SQUIRREL DISTRIBUTION

SQUIRREL DISTRIBUTION

RINIT PANCHOLI
JAMIE WARREN

ECOLOGY RESEARCH PROJECT
DEPARTMENT OF BIOLOGY
BELLARMINE COLLEGE
LOUISVILLE, KY

PURPOSE AND INTRODUCTION:

The purpose of this experiment is to study the distribution of the squirrel nests in the dense and open woodlands of three different parks. The purpose of the experiment is also to study the squirrel activity of three different parks at different times of the day. A correlation between the squirrel activity or density and the time of the day will be shown. From the data, relationship between the squirrel density and the number of nests will then be shown for the Joe Creason Park, Iroquois Park, and Cherokee parks respectively. Lastly, a GIS (Geographical Information System) analysis of the three parks will be done to assess any correlation between the squirrel density and the proximity of the water source.

INTRODUCTION TO SQUIRREL ECOLOGY:

The tree squirrel is a very special animal. It is one of very few wild animals that have adapted to humans and learned to co-exist with man. There are about 365 species of squirrel’s or squirrel like mammals all around the world. These are divided into seven families. The three most common squirrel families are the ground squirrel, the flying squirrel and the tree squirrel. Our investigation was mostly on the tree squirrels, which are usually the gray squirrels. The Gray squirrel has been traced back 50 million years, from fossil records found in North America. It is a rodent (Rodentia) in the Sciurus family. The species is called Sciurus Carolinensis. The average gray squirrel is fifteen inches long and weighs about one pound. Its diet consists of nuts, seeds, and fruit. The life span of the squirrel is usually six years but they have to be known to live until 20 years in captivity. Most urban squirrels do not reach their first birthday. This is due not to predators, but rather to automobiles. Compared to its rural counterpart, which often parishes from the lack of food. The squirrel is an acrobatic wonder to young and old. Its large tail makes it the most recognized mammal on Earth. It amazes us with daring high wire acts, as it races through the tree branches. Its determination to find a way to get seed from a so-called "squirrel proof" bird feeder is a delight to watch.

ALBINO

METHODS/TECHNIQUES:
The Data was collected from three different parks namely Joe Creason, Iroquois, and Cherokee. All three of these parks were visited several times, at different times of the day, to collect accurate data. The numbers of nests in 100 trees both in dense and scattered woodland were counted for all 3 parks. Also, to get a well-correlated data only the trees that were greater than 12 inches in diameter were counted. The numbers of squirrels were also observed in each of the parks at different times of the day.

FLYING SQUIRREL

INTRODUCTION TO SQUIRREL NESTS:
There are four types of squirrel nests: winter dreys, summer dreys, tree dens and holes. A Drey is made up of the combination from twigs and leaves. Squirrel nests are usually abou 25-45 cm in diameter. They are waterproof and lined with moss, leaves, fur, and feathers. The are usually two entrances or exits. Thus squirrels are good architects.

SQUIRREL NESTS OUTSIDE PASTEUR HALL

DATA ANALYSIS:

GRAPH OF NEST DISTRIBUTION IN DENSE AND SCATTERED REGIONS OF THREE PARKS

The above graph shows the distribution of squirrel nests in the dense and the scattered woodlands of the three parks. It is evident from the graph that the Iroquois Park surpasses the other two parks in the number or nests for both the dense as well as scattered woodlands. Next to Iroquois are Cherokee and then Joe Creason.

GRAPH OF SQUIRREL ACTIVITY IN DENSE AND SCATTERED REGIONS OF THREE PARKS

This graph shows the squirrel activity or squirrel density in the dense and the scattered region of the three parks. Again, it is evident that Iroquois park surpasses the other two parks in squirrel density in both dense as well as scattered woodlands. Next to Iroquois are Cherokee and then Joe Creason.

TOTAL SQUIRREL DENSITY OF ALL THREE PARKS COMPARED WITH TIME

The above graph shows the total squirrel density of the squirrels vs. different times of the day. Total squirrel density is the sum of all the squirrels found at all three parks at different times both in dense and scattered woodlands. Looking at the above graph, it is evident that the squirrel activity is optimal in the morning and is maximum between 4 – 5:00 P.M. Squirrel activity almost diminishes around 1:00 ‘o clock in the afternoon and after sunset.

GIS DATA ON PARKS AND WATER SOURCES

The above GIS (Geographical Information System) shot shows the Joe Creason Park near Bellarmine College in Louisville, Kentucky. The thin blue line around the Joe Creason Park is the Beargrass creek. Also, it is quite evident from the map that the water source is very close to the park.

The GIS shot below shows the Cherokee and Seneca Gardens in Louisville, Kentucky. The water source or the creek is very close to and surrounding the Cherokee park, as seen in the map.

This next GIS shot below shows the location of the Iroquois Park on the map and the surrounding water sources. Iroquois Park is in the metro area outside Louisville, Kentucky. It is quite evident from this map that the water source is very far away from Iroquois Park. The water source is actually about .8 miles away from the perimeter of the Park

CONCLUSIONS/OBSERVATIONS:

After thoroughly analyzing all the collected data and the graphs, the following conclusions were derived:

From the graphs of the squirrel nest density as well as the squirrel activity in the three different parks, it can be determined that the number of squirrel nests in the dense area of the parks is greater than the scattered areas.
It can be concluded from the graph of the total squirrel density vs. time that a relationship does exist between squirrel activity and the time of the day. The squirrel activity, as seen form the graph, is optimal in the morning and is maximum in between 4 – 5:00 P.M.
From comparing the number of nests and the squirrels in the dense areas vs. the scattered it is seen that the number of squirrels are proportional to the number of nests found. For example Iroquois park has the highest nest density in both scattered as well as dense areas, and therefore, it also has the highest number of squirrels.
There is a vague connection between the number of squirrels in the three parks and proximity of the water source. According to the hypothesis, more squirrels would be found where the water source is close and vice versa. Therefore, squirrel density in Joe Creason Park and Cherokee Park should be far greater than Iroquois. But the results do not support this hypothesis. According to the results, the squirrel density in the Iroquois Park was the highest and the water proximity is the farthest. The is probably due to the fact that there is minimal human activity in the Iroquois Park whereas in the other two Parks the human activity is far greater and therefore, less squirrels. This is only a speculation. There is also a possibility of some alternate water sources in Iroquois Park which are not evident in the GIS map.

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS:
DR. BILL TIETJEN, Biology Department, Bellarmine College, Louisville, Kentucky