Abert’s Squirrel
Part of Hall of North American Mammals.
![NAM RM_Aberts Squirrel_cropped hero.jpg](/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/exhibitions/permanent-exhibitions/mammal-halls/hall-of-north-american-mammals-images/nam-rm_aberts-squirrel_cropped-hero.jpg/1445377-2-eng-US/nam-rm_aberts-squirrel_cropped-hero.jpg_wideexact_2460.jpg 2460w,/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/exhibitions/permanent-exhibitions/mammal-halls/hall-of-north-american-mammals-images/nam-rm_aberts-squirrel_cropped-hero.jpg/1445377-2-eng-US/nam-rm_aberts-squirrel_cropped-hero.jpg_wideexact_1230.jpg 1230w,/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/exhibitions/permanent-exhibitions/mammal-halls/hall-of-north-american-mammals-images/nam-rm_aberts-squirrel_cropped-hero.jpg/1445377-2-eng-US/nam-rm_aberts-squirrel_cropped-hero.jpg_wideexact_800.jpg 800w,/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/exhibitions/permanent-exhibitions/mammal-halls/hall-of-north-american-mammals-images/nam-rm_aberts-squirrel_cropped-hero.jpg/1445377-2-eng-US/nam-rm_aberts-squirrel_cropped-hero.jpg_wideexact_400.jpg 400w)
October, Kaibab National Forest, Arizona
Only in winter do the perky ears of Abert’s squirrels grow tassels, or tufts of hair. Tree squirrels don’t hibernate, so a longer winter coat, topped by tassels, warms this species while it forages in its high, snowy habitat. This individual is from an isolated population on Arizona’s mile-high Kaibab Plateau. Separated for thousands of years, the Kaibab population has evolved an elegant white tail instead of the usual gray.
© AMNH/R. Mickens