This question of Gray squirrel/Douglas Squirrel competition has come up
before, with inclusive answers. Douglas Squirrels dominate in conifer
forests and Gray Squirrels in deciduous forest. The Gray Squirrel expansion
and Douglas Squirrel retreat in the Puget Trough may be more related to
replacement of conifer forests with ornamental deciduous forest than direct
competition. On the other hand, some posters (such as yourself) have
witnessed direct aggression between the two.

Kelly Cassidy
Pullman WA

> If there's a territorial battle between Eastern Gray squirrels and our
> resident Douglas Squirrels, who usually wins? Both species hang out on my
> property and in the adjacent woods, and the little Douglas squirrels seem
to
> be holding their own, thankfully. The Douglas squirrels especially like
my
> big hemlocks and I've seen them agressively (and successfully) defend
these
> areas when the gray squirrels come nosing around looking for food. I
worry
> that the gray squirrels will eventually drive out the little guys. Can
both
> species coexist in the same vicinity or does one generally end up
> outcompeting the other?
>
>
> Jody Breckenridge
> North of Monroe, rural Snohomish County
> jbreckenridge at r2usa.com
>
>
>