Talk:Western gray squirrel

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Untitled[edit]

I've changed the height range restriction, even though it came from a respectable source - having just spent some time watching them around Lake Tahoe, I can vouch for the fact that 800m is far too low for their operational ceiling. seglea 22:50, 10 Aug 2004 (UTC)

Discussion posted on article page[edit]

I question the identity of the squirrel illustrating Sciurus griseus, which looks very much like the coloration of the Fox Squirrel, S. niger, introduced in NW Oregon. In Oregon, S. griseus has a plain white belly and proportionally longer tail. This comment refers only to this part of the range of both species.

Pamela Johnston
(moved here by ---Aranae 05:28, 6 March 2006 (UTC))[reply]

doesn't look much like my idea of a Western Gray either, but I've only seen them a few times. But it's quite unlike any Fox Squirrel I've ever seen - but then, I've never seen one in Oregon. seglea 15:32, 13 May 2006 (UTC)[reply]

That is most definately not a western gray. It's either a fox squirrel or an eastern. Westerns do not have any of the reddish coloring to them.--Arkcana 06:31, 1 November 2006 (UTC)[reply]

There is a good picture of one on the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife website. [[1]] Does anyone know how to determine the copyright standing of it?--Arkcana 02:03, 12 November 2006 (UTC)[reply]

OK, this mostly is copy editor annoyance, but I was redirected to this page from "Western gray squirrel". There is no absolutely no need for "Squirrel" to have a capital "S", and the only reason "Gray" might deserve one is if the animal was named after some guy named Gray and not the species's coloration.

/rant

07:53, 12 May 2006

there's some debate (I forget where) about capitalising common names of mammals, and as a result practice is inconsistent. In the ornithological literature (though not in biological literature generally) bird names are always capitalised, and Wikipedia has followed this custom. There are differences of view about whether it should apply to other classes. It would probably be better to run that debate to earth (it might be in the Tree of Life project pages) and find out whether consensus is developing. seglea 15:31, 13 May 2006 (UTC)[reply]

Not a Western[edit]

A new picture of an Eastern Grey Squirrel has been posted purporting to be a Western Grey image:Western Grey Squirrel Beacon Hill Park.jpg. Note the yellowish pelage particularly around the face. Also note that it was taken in Beacon Hill Park in the heart of Vancouver. I am deleting the image. --Aranae 21:17, 14 November 2006 (UTC)[reply]

Second image, showing a squirrel with black fur near the armpit, and feeding on a cone looks like Tamiasciurus douglasii, not Sciurus griseus. In any case, a less ambiguous photograph should be found. — Preceding unsigned comment added by G.H.Jarrell (talk • contribs) 18:24, 25 February 2012 (UTC)[reply]

Hi, we are not in Vancouver, but on Vancouver Island [2], very different ecosystems despite the closeness. I think they only have that yellow in the fall. We are no where near the east, do the eastern live this far west? Not sure what being in a park has to do with it, it is indigeonous there and not imported if that is what you mean. HighInBC ^{(Need help? Ask me)} 02:46, 15 November 2006 (UTC)[reply]

The geographic distribution of Westerns does not extend into BC (or Canada at all) [3]. They are also very grey and lack the yellowish highlights that are often found with Easterns. Easterns, meanwhile, are now found in suburban and urban habitat throughout North America in addition to their native range. Geography and appearance both point quite strongly to this being an Eastern. --Aranae 02:55, 15 November 2006 (UTC)[reply]

Ah, well I am convinced, thanks. HighInBC ^{(Need help? Ask me)} 02:57, 15 November 2006 (UTC)[reply]

See [4] here for Forest Service photos (and thus public domain) photos'...TTFN Ralph

You would think, but it says Any commercial or other use of the image requires the written permission of the photographer or contact organization, and Forestry Images. which makes it incompatable with wikipedia. Strange though, I though photos taken by US government employees were automatically PD, but that is not what their image use policy says. HighInBC ^{(Need help? Ask me)} 15:32, 21 November 2006 (UTC)[reply]

Ah, they are by the University of Georgia, so that is why. HighInBC ^{(Need help? Ask me)} 15:34, 21 November 2006 (UTC)[reply]

I checked the Forest Service site and found an image that was public domain and uploaded it and changed the picture. As can be seen the western gray is a steely or silvery gray with no brown. —Preceding unsigned comment added by EnzianBlue (talk • contribs) 21:24, 3 October 2008 (UTC)[reply]

This is my picture posted on wiki commons of what I think is a western gray squirrel. It might be appropriate here. Could somebody confirm the ID?Davefoc (talk) 07:25, 5 October 2008 (UTC)[reply]

That one looks like an Eastern Gray Squirrel as well, which is the only species I have seen in Golden Gate Park. Western Grays have very little to no brown/yellow coloration, large, fluffy tails, and are generally greater in size than the Easterns. They are also quite shy, meaning that it would be difficult to get a good photo of one. 24.5.47.122 (talk) 19:01, 8 March 2010 (UTC)[reply]

I guess I'll go ahead and delete the photo, to avoid confusion until we get a photo of a Western. 24.5.47.122 (talk) 19:03, 8 March 2010 (UTC)[reply]

Lewis and Clark in 1818[edit]

Anyone aware of where/who put in the article that the first specimen was described, by Lewis and Clark in 1818? Since they were in The Dalles area in 1805 and 1806, and never returned. (PS The in The Dalles should be capitalized, it's part of the proper name) TTFN Ralph

Looks like it was" 17:21, 12 May 2006 206.194.158.36 (Talk)". That added this reference( unsourced ). I don't see how an 1818 date for Lewis and Clark is remotely possible. More so, since Lewis died in 1809

Also the Lewis and Clark specie page ( List_of_species_described_by_the_Lewis_and_Clark_Expedition )lists the Eastern (not Western, could be a bo-bo there too)

TTFN, Ralph

I have found the sources and the wording given in the article is a little in-accurate. I will fix, see [5] and [6] page #2

TTFN Ralph

The picture is still not of a western gray squirrel. It's an eastern! I'm sorry I don't have a better picture to post, but that one needed to go! 75.146.54.50 (talk) 03:31, 19 September 2008 (UTC)Katy[reply]

removal of a commercial link to a taxidermy form vendor[edit]

I removed a link to a taxidermy form vendor. It looked like an inappropriate link anywhere but it really had nothing to do with an article about a specific species of squirrel. Davefoc (talk) 06:56, 29 September 2008 (UTC)[reply]

Changed picture[edit]

I have uploaded a picture that I believe to be two Western Gray Squirrels, taken in Yosemite, CA. If I have mislabeled these squirrels, let me know, however I am decently confident as their location at the time fits their range and the coloring is too gray to be any other large squirrel population in the United States. :Apolloae (talk) 02:22, 12 September 2009 (UTC)[reply]

They look more like California Ground Squirrels to me. I find the spotting to be particularly suspect. --Aranae (talk) 16:10, 13 September 2009 (UTC)[reply]

Although these guys don't seem to have the black ears, the spotting is very consistent with these guys, as is the range and especially their behavior. Thanks for the correction, Aranae. :Apolloae (talk) 17:07, 13 September 2009 (UTC)[reply]

Predators[edit]

Should we put the animals that eat gray squirrels? No one in my class could find it here so I decided to look for myself and they are right! Witch makes me MAD...

--WinifredJ (talk) 02:44, 18 November 2009 (UTC)WinifredJ[reply]

Endangered Species[edit]

The western grey squirrel has been added to Washington State's endangered species list as of February 2023 there could be as little as 400 in existence. 2601:603:4D81:D990:154D:F92:C594:EAA7 (talk) 04:37, 28 January 2024 (UTC)[reply]

Endangered Status[edit]

Following on this, I think the status of "least concern" should be changed, but I don't know how to do that, or what it should be changed to. Stevenarntson (talk)