Sciurinae+block+3


 * Sciurinae Block 3

Sciurimorpha Characteristics;** The shape of the infraorbital canal, the sciurimorphous zygomasseteric system is characterized by attachment of the lateral masseter muscle along the side of the rostrum. It has the 307 species, 61 genera, and 7 families. They are mostly diurnal. The squirrels have 4 incisor teeth that help in gnawing and grow thier entire life. And 8 addtional cheeck teeth that are on each of the upper and lower jaw. The squirrels mainly bushy tails and smooth hair on their body. They have cheek pouches to store food while scavenging.


 * Scuiridae characteristics;** Found throughout the world. They are mostly plant eaters but they can also eat Fungi, eggs, Small birds and snakes. They are small to medium-sized animals with long tails. Eyes are high up on the head and spread apart for a wider field of view. There are two subfamilies; Pteromyinae and Sciurinae. Pteromyinae are the Flying squirrels and the Sciurinae are the chipmunks, ground and tree squirrels and the woodchuck. The ground squirrels range from the marmots at 16.5 pounds down to the chipmunks that weigh only 5 ounces. The tree squirrels have long bushy tails and bodies adapt for moving in trees. They range from the pygmy squirrels that are the size of a mouse to the fox squirrel that are 18 to 27 inches.

Domain; Eukaryo, Kingdom; Animalia, Phylum; Chordata, Class; Mammalia, Order; Rodentia, Suborder; Sciuromopha, Family; Sciuridae, Subfamily; Sciurinae.
 * Sciurinae Classification**

__Northern and Southern Flying Squirrel__ Size: Northern:11-16" long Southern: 8-12" long Home: They live in nests lined with soft plant material. Food: omnivores: seeds, nuts, carrion, Baby animals, eggs, lichens, mushroom, and fungi. Description: light brown to gray fur on top, white underside, wide flat tail, bulging big eyes and fold of skin between legs. Tracks: Northern: Hind paw 1.5" long with 5 toes and front paw 3/4" long with 4 paws. Southern: Hind paw 1" long with 5 toes and front paw 1/2" long with 4 paws. 1 set of four paws lifespan: 2-5 years __Least Chipmunk__ Size: 7-9" long Home: Burrow, entrance of small round hole, occasionally nests in trees. Food: Omnivore: seeds, fruit, nuts, insects, fungi. Description: Overall brown boding with alternate black and white stripes from face to tail. Tracks: hind paw 3/4"-1 1/4" long with 5 toes and forepaw with 4 toes and half the size. lifespan: 2-4 years
 * Species of the Scuiridae Family;**
 * Pteryminae;**
 * Sciurinae:**

__Eastern Chipmunk__ Size: 9-12" Home; Burrow With several entrances. Descripeion: Redish Light brow With a white stripe bordered by two dark lines. Tracks: Hindpaw 1 1/2" long with 5 toes, Forepaw is half the size with 4 toes. Lifespan: 2-4 years

__Thirteen-lined ground squirrel__ Size: 8-13" Home: Burrom to twenty feet long and several feet deep. Description: Long narrow body, With thirteen alternate tan and brown stripes. Tracks: Hind: 1 1/2' ,5 toes, Forepaw: 1', 4 toes. Lifespan: 1-3 years.

__Richardsons Ground squirrel__ Size: 9-14" long Home: Similair as the thirteen-lined. Description: Gray to tan above with more tan on sides and belly. Tracks: Hind: 1 1/2", with 5 toes, forepaw half size with 4 toes. Lifespan: 2-6 years

__Franklins Ground squirrel__ Size: 13-16" long Home: Same type of burrow as other ground squirrel Description: Long narrow body with gray head and tan body. Tracks: Hind: 1 1/2" long with 5 toes, Forepaw: half the size 4 toes. Lifespan: 1-4 years

__Red squirrel__ Size: 11-16 inches Home: Nest Description: Red and gray with long bush tail Tracks: Hind: 1 1/2" with 5 toes, fore: 3/4" with 4 toes. Lifespan: 2-5 years

__Eastern Grey squirrel__ Size: 17-19 in. Home: Leaf nest Description: Overall grey or light brown Tracks: Hind: 2 1/4" with 5 toes, Fore: 1" and 4 toes. Lifespan: 2-5 years

__Eastern Fox squirrel__ Size: 18- 28" long Home: Leaf nest Description: Dark grey with yellow and orange highlights. Tracks: Hind: 3" with 5 toes, Fore 1 1/3" with 4 toes Lifespan: 2-5 years.

__Woodchuck:__



Size: 21-34" Home: Den Description: Various shades of red to brown, wide body with short legs Tracks: Hind: 3 3/4" with 5 toes, Fore: Slightly smaller and with 4 toes Lifespan: 2-4 years


 * [[image:Map_3.JPG]]

Source: [|www.animals.jrank.org], www.tolweb.org www.dictionary.referance.com**