Kaibab Squirrel, Grand Canyon North Rim

The Kaibab Squirrel is a curious creature that lives on the north rim of the Grand Canyon National Park. In fact it lives mainly on the forty mile area of the Kaibab Plateau, hidden amongst the pine trees. It is a unique animal that is found nowhere else on the planet.

One unique animal that can be found only on the Kaibab Plateau, on the Grand Canyon National Park's north rim, is the cute Kaibab Squirrel. This adorable rodent spends all its days in the pine forests.

This squirrel is not found in any other country in the world and is distinguished by its tassel like ears. In fact, it is so rare that its habitat, the Kaibab Squirrel National Natural Landmark is fiercely protected.

It has a blackish stomach, white and furry tail, and the tufted ears. These tufts grow longer as the animal ages and may reach lengths of up to two inches in an upward direction (winter). However, as they shed like most creatures in the summer, these tufts may appear virtually unnoticeable.

The Kaibab Squirrel builds nests from pine needles and twigs. Its diet consists of pine cone seeds, acorns, bark, fruit, pine twigs and fungi. However, the seeds are its favorite snack. They generally mate during the early spring and give birth to a litter of youngsters somewhere from April to August.

Interestingly enough, the squirrels have an almost symbiotic connection with the fungi and pine trees. The pine trees cannot survive if they are covered in too many fungi, and the squirrels require it for food. So the exchange of a home for garbage disposal works well for both.

It is believed that the squirrel is related to the Abert's, which is found only on the Grand Canyon's south rim, and has evolved to suit its geographic environment. It is also thought that the change in the land through the separation of the forests from the other areas, due to plateau erosion, has isolated the original species so that it could develop independently.