There are thought to be around 25,000 black squirrels in the UK, with numbers largely concentrated in Bedfordshire, Hertfordshire and Cambridgeshire. The first wild black squirrel was recorded in Woburn in 1912, and was believed to have escaped from a private zoo having been imported from the United States. 13 авг. 2019 г.
Where can I see black squirrels?
Black morphs of eastern gray squirrels occur most frequently in the northern portion of its range around the Great Lakes Basin. Conversely, black morphs of fox squirrels typically occur most frequently in the southeastern portions of the species' natural range, the southeastern United States.
How rare is the black squirrel?
According to Mental Floss' Jake Rossen, black squirrels are relatively rare, constituting just one in 10,000 of the seemingly ubiquitous rodents. Today, the animals are seen in both their native home of North America, including sites as wide-ranging as Ontario, Washington, D.C. and Ohio, and the United Kingdom.
Why are black squirrels so rare?
Fox squirrels are typically darker in color and can, therefore, pass a darker coat along to their offspring. According to this new research, however, black fur actually results from a genetic mutation. This explains why the black squirrel is somewhat rare, making up for an estimated one in every 10,000 squirrels.
Are black squirrels related to grey squirrels?
Black squirrels are the same species as grey squirrels, with the only difference being their fur colour. The new work builds on Dr McRobie's research from 2014, which found that the black fur is caused by the grey squirrel having a pigment gene with a missing piece of DNA.
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