Long-distance Dispersal by Eastern Gray Squirrels in Suburban Habitats

Noah G. Perlut*

*Department of Environmental Studies, 11 Hills Beach Road, University of New England, Biddeford, ME 04005.

Northeastern Naturalist, Volume 27, Issue 2 (2020): 195–200

Abstract
Natal dispersal by Sciurus carolinensis (Eastern Gray Squirrel) is poorly understood, given so rarely reported, yet dispersal patterns in small mammals can affect seed dispersal and predation, as well as population dynamics of predators. Herein, I document long-distance dispersal by 3 Eastern Gray Squirrels from the suburban coastal campus of the University of New England in Biddeford, ME. Mean dispersal distance was 10.1 km (min–max = 6.3–14.5 km), occurring in random directions (SW, S, NW). These results, combined with the previous studies, better describe the distribution of natal dispersal by Eastern Gray Squirrel—critical information in understanding population processes and potentially developing effective landscape-management strategies.

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