Black squirrel

[slabchaser]

not sure how often people see these so I thought Id ask. I worked at a campground that had a few of them but I watched one for hours this weekend on two separate days. He is jet black. sure is a pretty little thing. I will try to take a picture of him next time.

[tracker x-2]

I know there is several living at my school in Mankato they sure catch your eye running through the tree.

[slabchaser]

haha. actually I use to work out at land of memories that was the campground. so kind of the same area.

[landscaper]

i see quite a few around the brainerd area

anyone got a black one mounted?

[Bear55]

Yep they are thick in the Brainerd area.

[JayinMN]

We got them in Hibbing too.

[dewey1980]

When we were kids never seen any black or white squirrels,what up with that.I was born in 1961 is there anyone else can say the same.

[Chef]

I've seen more of them in the Longville area over the past 9 yrs.

[merkman]

Here is more info

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Black_Squirrel

[JayinMN]

Quote:

When we were kids never seen any black or white squirrels,what up with that.I was born in 1961 is there anyone else can say the same.

Mutations usually don't survive as easily in the wild. Most gray squirrels now days live in towns and cities with relatively few predators so they are able to survive easier. Also the squirrels in one given town are more likely to be related so the chances of recessive characteristics, like albino, popping up in the offspring is more likely.

[96trigger]

Plenty down here where I hunt. I supose with the genetics, where you find one, you might find a couple, and where there are none, the gene is not found. I would assume it is recessive and would take two squirrels with the recessive gene to mate and have babies. Even then it would be at best, a 25% chance that it would get black fur.

[sticknstring]

We've got quite a few around the Crosslake area as well. Saw another one Saturday. I've been wanting to shoot a few with the bow and get a pair mounted but can't get myself to squeeze the trigger while deer hunting.

[FISHINGURU]

them black squirrels are tough!

i like the white ones with pink eyes

[Neighbor_guy]

The all Black mutation is a genetic mutation that is the same gene that causes the albino effect, all white w/red eye's. Only instead of a complete lack of pigmentation, it is an overload of pigmentation, resulting in black skin, eyes, hair, etc.

FWIW they are still perfectly good to eat. Or mount, if that floats your boat.....

[luckey]

Duey1980,

I was hunting squirrels before you were born. (born in 1950) Anyway, we shot a lot of them back in the 60's so they have been around for at least 50 years. Also, this was in the Brainard area.

[Freedom1]

The house that my girls went to for daycare had a white, black and gray squirrl playing in the back yard together all the time. It was pretty cool to see them all together. It was in town by the Medtronic in Fridley too.

[Double D]

Watched one both weekends of deer hunting, nest near my stand.

I have never seen a white one, but would like to.

DD

[SStracker]

Here is my black squirrel mount.. old picture but you get the idea. I am getting my Musky mount back next week and I will have the squirrel holding a Ice rod with a line connected to the Musky.

[Alex Zuhlsdorf]

I had two of them mounted that i shot a few years ago. speaking of albino critters i also trapped a coyote that was albino 2 years ago that one is getting live mounted also!

[landscaper]

looking good!!

[ac777]

Shot this one out of my deer stand a month ago or so With my bow. I thin its cool, and I plan on getting it mounted. Might try and get another one to go with it or something. Black squirrels arent near as common where I hunt. But I do see them around in Bemidji every now and then.

[DonBo]

Saw 5 different ones from my bowstand all together this last weekend up in NW Wisconsin. Pretty cool.

[scott christle]

i have seen them around the courtland area.

[Double D]

I took 2 squirrels in to the taxidermist.

He asked Do you want these 2 squirrels mounted?

I said no, just put them side by side.

DD

[Jim Almquist]

Please don't do that when I am drinking my coffee- Now its all over my screen