Editing Western gray squirrel (section)

==Description==
The western gray squirrel was first described by [[George Ord]] in 1818 based on notes taken by [[Lewis and Clark Expedition|Lewis and Clark]] at [[The Dalles, Oregon|The Dalles]] in [[Wasco County, Oregon|Wasco County]], [[Oregon]].

''Sciurus griseus'' is the largest [[tree squirrel]] in the Sierra Nevada and Central California range. It has plantigrade, pentadactyl feet with two phalanges.<ref>{{Cite journal|last1=Carraway|first1=Leslie N.|last2=Verts|first2=B. J.|date=1994-12-02|title=Sciurus griseus|journal=Mammalian Species|issue=474|pages=1–7|doi=10.2307/3504097|issn=0076-3519|jstor=3504097|s2cid=253911325 }}</ref> Compared with the [[eastern gray squirrel]] ''S. carolinensis'' or the [[fox squirrel]] ''S. niger'' (which have been introduced into its native range), these squirrels are shy, and will generally run up a tree and give a hoarse chirping call when disturbed. [[Weight]]s vary from about {{convert|.35|to|1|kg|lb}}, and [[length]] (including tail) from {{convert|43|to|61|cm|in}}. It is the largest native tree squirrel in the western coastal United States. Western gray squirrels exhibit a form of coloration known as counter shading. The dorsal fur is a silver gunmetal gray, with pure white on the underside; there may be black flecks in the tail. Ears are large but without tufts. The ears turn reddish-brown at the back in the winter. The tail is long and typically very bushy. It usually stays curved upwards in an "S" shape.

Tree squirrels undergo a complete head-to-tail molt in the spring and a rump-to-head molt in the fall. Tail hair is replaced only in the spring. Nesting mothers will use their tail hair to line birthing nests. Western gray squirrels eat berries, nuts, a variety of seeds, and the eggs of small birds. The dental formula for ''Sciurus griseus'' is {{DentalFormula|upper=1.0.2.3|lower=1.0.1.3|total=22}}.<ref>{{Cite journal|last=Bryant|first=Monroe D.|date=1945|title=Phylogeny of Nearctic Sciuridae|jstor=2421337|journal=The American Midland Naturalist|volume=33|issue=2|pages=257–390|doi=10.2307/2421337}}</ref>