已知最(zui)(zui)早的(de)(de)(de)松(song)(song)鼠(shu)(shu)(shu)類(lei)物種的(de)(de)(de)化(hua)(hua)(hua)石來自始(shi)新(xin)世(shi)的(de)(de)(de)地層。那是距(ju)今6500萬(wan)年~3500萬(wan)年前的(de)(de)(de)久遠(yuan)時(shi)代。那時(shi)恐龍剛剛滅絕不久,哺乳動物尚未(wei)在(zai)(zai)陸(lu)地上取(qu)得控制權,青(qing)藏(zang)高(gao)原尚未(wei)成(cheng)為(wei)陸(lu)地,歐洲(zhou)(zhou)(zhou)和(he)北(bei)美(mei)洲(zhou)(zhou)(zhou)仍然有(you)(you)陸(lu)地相(xiang)連,南(nan)美(mei)洲(zhou)(zhou)(zhou)則是一(yi)個巨大(da)的(de)(de)(de)島(dao)嶼。最(zui)(zui)原始(shi)的(de)(de)(de)松(song)(song)鼠(shu)(shu)(shu)生活在(zai)(zai)北(bei)美(mei)洲(zhou)(zhou)(zhou),形態(tai)與今天(tian)的(de)(de)(de)鼯鼠(shu)(shu)(shu)接(jie)近。在(zai)(zai)北(bei)美(mei)洲(zhou)(zhou)(zhou)晚始(shi)新(xin)世(shi)的(de)(de)(de)地層中(zhong)還發現(xian)(xian)了(le)一(yi)系(xi)列松(song)(song)鼠(shu)(shu)(shu)類(lei)物種的(de)(de)(de)化(hua)(hua)(hua)石,不同于現(xian)(xian)在(zai)(zai)的(de)(de)(de)任(ren)何(he)一(yi)類(lei)松(song)(song)鼠(shu)(shu)(shu)。北(bei)美(mei)洲(zhou)(zhou)(zhou)異常豐富的(de)(de)(de)化(hua)(hua)(hua)石松(song)(song)鼠(shu)(shu)(shu)種類(lei)顯示(shi),松(song)(song)鼠(shu)(shu)(shu)科起(qi)源于始(shi)新(xin)世(shi)的(de)(de)(de)北(bei)美(mei)洲(zhou)(zhou)(zhou),并在(zai)(zai)之后(hou)的(de)(de)(de)漫長(chang)歲月中(zhong)輻射到了(le)大(da)洋(yang)洲(zhou)(zhou)(zhou)以(yi)外的(de)(de)(de)各(ge)(ge)大(da)洲(zhou)(zhou)(zhou),在(zai)(zai)這個過(guo)程(cheng)中(zhong)演化(hua)(hua)(hua)出(chu)了(le)形態(tai)各(ge)(ge)異、適(shi)應各(ge)(ge)種環境的(de)(de)(de)物種。在(zai)(zai)現(xian)(xian)存(cun)的(de)(de)(de)嚙齒(chi)目松(song)(song)鼠(shu)(shu)(shu)亞(ya)目物種中(zhong),主(zhu)要分(fen)布(bu)(bu)于歐亞(ya)大(da)陸(lu)的(de)(de)(de)睡鼠(shu)(shu)(shu)科和(he)分(fen)布(bu)(bu)于北(bei)美(mei)洲(zhou)(zhou)(zhou)的(de)(de)(de)山河貍(li)科與松(song)(song)鼠(shu)(shu)(shu)科有(you)(you)較近的(de)(de)(de)親緣關系(xi)。而松(song)(song)鼠(shu)(shu)(shu)科是最(zui)(zui)為(wei)人熟知的(de)(de)(de)松(song)(song)鼠(shu)(shu)(shu)家族成(cheng)員(yuan),也是分(fen)布(bu)(bu)最(zui)(zui)廣、種類(lei)最(zui)(zui)繁(fan)多的(de)(de)(de)一(yi)個類(lei)群。
廣布(bu)于古北界(jie)溫帶(dai)和寒(han)溫帶(dai)森(sen)林生態系統中(zhong),西起伊比利亞和大不(bu)列顛島,東(dong)至堪(kan)察加半島、俄(e)羅斯薩哈林島和日本的北海道,南至地中(zhong)海、黑海、蒙古北部、中(zhong)國的西北和東(dong)北地區(qu)。
松(song)(song)鼠主要分布在由松(song)(song)屬(shu)(Pinus)、落葉松(song)(song)屬(shu)(Larix)和(he)云杉屬(shu)(Picea)樹種構成的(de)針葉林(lin)(lin)(lin)或針闊(kuo)混交林(lin)(lin)(lin)中(zhong)。由于食(shi)物來源相對較為豐(feng)富(fu)和(he)穩定,松(song)(song)鼠在針闊(kuo)混交林(lin)(lin)(lin)中(zhong)可(ke)(ke)以維持較高的(de)種群(qun)密度,并(bing)可(ke)(ke)以利用城(cheng)郊(jiao)甚(shen)至(zhi)城(cheng)市中(zhong)的(de)小片林(lin)(lin)(lin)地,成為伴人動物。
歐亞(ya)大陸(lu)北部(bu)溫帶針(zhen)葉林(lin)帶廣(guang)泛分布(bu)的(de)歐亞(ya)紅(hong)(hong)(hong)(hong)松(song)(song)鼠(shu)(shu)(也(ye)(ye)稱北松(song)(song)鼠(shu)(shu))是松(song)(song)鼠(shu)(shu)的(de)典型代表(biao),也(ye)(ye)是大眾熟知的(de)松(song)(song)鼠(shu)(shu)形(xing)象的(de)原型。分布(bu)在歐亞(ya)大陸(lu)東(dong)端的(de)歐亞(ya)紅(hong)(hong)(hong)(hong)松(song)(song)鼠(shu)(shu)冬季(ji)背毛(mao)黑而(er)腹白,夏毛(mao)灰(hui)間棕紅(hong)(hong)(hong)(hong)色(se)(se);而(er)分布(bu)在歐亞(ya)大陸(lu)西端的(de)歐亞(ya)紅(hong)(hong)(hong)(hong)松(song)(song)鼠(shu)(shu)背毛(mao)全(quan)年均為棕紅(hong)(hong)(hong)(hong)色(se)(se)。灰(hui)間棕紅(hong)(hong)(hong)(hong)色(se)(se)也(ye)(ye)是北美(mei)洲森林(lin)中多數松(song)(song)鼠(shu)(shu)的(de)主要色(se)(se)調。歐亞(ya)紅(hong)(hong)(hong)(hong)松(song)(song)鼠(shu)(shu)在分布(bu)范圍內(nei)從東(dong)至西不同地理群體毛(mao)色(se)(se)的(de)變(bian)化也(ye)(ye)是歷史上(shang)松(song)(song)鼠(shu)(shu)從北美(mei)大陸(lu)起源(yuan),輻射(she)進入歐亞(ya)大陸(lu)這一(yi)過程(cheng)的(de)反映。
在(zai)中(zhong)國,東北地(di)(di)區(qu)和新疆的(de)(de)泰加林是歐亞(ya)紅(hong)松(song)(song)(song)鼠的(de)(de)天然分(fen)布范圍。而華(hua)北等(deng)(deng)地(di)(di)的(de)(de)闊葉林和針闊混交林中(zhong)分(fen)布更為廣泛(fan)的(de)(de)松(song)(song)(song)鼠是巖(yan)松(song)(song)(song)鼠。巖(yan)松(song)(song)(song)鼠體型較歐亞(ya)紅(hong)松(song)(song)(song)鼠小,耳朵上(shang)不具有長(chang)毛簇,色偏灰黃,更多(duo)地(di)(di)會(hui)(hui)下(xia)到(dao)(dao)地(di)(di)面上(shang)活(huo)動(dong),尤其在(zai)多(duo)巖(yan)地(di)(di)帶,因此得名(ming)。而花鼠也(ye)是中(zhong)國溫帶地(di)(di)區(qu)常見(jian)的(de)(de)松(song)(song)(song)鼠。這種背部長(chang)有黑白相間縱紋的(de)(de)小動(dong)物(wu)會(hui)(hui)花更多(duo)的(de)(de)時間在(zai)地(di)(di)面覓食(shi),并常捕(bu)食(shi)小動(dong)物(wu),還嗜(shi)啃食(shi)樹皮。赤(chi)腹松(song)(song)(song)鼠甚為膽大,且可適應受(shou)到(dao)(dao)干擾的(de)(de)林緣生境(jing),因此也(ye)能很好地(di)(di)生活(huo)在(zai)城(cheng)市(shi)公園(yuan)綠地(di)(di)中(zhong)。在(zai)上(shang)海、廣州(zhou)、成都(dou)和昆明等(deng)(deng)大城(cheng)市(shi)的(de)(de)城(cheng)市(shi)公園(yuan)及(ji)周(zhou)邊(bian)地(di)(di)區(qu)都(dou)生存著赤(chi)腹松(song)(song)(song)鼠,也(ye)是中(zhong)國南方城(cheng)市(shi)居民最易見(jian)到(dao)(dao)的(de)(de)野生哺乳動(dong)物(wu)。
松鼠(shu)(shu)全年活(huo)動(dong)(dong),不冬(dong)眠,為(wei)日(ri)行性動(dong)(dong)物,每日(ri)開(kai)始活(huo)動(dong)(dong)時(shi)間(jian)與日(ri)出時(shi)間(jian)有關,而結束活(huo)動(dong)(dong)時(shi)間(jian)與日(ri)落時(shi)間(jian)無(wu)明顯(xian)關聯。松鼠(shu)(shu)的(de)日(ri)活(huo)動(dong)(dong)節(jie)律(lv)受氣候(hou)條件的(de)影響(xiang),大風、暴雨和(he)嚴寒酷暑(shu)都(dou)會減(jian)少松鼠(shu)(shu)的(de)活(huo)動(dong)(dong)時(shi)間(jian)。覓(mi)食需(xu)要(yao)和(he)留在巢中保存能(neng)量的(de)權衡(tradeoff)影響(xiang)著松鼠(shu)(shu)冬(dong)季(ji)的(de)活(huo)動(dong)(dong)格局(ju)。冬(dong)季(ji)日(ri)活(huo)動(dong)(dong)節(jie)律(lv)呈單峰型(xing),在嚴寒天氣條件下也會留在巢中幾(ji)天不活(huo)動(dong)(dong)。夏(xia)(xia)季(ji)則在上午和(he)下午各出現一個活(huo)動(dong)(dong)高(gao)峰,。春季(ji)和(he)秋(qiu)季(ji)的(de)日(ri)活(huo)動(dong)(dong)格局(ju)介于冬(dong)、夏(xia)(xia)之間(jian)。
松(song)鼠(shu)70%~80%的(de)時間都用于覓食(shi)(shi)活(huo)動(dong),傾向(xiang)于在針葉(xie)林中覓食(shi)(shi)和貯食(shi)(shi)。秋季松(song)鼠(shu)將(jiang)堅(jian)果分(fen)散貯藏于地面,將(jiang)真菌貯藏于樹枝上。秋季貯食(shi)(shi)有利于松(song)鼠(shu)越冬和第二(er)年(nian)的(de)生(sheng)育。松(song)鼠(shu)貯食(shi)(shi)微生(sheng)境選擇及貯食(shi)(shi)重取機制得到了(le)深入的(de)研究,成為當前國內松(song)鼠(shu)生(sheng)態學研究的(de)熱點。
松鼠(shu)(shu)大部分(fen)時間獨居。社群結構建立在同(tong)性(xing)(xing)(xing)間和兩性(xing)(xing)(xing)間的(de)優(you)勢序列基礎上(shang),優(you)勢個(ge)體(ti)(ti)體(ti)(ti)型(xing)通(tong)常較其他個(ge)體(ti)(ti)大。等級(ji)優(you)勢通(tong)常僅在生殖季(ji)節(jie)才(cai)得以體(ti)(ti)現(xian)。松鼠(shu)(shu)會用尿液和下頜腺的(de)分(fen)泌物(wu)在樹干和樹枝上(shang)涂抹,以標記(ji)家(jia)(jia)(jia)域(homerange)。松鼠(shu)(shu)的(de)家(jia)(jia)(jia)域大小與生境(jing)質量、季(ji)節(jie)、性(xing)(xing)(xing)活動及(ji)食物(wu)豐(feng)度(du)相關,不同(tong)分(fen)布(bu)區家(jia)(jia)(jia)域大小差別很大,但通(tong)常雄性(xing)(xing)(xing)家(jia)(jia)(jia)域大于雌性(xing)(xing)(xing),優(you)勢個(ge)體(ti)(ti)家(jia)(jia)(jia)域大于次級(ji)個(ge)體(ti)(ti)。在食物(wu)豐(feng)富的(de)地區,家(jia)(jia)(jia)域會出(chu)現(xian)小范(fan)圍的(de)重(zhong)疊。
松(song)(song)鼠(shu)(shu)營巢(chao)(chao)居生活,也可以(yi)(yi)利用(yong)樹(shu)(shu)(shu)洞和(he)鳥巢(chao)(chao)。每個個體(ti)(ti)(ti)通(tong)常(chang)同時(shi)占(zhan)有2~3個巢(chao)(chao)。由于(yu)杉樹(shu)(shu)(shu)枝葉相(xiang)對松(song)(song)樹(shu)(shu)(shu)更(geng)為濃密,在人工林中,松(song)(song)鼠(shu)(shu)通(tong)常(chang)選擇(ze)在杉樹(shu)(shu)(shu)上(shang)營巢(chao)(chao)。天(tian)然林中的(de)(de)巢(chao)(chao)址選擇(ze)問(wen)題未見(jian)報道。巢(chao)(chao)大(da)部分(fen)營建(jian)在距(ju)地面8~16m的(de)(de)樹(shu)(shu)(shu)枝上(shang),靠近樹(shu)(shu)(shu)干或者位(wei)于(yu)樹(shu)(shu)(shu)枝分(fen)叉處,分(fen)為日間使(shi)用(yong)的(de)(de)休息巢(chao)(chao)和(he)夜間使(shi)用(yong)的(de)(de)睡眠(mian)巢(chao)(chao)兩種類(lei)型,通(tong)常(chang)呈球形,直徑約30cm,外層由細枝、松(song)(song)針和(he)樹(shu)(shu)(shu)葉筑成,內徑約12~16cm,覆以(yi)(yi)苔蘚、樹(shu)(shu)(shu)葉、松(song)(song)針、干草和(he)枝皮等柔軟(ruan)的(de)(de)材料(liao)。冬季(ji)松(song)(song)鼠(shu)(shu)巢(chao)(chao)內形成一個微氣候環(huan)境,溫(wen)度能高出巢(chao)(chao)外20~30°C,從而減少了機(ji)體(ti)(ti)(ti)體(ti)(ti)(ti)溫(wen)調節所消(xiao)耗的(de)(de)能量,減少了暴露(lu)在巢(chao)(chao)外低溫(wen)、大(da)風中的(de)(de)時(shi)間,這是生活于(yu)北溫(wen)帶(dai)地區(qu)的(de)(de)松(song)(song)鼠(shu)(shu)冬季(ji)生存策略(lve)之一。在寒冷的(de)(de)冬季(ji),也會出現幾只松(song)(song)鼠(shu)(shu)分(fen)享(xiang)同一個巢(chao)(chao)以(yi)(yi)維(wei)持體(ti)(ti)(ti)溫(wen)的(de)(de)現象。
松鼠沒有明(ming)顯的遷徙,但有短距(ju)離的擴(kuo)(kuo)散(san)(san)行為,包括由越冬地向外(wai)的擴(kuo)(kuo)散(san)(san)和由出生地向外(wai)的擴(kuo)(kuo)散(san)(san)。本地競爭決定(ding)了種群松鼠生態學研(yan)(yan)究現狀與(yu)展望擴(kuo)(kuo)散(san)(san)距(ju)離。研(yan)(yan)究表(biao)明(ming),不同性(xing)(xing)別在(zai)(zai)擴(kuo)(kuo)散(san)(san)季節上存在(zai)(zai)差異(yi),大部分雄性(xing)(xing)個體在(zai)(zai)春季擴(kuo)(kuo)散(san)(san),而雌性(xing)(xing)通常在(zai)(zai)秋季擴(kuo)(kuo)散(san)(san)。雌性(xing)(xing)個體的擴(kuo)(kuo)散(san)(san)受(shou)食物的影響(xiang),雄性(xing)(xing)的擴(kuo)(kuo)散(san)(san)則取決于(yu)雌性(xing)(xing)的分布。
松鼠(shu)(shu)的(de)生(sheng)(sheng)殖(zhi)狀態與食(shi)物獲(huo)取狀況密切(qie)相(xiang)關。每年可以有兩次生(sheng)(sheng)育(yu)(yu)(yu),分(fen)別在2、3月和7、8月交配(pei)(pei),妊娠期約(yue)為(wei)38~39d。但如(ru)果(guo)食(shi)物獲(huo)取不足,則春季交配(pei)(pei)會(hui)被推遲或消失(shi)。婚配(pei)(pei)制度是一雄(xiong)多雌(ci)制或混交制。交配(pei)(pei)前(qian)有求偶行為(wei),通(tong)常(chang)優勢雄(xiong)鼠(shu)(shu)會(hui)擁有更多的(de)交配(pei)(pei)機會(hui)。初生(sheng)(sheng)雌(ci)鼠(shu)(shu)通(tong)常(chang)第二年開(kai)始生(sheng)(sheng)育(yu)(yu)(yu),其生(sheng)(sheng)殖(zhi)能力與體重密切(qie)相(xiang)關,只(zhi)有超(chao)過(guo)一定體重閾(yu)的(de)雌(ci)性松鼠(shu)(shu)才具備生(sheng)(sheng)育(yu)(yu)(yu)能力,而且體重越(yue)大(da)能夠生(sheng)(sheng)育(yu)(yu)(yu)的(de)后代越(yue)多。幼仔(zi)由雌(ci)鼠(shu)(shu)單(dan)獨(du)哺(bu)育(yu)(yu)(yu),哺(bu)乳(ru)期超(chao)過(guo)10周(zhou)。