Genetic Variation of Texas Squirrels? (Houston, Austin: live, yard, slabs)

[catholicdad]

Several days ago, I saw a squirrel lying spread-eagle on the porch. Thinking he was dead, I opened the door. He then slowly turned his head toward me, got up, and ran away. A week later, I saw the same (?) squirrel in the outdoor hallway sleeping spread-eagle.

I have lived in many places and never seen them act like that. Is this a common trait among local squirrels?

[scottsheehan026]

This is a total guess. But if the areas you are talking about are in contact with the ground and shaded. I would think he is keeping cool. Here in Texas the ground is cold compared to the air. So the soil keeps stuff like concrete slabs cool as long as the sun isn't hitting it.

[escanlan]

First we need to identify the genus of squirrel to make sure it was a Texas bred squirrel. Did it look like this?

[hlk]

Originally Posted by catholicdad

Several days ago, I saw a squirrel lying spread-eagle on the porch. Thinking he was dead, I opened the door. He then slowly turned his head toward me, got up, and ran away. A week later, I saw the same (?) squirrel in the outdoor hallway sleeping spread-eagle.

I have lived in many places and never seen them act like that. Is this a common trait among local squirrels?

I've seen fox squirrels like we have here do that in many parts of the country, frequently. Did you have fox squirrels where you lived before?

[madrone2k]

All my life, I've seen fox squirrels and cat squirrels do that, in Houston as well as Austin. Our dalmations used to do it, too. :-)

Its also kinda cute when they (the squirrels, not the dogs ;-) hang out on a branch like that, with all four legs danging.

[verybadgnome]

This is a thread I never saw coming.........

[G Grasshopper]

This is totally normal behavior for squirrels. The position rests their limbs while helping to disperse heat. Ya gotta rest sometime.

[Trainwreck20]

Sounds like the squirrel that lives in our backyard, but he doesn't run away, he just looks at us with a kind of 'if I could extend my middle claw, I would' look, then he just lies back down.

[calel]

Mine seem pretty territorial over my backyard. I'm guessing there's a nest of babies somewhere up there. If they see me walk out, they'll sit there in the trees and bark at me the entire time I'm out there.

[owlman]

One threw a peach at me