Over the winter we started seeing some new squirrels at our bird feeder. They are smaller than our gray squirrels (which we see daily), with white bellies, gray-red backs, and red tails. They look most like little gray squirrels with red tails, and at first I thought they were just a variation of our grays. I've read that we don't have red squirrels this far south in Illinois. Are these little guys reds or unusual grays?

We also have a tailless gray squirrel who visits our feeder; can a squirrel survive for long without a tail?

Gray squirrels have their first litter in mid-February to mid-March. You might be seeing very young gray squirrels. Some of them have quite a bit of red in their fur. As far as I know, the only documented populations of red squirrels in Illinois are located in the northeastern counties. Can you get a picture of these small squirrels and send it to me? That would help us confirm whether or not the animals are young gray squirrels.

A squirrel can survive without its tail. However, it would be at a disadvantage because the tail helps with balance and helps to keep the animal warm in winter. As long as the squirrel has an adequate nest it should be fine.