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Baby Eastern Gray Squirrel Although they can be troublesome pests at bird feeders, this carbon and pastel pencil sketch of a baby squirrel evokes fond memories for me. When I was a child, mother raised four baby squirrels. One even slept in her apron pocket while she did housework. The one in this painting has a kernel of corn in its paws and seems to be asking for more. The Eastern Gray Squirrel, Sciurus carolinensis, is a tree squirrel native to the eastern and midwestern United States and the southeastern provinces of Canada. As the name suggests, its fur is predominantly gray but it can have a reddish tinge. This squirrel's belly is white and it has a large bushy tail. Particularly in urban situations where the risk of predation is reduced, both white- and black-colored squirrels are quite often found. A melanistic form, almost entirely black, is predominant over large parts of southeastern Canada and some localized areas (e.g., several Washington, DC neighborhoods). The original pastel pencil is in our family collection but limited edition prints and note cards are available. Click here for availability and price.