Feeding and hoarding behaviour of the Eurasian red squirrel Sciurus vulgaris during autumn in Hokkaido, Japan

The feeding habits and hoarding behaviour of the Eurasian red squirrel Sciurus vulgaris Linnaeus, 1758 were examined during autumn in Nopporo Forest Park (43°20'N, 141°30'E), in western Hokkaido, Japan. The diet consisted of 32 plant species. Twelve species were both eaten and hoarded (the two most common of which were Abies sachalinensis and Pinus koraiensis), and 20 species were eaten but not hoarded. The distance from where a food item was found to the hoarding spot averaged 50 m and differed significantly according to food type. Walnuts Juglans regia were transported farthest, and chestnuts Castanea crenata to the second farthest from the site of origin. Most food was hoarded beneath the ground surface (95%), but some were hoarded in forks of trees and in small tree holes. Squirrels selected food items of high energy content for hoarding, in preparation for winter and the breeding season.