Influence of the social hierarchy on gray squirrel behavior

Abstract

Based on 750 social interactions, largely at feeding stations, gray squirrels in two woodlots were ranked in a social hierarchy by the percentile rank formula and by the linear method. Correlations of rank in the social hierarchy with age, size of home range, and feeding activity under inclement wind conditions were tested statistically by the Spearman rank correlation coefficient.

The social hierarchy of gray squirrels is a "linear right” hierarchy. Males were more dominant than females, and social rank was higher with greater age. The dominant male squirrels were responsible for the majority of the observed sexual contacts with females. Size of home range increased slightly with social rank. Wind was the most important environmental factor restricting feeding activity. Subordinate squirrels in the social hierarchy were not more active than dominant squirrels during inclement wind conditions. Insufficient data were collected to determine a definite relationship of social rank with overwinter mortality and shock losses.