North Carolina State Mammal
Eastern Gray Squirrel (common name) Sciurus carolinensis (scientific name) Overview North Carolina’s 1969 General Assembly designated the eastern gray squirrel, an animal found more or less throughout the state, the official state mammal. Squirrels prefer to live in the forest, though they also live in urban parks. These small, bushy animals are a common sight in North Carolina and throughout the eastern U.S. However, it was first categorized in the Carolinas, and it’s named after those states. Close-up STATUS Official State Mammal ALSO KNOWN AS Cat squirrel, migratory squirrel PHYSICAL DETAILS A squirrel’s back is finely mottled dark to pale gray, and some squirrels have a reddish brown tint around the rump, feet, and head. Ears are pointed and upright, pale beige to gray to white in the northern areas. A squirrel’s tail is bushy, curved, and white to pale gray. A squirrel’s belly and other underparts are light-colored, white, gray to light beige, or sometimes red-brown. Squirrels have large black eyes, 22 teeth, short front paws, and muscular hind legs. Male and female squirrels look the same and are generally roughly the same size.    Males Females Size length 15-20 in (383-525 mm); average 18.5 in (473 mm); tail length, 5.9-6.8 in (150-250 mm); hind foot length, 2-3 in (54-76 mm); ear length, 1-1.25 in (25-33 mm) length 15-20 in (383-525 mm); average 18.5 in (473 mm); tail length, 5.9-6.8 in (150-250 mm); hind foot length, 2-3 in (54-76 mm); ear length, 1-1.25 in (25-33 mm) Weight 11.9-26.5 oz (338-750 g), average 18.3 oz (520 g) 11.9-26.5 oz (338-750 g), average 18.3 oz (520 g) LIFESPAN Up to 10 years; average of 11-12 months in the wild HABITAT Prefer mature deciduous woodland with mixed nut trees. Range: Native to the eastern United States west to the edge of the deciduous forest and north into Canada. Also introduced in California, Montana, Oregon, Washington, Quebec, New Brunswick, British Columbia, Manitoba, Nova Scotia, Ontario, Saskatchewan, Italy, England, Scotland, Ireland, and South Africa. Conservation Status: Least Concern (LC) BEHAVIOR Squirrels establish new home sites in the fall, usually in September. They like to nest in hollow trees, but build leaf nests in trees if no hollows are available. Squirrels mate once or twice a year, February through March and again in July to September. Males compete with each other to mate, and females can also mate with more than one individual. Squirrel litters are normally two or three hairless, blind babies. Babies stay with their mothers for only 8 or 9 weeks, and then are on their own. Females mate at 1.25 years or younger. Males can mate at 11 months, but often begin later. Squirrels prefer to avoid the heat of the day, but are most active a few hours after sunrise and up to five hours before sunset. In winter, squirrels are active during the warmest part of the day, for a few hours before sunset. Top land speed recorded:12 mph (19 kph) DIET Gray squirrels eat nuts, seeds, flowers, fruit, fungi, some types of insects, and sometimes eggs. When food is scarce, they strip the bark from hardwood trees and eat wood. They like corn if it’s available. OFFSPRING Breeding interval: Annual or semiannual Birthing period: April-May, August-October Average litter size: 2-3 Size at birth: 0.45-0.6 oz (13-18 g) TRIVIA The eastern gray squirrel is the most commonly seen land mammal east of the Mississippi River. Squirrels tend to store food in a variety of places, and their memories are adapted so that they can usually find their caches later. Humans, hawks, skunks, raccoons, cats, snakes, owls, and dogs all prey on squirrels. The genus name Sciurus comes from two Greek words. Skia("shadow") and oura ("tail") together refer to the fact that a squirrel sits in the shadow of its own tail.
	Click to enlarge an image Eastern Gray Squirrel Eastern Gray Squirrel Scampering Up Tree Sleeping Eastern Gray Squirrel Eastern Gray Squirrel Cleaning Tail CLASSIFICATION Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Chordata Class: Mammalia Order: Rodentia Family: Sciuridae Genus: Sciurus Species: S. carolinensis
	Data Source: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Author: World Trade Press

North Carolina State Mammal
Plott Hound (common name) Canus lupus familiaris (scientific name) Overview The Plott hound breed originated in 1750 when German teenager Johannes Plott immigrated to the United States with his family and their Hanoverian hounds. These hounds came from a line of dogs bred in Europe to hunt ferocious wild boar. Seven generations of the extended Plott family, living in the Great Smoky Mountains of North Carolina and Tennessee, bred these hounds and used them for hunting. The dogs soon became known for their stamina, courage, and hunting skills, but remain a relatively rare breed. The Plott hound was first registered with the United Kennel Club (UKC) in 1946. A coonhound, the breed is a member of the UKC’s scent hound group. The American Kennel Club recognized the breed in 1998 and added it to the hound group, making it eligible for competition, in 2007. Close-up STATUS Official State Dog PHYSICAL DETAILS The Plott hound is a strong, muscular, medium-sized to large dog. Its short, smooth coat gives it a sleek appearance. Like most scent hounds, the Plott hound has a large nose and low-hanging ears. To be considered a true Plott hound, the dog’s coat must have a brindle effect (black and tan streaks) and can be black, yellow, red, tan, brown, gray, or blue, as long as it is not solid colored. It may also have white markings on the chest and feet. Size: Male: 21–26 in (53–66 cm) Female: 20–25 in (51–64 cm) high at the shoulder high at the shoulder Weight: Male: 50–75 lb (23–34 kg) Female: 40–65 lb (18–30 kg) LIFESPAN Up to 15 years HABITAT This somewhat rare breed is mainly found in the Great Smoky Mountains, where it originated, as well as the neighboring Appalachian and Blue Ridge Mountains, and elsewhere in the southeastern United States. BEHAVIOR True to its ancestry, this fearless scent hound can coldtrail and stand up to aggressive wild boar and bears, and also has superior treeing instincts. The Plott hound is intelligent, courageous, alert, and easy to train. These traits make the breed a favorite of bear, raccoon, mountain lion, and large game hunters. The breed is also known for its agility, endurance, and excellent watchdog abilities. Though aggressive while hunting, this dog is also loyal, friendly, and eager to please at home, making it a good pet. A Plott hound requires lots of outdoor exercise but minimal grooming. DIET Dogs are omnivores, requiring protein in their diet for optimal health. Grains and vegetables can also make up large portions of a dog’s diet. Dogs are natural scavengers, but a pet’s diet normally consists of food supplied by its owner. OFFSPRING Breeding interval: Biannually Birthing period: 63 days Average litter size: 4–10 puppies TRIVIA The only breed to originate in North Carolina, Plott hounds were designated the official state dog on August 12, 1989. The Plott hound is one of only 12 breeds known to be of American origin.
	Click to enlarge an image Plott Hound CLASSIFICATION Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Chordata Class: Mammalia Order: Carnivora Family: Canidae Genus: Canus Species: C. lupus Subspecies: C. l. familiaris
	Data Source: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Author: World Trade Press