SQUIRREL DISTRIBUTION

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SQUIRREL DISTRIBUTION

• RINIT PANCHOLI JAMIE WARREN
• ECOLOGY RESEARCH PROJECT
• BELLARMINE COLLEGE
• LOUISVILLE, KY

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OBJECTIVES

• Squirrel Ecology
• Squirrel Nests
• Purpose of experiment
• Methods/Techniques
• Data Collected
• Conclusions

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SQUIRREL ECOLOGY

• 365 Species
• Most active in late winter
• Female chooses strongest male
• Most active 2 hours after sunrise and before
  sunset
• Nuts, seeds, fruit
• 1 pound of food a week
• Chirps and tail gestures

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SQUIRREL NESTS

• Four types-winter and summer dreys, tree dens and
  holes
• Drey-twig/leaf combination
• 25-45 cm in diameter
• Waterproof and lined with moss, leaves, fur, and
  feathers
• May be two entrances/exits

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PURPOSE

• Compare number of squirrel nests in dense vs.
  open woodland
• Show correlation between squirrel activity and
  time of day
• Show how squirrel activity relates to number of
  nests in each area
• Show correlation between squirrel density and
  water supply

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METHODS/TECHNIQUES

• Visited Cherokee, Iroquois, and Joe Creason Park
• Counted number of nests in 100 trees both in
  dense and scattered woodland
• Trees counted were greater than 12 in diameter
• Observed number of squirrels in each area at
  different times of the day

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DATA ANALYSIS

• Graph of nest distribution in dense and scattered
  regions of three parks.
• Graph of squirrel activity in dense and scattered
  regions of three parks.
• Total squirrel density of all 3 parks compared
  with time.
• GIS data on the 3 parks and surrounding water
  resources.

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NEST DISTRIBUTION
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SQUIRREL ACTIVITY
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TOTAL SQUIRREL DENSITY VS. TIME
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GIS DATA ON PARKS AND WATER SOURCES
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GIS DATA ON PARKS AND WATER SOURCES
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CONCLUSION

• The number of squirrel nests in the dense area of
  the parks is greater than the scattered areas.
• A relationship between squirrel activity and time
  does exist. The squirrel activity is optimal in
  the morning and evening.
• The number of nests in the dense areas and in the
  scattered areas is proportional to the number of
  squirrels in those areas.
• There is a vague connection between the number of
  squirrels in the three parks and proximity of the
  water source.

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MORE INTERESTING FACTS!

• Can live up to 20 years in captivity
• Very active all year round do not hibernate
• Can run up to 20 m.p.h
• Squirrels teeth grow continuously!
• Largest concentration of squirrels can be found
  in Washington D.C.
• Its illegal to kill squirrels by poisoning in
  the U.S.
• Squirrels do not make very good pets!!!

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THE END
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THE END