Many national parks shelter protected species, but none are as rare as the Kaibab squirrel. This furry critter is only found on the Kaibab Plateau in Kaibab National Forest and the North Rim of the Grand Canyon.
Next time you visit the North Rim of Grand Canyon National Park, keep your eyes peeled for this small, black and white squirrel roaming the ground or up in the pines. If you see one, you can say you’ve seen the rarest animal within the national park system.
An endemic species is one that only lives within a limited area. The Kaibab squirrel’s range is a confined 20-by-40 miles area in the ponderosa pine forest of the North Rim. The Abert’s squirrel, a cousin of the Kaibab squirrel that is common on the South Rim of the Canyon, has a wider realm.
The Kaibab squirrel are identified by their long white tails and dark chestnut body and ears. The all around white tail is the reason why the squirrel is locally known as the “white-tailed” squirrel.
In the spring, the squirrels use their large nests in the ponderosa pines to give birth. Their litters are usually two to six kits, the term for baby squirrels.
Goshawks and other birds of prey are primary threats to Kaibab squirrels. While in the trees, they can use their white tails as an umbrella to shield themselves from the eyes of hungry hawks.
“Since the Kaibab squirrel is unique and has a restricted range, the National Park Service, the United States Forest Service, and the State of Arizona have entered into a cooperative agreement whereby the animal is given strict protection,” notes an official park webpage. “It is hoped that success will follow this effort to preserve this unique species for the enjoyment of future generations.”
Learn more about other wildlife you might see on your visit to the Grand Canyon on their wildlife webpage.
