CROATIAN FAUNA 2003 - RODENTS - SQUIRREL(SCIURUS VULGARIS L)

The stamps have been issued in 20-stamp sheets, and there are also the commemorative First Day Cover (FDC), three maximum cards and combined booklet (6 x 2,30 HRK, 2 x 2,80 HRK and 2 x 3,50 HRK). The stamps have been issued in 20-stamp sheets, and there are also the commemorative First Day Cover (FDC), three maximum cards and combined booklet (6 x 2,30 HRK, 2 x 2,80 HRK and 2 x 3,50 HRK). Rodents, the order that includes the dormouse, squirrel and beaver, are spread out world-wide. Half of the existing mammals are rodents among whom we distinguish 2821 species. Their name is derived from their upper incisors that are significantly bigger than the other teeth in the jaws as they grow incessantly. Rodents live in all regions where vegetation is spread out. The particular places of their most frequent dwelling are different: they can be found on trees, under the surface of the earth, in water, in subterranean holes, in bushes and in open fields. Considering their interrelation, they may live in couples, in families or in large groups. Rodents are chiefly herbivore and feed on roots, tree bark, leaves, flowers and fruit. Some species feed on food of animal origin, which classifies them under omnivore. It is characteristic, too, that particular rodent species hord supplies of food into some underground storage to secure their needs in unfavourable seasons. Individual species represent (or used to represent) significant economic species, primarily on account of their precious fur (beaver, coypu, musk-rat), but also for its meat (dormouse), and this is the reason they are also being raised on farms. Many rodents represent the most harmful and dangerous of man’s enemies. On account of their extreme natural reproduction and taking into account the food they feed on, they often cause incalculable damage to the crop and in households. They are also transmitters of numerous infectious diseases, which poses exceptional danger for man, particularly in densely populated places or regions. Man’s perpetual fight against rodents and the great number of their natural enemies, as well as various diseases attacking rodents, all these factors keep their natural balance, otherwise they would flood the Earth. On the other hand, certain rodent species have been reduced to a rather small number, which demands their strict protection and activities that would bring about the preservation of the species from extinction. Among the species that demand our protection are the dormouse, squirrel and beaver, and this is the reason that they find a deserving place on postage stamps. Squirrel (Sciurus vulgaris L.) The squirrel is one of the rare rodent species that has made friends with man and is welcomed in his vicinity, even kept in the house. The body of the squirrel is up to 25 cm long, and the luxuriant, bushy tail up to 20 cm. The colour of the hairs on the back and the tail is reddish brown, the head is grayish, and below it is white. The colour of the hairs can be different, pronounced brown, even black. There are small tufts of long hairs on the auricles. It is spread out all over Europe, except in Iceland and some Mediterranean islands. We find the squirrel in Croatia in all natural habitats and parks of urban centres. The squirrel dwells in forests, parks and gardens. It can climb trees, jump from branch to branch, even jump from one tree to another. In its quest for food it will also move down on the ground. It mostly feeds on various types of seeds and fruit, and sometimes it will eat eggs or the young of birds. The squirrel is active during the day, which makes it easily noticeable, and it does not have an actual hibernation period. The squirrel has a good reproduction capacity and in these regions there are two generations yearly, with three to seven young in the litter. It mates from January to July, and the gravidity lasts between 28 to 35 days. The young are blind for a few first days of their lives, they suck for a month and become independent when they are two months old. At the age of one year they reach sexual maturity. The squirrel builds its nest in the hole or among the branches of a tree, and in the tree crown. Though having a good reproduction capacity, there is a scarcity of squirrels to be found in nature. The reason lies in the great number of natural enemies of the squirrel, the most dangerous among them being the pine marten. The squirrel is a very tidy animal and this makes it suitable even for keeping it at home as a pet.