Abert's squirrels with Melanism in central Colorado

Abert's or "tassel eared" squirrels on our property (and in the surrounding area) are experiencing rare selective pressures which seem to have resulted in an EXTREMELY high prevalence of Melanism. These squirrels have dark skin, dark hair, dark eyes, dark mouths and dark claws. Everything blacked out basically. I suspect it is a two pronged response to both the dense-snowy woods and high number of raptors in the area. Their all black characteristics may make it easier to warm up in the deep snows and may also provide some measure of camouflage from predators. Melanism in squirrel populations is well documented in areas of Ontario and Alberta as well as select pockets in the United States but to my knowledge this is the best case for melanism in tree squirrels in Colorado.

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