Ethogram of Gray Squirrels on Campus

I observed the behavior of squirrels in various areas around the Shippensburg University campus during different times of the day.  These observations started taking place in the beginning of March 2011 and ended in the middle of April 2011.  I grouped all the behaviors I observed into four categories, but did not separate the behaviors into those performed in the presence and the absence of other squirrels.  The following ethogram is the results of the observations.

Posture

·         Freeze:  remain in same position for more than 10 seconds without moving

·         Stand:  move from being on all four legs to putting weight on just the hind legs

·         Sit:  posterior is placed on the ground and front legs are off the ground

·         Crouch:  all four legs are on the ground and body is close to the ground

·         Hunch:  same as sitting but with body closer to the ground

Tail

·         Straight out

·         Moves in circular pattern

·         Flicks side to side

·         Waggles in a wave

·         Swishes side to side (more force than a flick)

·         Curled under

·         Curled over

Feeding

·         Dig

·         Bury

·         Nibble

Traveling/maneuvers

·         Scurry:  moves in no particular direction

·         Walk

·         Run

·         Climb

·         Jump

·         Flip

·         Pounce