First tree rat of the year and she was tough!!!

So, here's a question (or 2):
1) Are "eastern" grays the same as "western" grays?
2) Are "reds" the same as fox squirrels?

Well, I did a quick search and found https://wildlifeinformer.com/types-of-squirrels/. So, to answer my own questions, "1" is solid maybe no and "2" is no. I'll do some more reading on the grays, but I thought someone might find this interesting.

Eastern & western grays have different close relatives, as well as somewhat differing diets, habitats and behaviors. Westerns are also larger, and according to one site I found, over 1/2 the diet of western grays in California is truffles.
 
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So, here's a question (or 2):
1) Are "eastern" grays the same as "western" grays?
2) Are "reds" the same as fox squirrels?

Well, I did a quick search and found https://wildlifeinformer.com/types-of-squirrels/. So, to answer my own questions, "1" is solid maybe, and "2" is no. I'll do some more reading on the grays, but I thought someone might find this interesting.

Easiest way I think we can tell them apart is:
- orange belly = fox squirrels
- pure white belly = western grey
- everything in-between = eastern grey
 
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Eastern Grey
 
I've only shot eastern greys with my air rifles. A few ran up a tree as far as they could and tried to hide there. The trouble with that plan was the limb was not thick enough to shield all of them and their tail flapping in the breeze gave their position away. Most of the 44 I've take stopped on the way up. Sometimes on the side of the tree and sometimes higher up in a crotch. I love it when they go 40 feet or so up a large oak and then pose in a crotch for a head shot. I guess they feel safe due to the height. If you see them run up a tree, it is a good idea to get ready, they are likely to stop and look back at you. If you are prepared you can get a quick kill.