammals
Mammals are vertebrates (backboned animals) that feed their young on mother's milk. |
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