Talk:Western Gray Squirrel

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I've changed the height range restriction, even though it came from a respectable source - having just spent some time watching them around Lake Tahoe, I can vouch for the fact that 800m is far too low for their operational ceiling. seglea 22:50, 10 Aug 2004 (UTC)

[edit] Discussion posted on article page

I question the identity of the squirrel illustrating Sciurus griseus, which looks very much like the coloration of the Fox Squirrel, S. niger, introduced in NW Oregon. In Oregon, S. griseus has a plain white belly and proportionally longer tail. This comment refers only to this part of the range of both species.

Pamela Johnston
(moved here by ---Aranae 05:28, 6 March 2006 (UTC))

doesn't look much like my idea of a Western Gray either, but I've only seen them a few times. But it's quite unlike any Fox Squirrel I've ever seen - but then, I've never seen one in Oregon. seglea 15:32, 13 May 2006 (UTC)

That is most definately not a western gray. It's either a fox squirrel or an eastern. Westerns do not have any of the reddish coloring to them.--Arkcana 06:31, 1 November 2006 (UTC)

There is a good picture of one on the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife website. [[1]] Does anyone know how to determine the copyright standing of it?--Arkcana 02:03, 12 November 2006 (UTC)

OK, this mostly is copy editor annoyance, but I was redirected to this page from "Western gray squirrel". There is no absolutely no need for "Squirrel" to have a capital "S", and the only reason "Gray" might deserve one is if the animal was named after some guy named Gray and not the species's coloration.

/rant

07:53, 12 May 2006

there's some debate (I forget where) about capitalising common names of mammals, and as a result practice is inconsistent. In the ornithological literature (though not in biological literature generally) bird names are always capitalised, and Wikipedia has followed this custom. There are differences of view about whether it should apply to other classes. It would probably be better to run that debate to earth (it might be in the Tree of Life project pages) and find out whether consensus is developing. seglea 15:31, 13 May 2006 (UTC)

[edit] Not a Western

A new picture of an Eastern Grey Squirrel has been posted purporting to be a Western Grey image:Western Grey Squirrel Beacon Hill Park.jpg. Note the yellowish pelage particularly around the face. Also note that it was taken in Beacon Hill Park in the heart of Vancouver. I am deleting the image. --Aranae 21:17, 14 November 2006 (UTC)

Hi, we are not in Vancouver, but on Vancouver Island[2], very different ecosystems despite the closeness. I think they only have that yellow in the fall. We are no where near the east, do the eastern live this far west? Not sure what being in a park has to do with it, it is indigeonous there and not imported if that is what you mean. HighInBC ^{(Need help? Ask me)} 02:46, 15 November 2006 (UTC)

The geographic distribution of Westerns does not extend into BC (or Canada at all) [3]. They are also very grey and lack the yellowish highlights that are often found with Easterns. Easterns, meanwhile, are now found in suburban and urban habitat throughout North America in addition to their native range. Geography and appearance both point quite strongly to this being an Eastern. --Aranae 02:55, 15 November 2006 (UTC)

Ah, well I am convinced, thanks. HighInBC ^{(Need help? Ask me)} 02:57, 15 November 2006 (UTC)

See [4] here for Forest Service photos (and thus public domain) photos'...TTFN Ralph

You would think, but it says Any commercial or other use of the image requires the written permission of the photographer or contact organization, and Forestry Images. which makes it incompatable with wikipedia. Strange though, I though photos taken by US government employees were automatically PD, but that is not what their image use policy says. HighInBC ^{(Need help? Ask me)} 15:32, 21 November 2006 (UTC)

Ah, they are by the University of Georgia, so that is why. HighInBC ^{(Need help? Ask me)} 15:34, 21 November 2006 (UTC)

[edit] Lewis and Clark in 1818

Anyone aware of where/who put in the article that the first specimen was described, by Lewis and Clark in 1818? Since they were in The Dalles area in 1805 and 1806, and never returned. (PS The in The Dalles should be capitalized, it's part of the proper name) TTFN Ralph

Looks like it was" 17:21, 12 May 2006 206.194.158.36 (Talk)". That added this reference( unsourced ). I don't see how an 1818 date for Lewis and Clark is remotely possible. More so, since Lewis died in 1809

Also the Lewis and Clark specie page ( List_of_species_described_by_the_Lewis_and_Clark_Expedition )lists the Eastern (not Western, could be a bo-bo there too)

TTFN, Ralph

I have found the sources and the wording given in the article is a little in-accurate. I will fix, see [5] and [6] page #2

TTFN Ralph