Black Squirrel (Austin, Cedar Park: neighborhood, live, restaurant)

[hbopp3671]

I saw a black squirrel in Northwest Austin yesterday, or at least what I thought was a black squirrel. Never seen one before. Are they rare?

[jobert]

There goes the neighborhood..

but seriously, are you sure it wasn't a ferret?

[austinnerd]

I hear all the grey squirrels are moving back into downtown. Then again, it might have been a squirrel census taker?

[ATX Homeboy]

It's a melanistic squirrel. Every once in awhile you get one that's off color from the normal patterns or colors. Happens in deer too. Kinda like albinism just the opposite.

[jobert]

Although black squirrels are rare, it is common for grey squirrels to be mistaken for one:

http://blog.ableandhow.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2009/11/alvin-and-chipmunks.jpg (broken link)

[BentBow]

Rock squirrels are not common , but they are around here.
So are grey squirrels.

[Moonlady]

They're called Rock Squirrels. Many years ago, out on 183 going towards Cedar Park, there was a Mexican Restaurant called Jose Loco. The setting was a little canyon-like and these rock squirrels were visible from the windows of the restaurant. They were blackish in color. It's not hard to believe they could also be in NW Austin - especially given the terrain and proximity to where these squirrels were.

Rock Squirrel (Spermophilus variegatus)

[ATX Homeboy]

BentBow and Moonlady are correct. I had forgotten about rock squirrels they are more prevalent in the hill country. I remember, as a child, we had a flying squirrel that lived in a huge tree in our backyard, kinda glided really didn't actually fly. They are cool to see.

[UKjay]

Thank goodness these are real! I saw one of these on the verge along Forest Creek Drive. I pulled over and looked at it and thought, no way.... a black squirrel; I assumed I'd finally gone round the bend (and not the one on the road).

[gdu]

I have seen one at the Spicewood Golf Course in Balcones.