Spatial Patterning in Sympatric Populations of Fox and Gray Squirrels

Use of space by congeneric tree squirrels was examined. Home ranges and activity patterns revealed that neither species excluded the other from any part of the habitat nor was either territorial. Home ranges overlapped, but centers of activity were separate and tended to be grouped by species. Heterospecific feeding aggregations occurred. Spatial patterning in both species was individualistic. Sciurus niger was solitary more often than S. carolinensis. Each species was more likely to have a conspecific as its nearest neighbor. Shorter nearest neighbor distances and larger coefficients of aggregation indicated that gray squirrels may be more social.