![gray squirrel gray squirrel](https://blogs.northcountrypublicradio.org/allin/files/2017/11/graysquirrel2.jpg)
Females two years old and older produce two litters per year. Mating occurs in January and again in June and July. Its call is “kuk-kuk-cut-cut-cut.” This animal builds a leaf nest in the high branches of a tree but may use a tree cavity for escape from predators and poor weather and for raising its young.
![gray squirrel gray squirrel](http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_t20nYP_aeuE/S93UQhakUDI/AAAAAAAABc4/-2ZvzSnhS00/s1600/eastern+grey+squirrel+-+london+zoo+(wild).jpg)
It may sleep for several consecutive days in winter, however. The eastern gray squirrel does not hibernate and is active during the day year round. Urban squirrels are good at climbing brick walls and walking along wires and cables. It is primarily arboreal, and its large, bushy tail helps it balance while climbing and resting in trees. This squirrel grasps food in its front paws. The gray squirrel eats buds, leaves, fruits, berries, fungi, pecans, acorns, hickory nuts, tree bark, walnuts and the seeds of various other trees. Here, they live in trees without the conditions described above. However, gray squirrels are common in cities.
![gray squirrel gray squirrel](https://images.fineartamerica.com/images/artworkimages/mediumlarge/2/1-eastern-grey-squirrel-diane-giurco.jpg)
As these mature forests have been destroyed in Illinois, the population of gray squirrels has declined. It lives in woods or forests that have a closed canopy, nut-bearing trees and plenty of cavity trees. The eastern gray squirrel may be found statewide in Illinois. The belly fur is white, a cream line surrounds each eye, and white tips are present on the back of the ears. Its body fur is gray, and there is a border of white fur on the bushy, gray tail. The eastern gray squirrel’s head-body length is between eight and 11 inches, with its tail about the same length as the body.
#Gray squirrel archive
Conservation Inclusive Construction and Development Archive (CICADA).