Why is The Color Balance in My Neighborhood Changing? (Chantilly: college, live)

[CAVA1990]

I'm noticing a lot more black squirrels relative to grays in my backyard. I'm wondering why this is. Any squirrel experts here who can tell me? Do the two colors inter-breed? If so, is one gene dominant? Will gray squirrels here eventually disappear? This may be displacing my primary rodent-oriented obsession with why we have no chipmunks South of Wellington Rd.

[globalburgh]

All your questions answered:

Squirrel Week: Where did D.C.’s black squirrels come from? Blame Canada. - The Washington Post

[hilsmom]

my friends and I used to call the black squirrels "CIA Squirrels"

That article made me think of the South Park movie

[CAVA1990]

Originally Posted by globalburgh

All your questions answered:

Squirrel Week: Where did D.C.’s black squirrels come from? Blame Canada. - The Washington Post

Awesome article. Thanks for posting. Another price I pay for reading the NY Times exclusively was missing that gem. The great black squirrel diaspora is an interesting example of genetic dispersion going on in front of our very eyes. Curious though why they didn't spread more beyond the park in Canada. Shouldn't they have overrun Eastern Canada by now and wandered into Maine and the rest of New England?

Anyone here not seeing black squirrels where they live? He mentions there are none yet out in Chantilly. Would also be curous where the cutoff line is further South from here.

Now if I can just get answers to the chipmunk question...

[CaliTerp07]

I haven't seen any here in North Springfield. They were all over campus in college park though.

[CAVA1990]

Originally Posted by CaliTerp07

I haven't seen any here in North Springfield. They were all over campus in college park though.

Which side of 395 are you on? That could be a barrier.

[CaliTerp07]

Originally Posted by CAVA1990

Which side of 395 are you on? That could be a barrier.

West of 395--bordered by Braddock/Backlick/495.

[Caladium]

Sounds like a story that should be covered by Pat Collins....

The squirrels in northern Virginia.

Black squirrels.

Grey squirrels.

Neighbors ask why?

Why?

WHY????

Do we have squirrels.

Of both colors.

Black.

And Grey.

Here in northern Virginia?

Why the black?

Why the grey?

Is it all because of our famous diversity?

And if so, why don't we have red squirrels?

Would a red squirrel be offended that.

Our football team.

Is the Redskins?

Is the back squirrel exposed to too much car exhaust from the nearby traffic?

Are the grey squirrels eating the black squirrels?

Or perhaps they refuse to mate with them.

The grey with the black (or the black with the grey)?

We may never know.

But squirrels can be.

Quite.

Squirrely.

Or so I'm told.


Some say there's a great black squirrel diaspora.

An interesting example of genetic dispersion going on in front of our very eyes.

Or so they say.

Curious though why they didn't spread more beyond the park in Canada.

I've heard quiet whispers running through the city-data crowd.

Questions.

A certain disbelief.

Shouldn't they have overrun Eastern Canada by now, says CAVA1990.

Shouldn't they have wandered into Maine and the rest of New England?

And why are none yet out in Chantilly?

Do the black squirrels belong to.

The CIA?

We may never know.

About.

The squirrels.

And.

Why.

Some are grey.

But others are black.

[car54]

I love squirrels and have lots on my wooded lot....they walk right into my garage to hit me up for some peanuts.

BUT, if they ever learn to look both ways before crossing the street...we'll be up to our arses with them!

[CAVA1990]

Originally Posted by car54

I love squirrels and have lots on my wooded lot....they walk right into my garage to hit me up for some peanuts.

Blacks and grays?