American Red Squirrel (Tamiasciurus hudsonicus) 5/27/2006 Presque Isle, Erie, PA

We were lucky to see this little critter because they're not around these parts. We saw him in Erie, Pa, near the Great Lakes, the southern portion of it's range. While we may never see it in Delaware, it's common in Canada.

He, or she, is living in this "den tree". A den tree is a home for birds, squirrels, raccoons, and other cavity dwellers. You might even find a snake in a den tree from time to time.

Red Squirrels are a little bit bigger than chipmunks. They build their nests in the branches of trees but will sometimes use a cavity in a tree.