ABSTRACT
The major portion of red squirrel (Tamiasciurus hudsonicus) range lies within the boreal forest. Although this species is primarily associated with cone-bearing trees and a cone seed diet, low densities persist in deciduous forests in the southern and maritime portions of its range. Within the boreal forest, red squirrels are territorial. Each individual defends its boundaries year-round against other red squirrels. Throughout the cold winter months, red squirrels remain active and rely heavily upon stored food. Estimates of red squirrel populations in summer and winter can be accomplished by direct counts of territorial individuals. Red squirrels are more vocal, more aggressive, and more visible than other tree squirrels; the presence of a red squirrel is readily detected. If only a proportion of the resident red squirrels of a particular forest are marked, populations may be estimated by recapture method. However, because red squirrels are confined to small territories, sampling must be regular or random in order to avoid biased estimates.
