proteins found almost all over the world (except Australia).Movable mammal belongs to a family of rodents.There are many many different types of animals that differ in size, coat color, habits and habitat.They can be woody and earthy, and not very fluffy, there are even instances of prickly.Where does the protein - largely it depends on what species it belongs.But all of them - quite good-natured and cute animals, causing their behavior universal admiration.
Types
total protein in the world there are about 200. The most unusual and funny live mainly in North America.These include burundukovyh and striped ground squirrels living in burrows, as well as black, gray, and Karolinska Abert, preferring trees.The Russian Federation is more common red-haired representative of this family.It is also called an ordinary squirrel.Some forests are also caught flying squirrels, and in southern steppes - the chipmunks.
where he lives and what he eats protein depends on its type.For example, ground squirrels are not as fluffy tails like wood.After last use them to "steer" when jumping and balancing on branches.A chipmunk such a wealth of completely useless: it produces its food on the ground.Do flying squirrels, leaping an impressive distance, webbed feet are connected, able to unfold in the air on the basis of a parachute.
Habits ordinary protein
This typical resident of Russian forests, taiga and since finishing southern latitudes - a real beauty.Twice a year (spring and fall), it changes its coat to show off the summer in a bright red, and in winter not be as noticeable in the gray, insulated outfit.Red squirrel live in a hollow, at least - in a nest wound in the thick branches.Many of these houses several small animals.In one she lives and breed, and the rest used as closets.
into hibernation in winter it does not fall, and the acorns and nuts - the main food of the rodents - in the cold is quite tight.That economic zverushka stores them on a rainy day, hiding on the jacks.As the lives of the protein in the forest, it is easy to see if you visit a nearby grove of trees or a large park.These animals are quite sociable and often refer to people with confidence, happy treating brought goodies in the form of nuts or seeds.But we must remember that the protein - a wild creature.It has sharp teeth and long claws, so that their hand is better not to feed them, especially young children.
diet wood proteins
Staple food taiga beauty - pine nuts and acorns.Depending on where the lives of the protein, its menu can be diluted seeds of other cones, mushrooms, berries, and even bird eggs.Yes, it's nice and seemingly harmless creature often ruining the nest.In summer, the problems with the food there.But with the onset of cold weather sweeps the snow fallen acorns, mushrooms do not grow, and the bumps is not so easy to find.But thrifty animal advance fills its storage supplies.Therefore, in the hollows of trees in the forest, where he lives protein can easily find deposits of nuts and dried mushrooms, acorns and seeds.
If the year was barren, she did not disdain the young branches of trees, buds and even the bark.And the protein is able to move around the impressive distances in search of food.And the animals do it en masse, and can run for several days with little or no interruption.In coniferous forests, where he lives protein frequent bumps with characteristic traces of their teeth.These animals play an important role in the reproduction of spruce, pine and other plants, spreading their seeds.
Reproduction
pairing proteins, usually 2 times a year (spring and fall).But it happens that the female has time to withdraw and 3 litters of offspring.Bridegroom she finds 1 season.Father of the family it is difficult to call, because after their participation in the process of conception, he simply runs away.All the concerns about the education of offspring, nest building and safety squirrels take over their mother.Although there are exceptions, when parents feed and protect them in turn.
spring calves usually less (2 to 4).In the fall, after the female fattening and gain weight, it can bring up to a dozen squirrels.They are born blind and helpless, but, thanks to the care mothers, grow up pretty quickly.After just a couple of months of the protein can leave their children completely independent and begin to establish his personal life.There are cases when they had a long huddle in one nest.Sometimes it comes back to the mother, but with younger siblings.By the next spring, the kids themselves will be able to reproduce offspring.Taking into account how old squirrels in their natural habitat, it is quite normal.The average duration for the tree species does not exceed 4 years, but sometimes it comes up to 9.
Zoologists have noticed that the protein adopts a neighborhood often orphaned cubs.She drags them in its own nest and care as a family.
flying squirrel
This is the most remarkable little animal of the entire family.The Russian forests meets ordinary flying squirrel and the world there are about a dozen varieties.Despite a number of significant differences, both external and behavior, they are united way to move.Climb trees, they can be the same as their ordinary counterparts.Externally, the animal is not very remarkable - gray color with darker back.Notice the flying squirrel is not easy.The trees it perfectly camouflaged and almost no down down.But if there is a need to overcome at a time distance of several tens of meters, it is a jump rastopyrivat legs and reveals furry ear, planning how to parachute.With quite a long flexible tail, the animal is able to correct the trajectory.Before "landing" flying squirrel goes into a vertical position and clinging to the trunk of all the tabs.So she can fly from one tree to another, overcoming a time of up to 50 meters.
Ground squirrels
live mainly in North America, but occasionally found in Central Asia.Externally, they resemble the closest relatives - the chipmunks, which can be distinguished by a characteristic striped back.These proteins live in burrows, which also build nests and breed.They are not as attractive as usual, and are deprived of their main decoration - a large bushy tail.It they have, but the most common.They eat animals mostly nuts, grains and other seeds, sometimes prey on small insects.
Human impact on the number of animals
As one of the commercial fur animals, ordinary protein decades ruthlessly exterminated for their own fur.But, thanks to fertility, does not belong to endangered species or even rare.A cruel joke with her not played Fur and woodworking industry.Many proteins because of mass deforestation have been forced to leave their habitual residence, violating thus the food chain and the balance of the ecosystem.First of all it concerns the boreal regions.But in recent years, thanks to the protection of forest reserves and the organization, animals feel more comfortable.
Like squirrels in captivity
Surprisingly longer than in nature.Being in a zoo cage or in an apartment, the squirrel feels pretty good.Especially if it create conditions close to natural.To do this will take a few twigs and pieces of bark that it was building a nest.And a special wheel, in which the protein is run, compensating for the limitations of space.With proper care, the animal can live up to 12 years so.And well tolerated slavery and ordinary red beauties, and black, and chipmunks.
Squirrel - very cute little animals, one of a family of rodents.In nature, they do not live very long, but perfectly mastered in captivity.Proteins are very different: large and very tiny, with elegant fur and inconspicuous, and may dwell in the trees, and in holes, depending on the variety.
