Tree Squirrel
Tree Squirrel spoor is identified like this: small tracks with four toes on the front and five on the back, all with sharp, visible claws. Tree squirrels often use their tails as a parasol to shade themselves from the intense African sun while foraging in the canopy.
Spoor Signature
Tree Squirrel
"Small tracks with four toes on the front and five on the back, all with sharp, visible claws. Often seen in a bounding pattern."
Spoor Profile
| Species | Tree Squirrel |
|---|---|
| Group | Rodents |
| Track signature | Small tracks with four toes on the front and five on the back, all with sharp, visible claws. Often seen in a bounding pattern. |
| Activity pattern | Rodent spoor is best found in fine dust and aeolian sand early in the morning, before breeze and bird activity sweep the surface clean. |
Field Wisdom: Tree Squirrel
Knowing the animal makes reading its spoor far easier. These field notes explain the behaviour behind the tracks you find.
- 1
Tree squirrels often use their tails as a parasol to shade themselves from the intense African sun while foraging in the canopy.
- 2
They are highly vocal and use a distinct, rhythmic 'chick-chick' alarm call to warn other animals of approaching predators like snakes or raptors.
- 3
While they primarily eat seeds, fruits, and nuts, they are opportunistic omnivores that will supplement their diet with insects and bird eggs.
- 4
Unlike many other squirrel species, they do not hibernate and remain active year-round, relying on their keen memory to relocate hidden food caches buried in the ground.
Identification Protocol
- 1
Analyze the substrate. Soft river sand near Skukuza will provide deep, clear imprints, while hard northern mopaneveld soil requires looking for shallow "ticks" or claw marks.
- 2
Look for the stride length. A walking Tree Squirrel will leave a regular, repeating pattern. Changes in gait often signal proximity to water or recent predator interaction.
Compare Similar Spoor
Spoor that trackers routinely compare against Tree Squirrel prints in the field: