已知最(zui)(zui)早的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)松(song)鼠(shu)(shu)類物(wu)(wu)種(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)化(hua)石(shi)來自始新世(shi)(shi)的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)地(di)層。那(nei)是(shi)(shi)距今(jin)(jin)6500萬(wan)年~3500萬(wan)年前的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)久遠時代。那(nei)時恐龍剛剛滅絕(jue)不久,哺乳動物(wu)(wu)尚(shang)未在(zai)陸(lu)(lu)地(di)上取(qu)得控(kong)制(zhi)權,青藏高原(yuan)尚(shang)未成為陸(lu)(lu)地(di),歐洲(zhou)(zhou)(zhou)(zhou)(zhou)(zhou)和(he)北(bei)(bei)(bei)美(mei)(mei)洲(zhou)(zhou)(zhou)(zhou)(zhou)(zhou)仍(reng)然有陸(lu)(lu)地(di)相(xiang)連,南美(mei)(mei)洲(zhou)(zhou)(zhou)(zhou)(zhou)(zhou)則是(shi)(shi)一(yi)(yi)(yi)個巨大(da)(da)的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)島嶼(yu)。最(zui)(zui)原(yuan)始的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)松(song)鼠(shu)(shu)生活在(zai)北(bei)(bei)(bei)美(mei)(mei)洲(zhou)(zhou)(zhou)(zhou)(zhou)(zhou),形(xing)態與(yu)今(jin)(jin)天的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)鼯鼠(shu)(shu)接近。在(zai)北(bei)(bei)(bei)美(mei)(mei)洲(zhou)(zhou)(zhou)(zhou)(zhou)(zhou)晚始新世(shi)(shi)的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)地(di)層中還發(fa)現了一(yi)(yi)(yi)系(xi)列(lie)松(song)鼠(shu)(shu)類物(wu)(wu)種(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)化(hua)石(shi),不同于(yu)現在(zai)的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)任何(he)一(yi)(yi)(yi)類松(song)鼠(shu)(shu)。北(bei)(bei)(bei)美(mei)(mei)洲(zhou)(zhou)(zhou)(zhou)(zhou)(zhou)異常豐富(fu)的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)化(hua)石(shi)松(song)鼠(shu)(shu)種(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)類顯示,松(song)鼠(shu)(shu)科(ke)起(qi)源(yuan)于(yu)始新世(shi)(shi)的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)北(bei)(bei)(bei)美(mei)(mei)洲(zhou)(zhou)(zhou)(zhou)(zhou)(zhou),并(bing)在(zai)之(zhi)后的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)漫(man)長(chang)歲月中輻(fu)射到了大(da)(da)洋洲(zhou)(zhou)(zhou)(zhou)(zhou)(zhou)以外的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)各大(da)(da)洲(zhou)(zhou)(zhou)(zhou)(zhou)(zhou),在(zai)這(zhe)個過程中演化(hua)出了形(xing)態各異、適應各種(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)環境的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)物(wu)(wu)種(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)。在(zai)現存(cun)的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)嚙齒目松(song)鼠(shu)(shu)亞目物(wu)(wu)種(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)中,主要分布于(yu)歐亞大(da)(da)陸(lu)(lu)的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)睡鼠(shu)(shu)科(ke)和(he)分布于(yu)北(bei)(bei)(bei)美(mei)(mei)洲(zhou)(zhou)(zhou)(zhou)(zhou)(zhou)的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)山河(he)貍科(ke)與(yu)松(song)鼠(shu)(shu)科(ke)有較近的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)親緣(yuan)關系(xi)。而(er)松(song)鼠(shu)(shu)科(ke)是(shi)(shi)最(zui)(zui)為人(ren)熟知的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)松(song)鼠(shu)(shu)家族成員(yuan),也是(shi)(shi)分布最(zui)(zui)廣、種(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)類最(zui)(zui)繁多(duo)的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)一(yi)(yi)(yi)個類群(qun)。
廣布于古北界(jie)溫帶和寒溫帶森林生態(tai)系統中(zhong),西(xi)起(qi)伊比(bi)利(li)亞和大不列顛(dian)島(dao),東(dong)至堪察(cha)加(jia)半島(dao)、俄羅斯薩哈林島(dao)和日本的(de)北海道,南至地中(zhong)海、黑海、蒙(meng)古北部、中(zhong)國的(de)西(xi)北和東(dong)北地區(qu)。
松(song)鼠(shu)主要分布(bu)在由(you)松(song)屬(Pinus)、落葉松(song)屬(Larix)和云杉屬(Picea)樹種(zhong)構成的(de)針(zhen)葉林或針(zhen)闊混(hun)交林中(zhong)。由(you)于食(shi)物來源(yuan)相(xiang)對(dui)較為(wei)(wei)豐(feng)富和穩(wen)定,松(song)鼠(shu)在針(zhen)闊混(hun)交林中(zhong)可以(yi)維持較高的(de)種(zhong)群(qun)密度,并可以(yi)利用城郊甚(shen)至城市中(zhong)的(de)小片林地,成為(wei)(wei)伴人動物。
歐(ou)(ou)亞(ya)大陸(lu)(lu)北(bei)部溫帶針葉林帶廣(guang)泛分(fen)布(bu)(bu)的(de)(de)歐(ou)(ou)亞(ya)紅(hong)松(song)(song)鼠(shu)(也(ye)稱北(bei)松(song)(song)鼠(shu))是松(song)(song)鼠(shu)的(de)(de)典型代表(biao),也(ye)是大眾熟知的(de)(de)松(song)(song)鼠(shu)形象的(de)(de)原(yuan)型。分(fen)布(bu)(bu)在歐(ou)(ou)亞(ya)大陸(lu)(lu)東(dong)端的(de)(de)歐(ou)(ou)亞(ya)紅(hong)松(song)(song)鼠(shu)冬季背毛(mao)黑而腹(fu)白,夏毛(mao)灰間棕紅(hong)色;而分(fen)布(bu)(bu)在歐(ou)(ou)亞(ya)大陸(lu)(lu)西(xi)端的(de)(de)歐(ou)(ou)亞(ya)紅(hong)松(song)(song)鼠(shu)背毛(mao)全年(nian)均為棕紅(hong)色。灰間棕紅(hong)色也(ye)是北(bei)美洲森(sen)林中多數松(song)(song)鼠(shu)的(de)(de)主要色調(diao)。歐(ou)(ou)亞(ya)紅(hong)松(song)(song)鼠(shu)在分(fen)布(bu)(bu)范圍內從東(dong)至(zhi)西(xi)不同地理(li)群體(ti)毛(mao)色的(de)(de)變化也(ye)是歷史(shi)上松(song)(song)鼠(shu)從北(bei)美大陸(lu)(lu)起源,輻射進入歐(ou)(ou)亞(ya)大陸(lu)(lu)這一(yi)過(guo)程的(de)(de)反映(ying)。
在(zai)中(zhong)(zhong)國,東(dong)北地(di)(di)(di)區和(he)新疆的(de)(de)(de)泰(tai)加林是(shi)歐亞(ya)紅(hong)松(song)(song)鼠的(de)(de)(de)天(tian)然分布范圍。而華北等(deng)地(di)(di)(di)的(de)(de)(de)闊葉林和(he)針闊混交林中(zhong)(zhong)分布更(geng)為廣(guang)泛的(de)(de)(de)松(song)(song)鼠是(shi)巖松(song)(song)鼠。巖松(song)(song)鼠體(ti)型較歐亞(ya)紅(hong)松(song)(song)鼠小(xiao),耳朵上(shang)(shang)不具有長(chang)毛(mao)簇,色偏灰黃,更(geng)多地(di)(di)(di)會下(xia)到(dao)地(di)(di)(di)面(mian)上(shang)(shang)活動,尤其在(zai)多巖地(di)(di)(di)帶,因此(ci)得名。而花(hua)鼠也是(shi)中(zhong)(zhong)國溫帶地(di)(di)(di)區常(chang)見的(de)(de)(de)松(song)(song)鼠。這種(zhong)背(bei)部長(chang)有黑白相間(jian)縱紋(wen)的(de)(de)(de)小(xiao)動物會花(hua)更(geng)多的(de)(de)(de)時間(jian)在(zai)地(di)(di)(di)面(mian)覓食(shi),并常(chang)捕食(shi)小(xiao)動物,還嗜(shi)啃食(shi)樹(shu)皮。赤腹松(song)(song)鼠甚(shen)為膽大,且可適應受到(dao)干擾的(de)(de)(de)林緣生(sheng)境,因此(ci)也能很好地(di)(di)(di)生(sheng)活在(zai)城市(shi)公(gong)園(yuan)(yuan)綠地(di)(di)(di)中(zhong)(zhong)。在(zai)上(shang)(shang)海、廣(guang)州、成都和(he)昆明等(deng)大城市(shi)的(de)(de)(de)城市(shi)公(gong)園(yuan)(yuan)及周邊地(di)(di)(di)區都生(sheng)存著赤腹松(song)(song)鼠,也是(shi)中(zhong)(zhong)國南(nan)方城市(shi)居民(min)最易見到(dao)的(de)(de)(de)野(ye)生(sheng)哺(bu)乳動物。
松(song)鼠(shu)全年活(huo)(huo)動(dong)(dong)(dong)(dong),不冬(dong)(dong)眠,為日(ri)行性動(dong)(dong)(dong)(dong)物,每日(ri)開始(shi)活(huo)(huo)動(dong)(dong)(dong)(dong)時(shi)間(jian)(jian)與日(ri)出(chu)時(shi)間(jian)(jian)有關,而結(jie)束活(huo)(huo)動(dong)(dong)(dong)(dong)時(shi)間(jian)(jian)與日(ri)落時(shi)間(jian)(jian)無(wu)明顯關聯(lian)。松(song)鼠(shu)的(de)(de)(de)日(ri)活(huo)(huo)動(dong)(dong)(dong)(dong)節律受(shou)氣(qi)候條件(jian)的(de)(de)(de)影響,大(da)風、暴(bao)雨和(he)嚴寒酷(ku)暑都會減少松(song)鼠(shu)的(de)(de)(de)活(huo)(huo)動(dong)(dong)(dong)(dong)時(shi)間(jian)(jian)。覓(mi)食需要(yao)和(he)留在(zai)巢中(zhong)保存能量的(de)(de)(de)權(quan)衡(heng)(tradeoff)影響著松(song)鼠(shu)冬(dong)(dong)季的(de)(de)(de)活(huo)(huo)動(dong)(dong)(dong)(dong)格局(ju)。冬(dong)(dong)季日(ri)活(huo)(huo)動(dong)(dong)(dong)(dong)節律呈單峰(feng)型(xing),在(zai)嚴寒天氣(qi)條件(jian)下也會留在(zai)巢中(zhong)幾天不活(huo)(huo)動(dong)(dong)(dong)(dong)。夏季則在(zai)上午和(he)下午各出(chu)現一個活(huo)(huo)動(dong)(dong)(dong)(dong)高峰(feng),。春季和(he)秋季的(de)(de)(de)日(ri)活(huo)(huo)動(dong)(dong)(dong)(dong)格局(ju)介(jie)于冬(dong)(dong)、夏之(zhi)間(jian)(jian)。
松鼠(shu)(shu)70%~80%的(de)時間(jian)都用于覓食活動,傾(qing)向于在針葉林中覓食和貯(zhu)(zhu)食。秋(qiu)季松鼠(shu)(shu)將(jiang)堅果分散(san)貯(zhu)(zhu)藏(zang)于地面,將(jiang)真(zhen)菌貯(zhu)(zhu)藏(zang)于樹枝(zhi)上。秋(qiu)季貯(zhu)(zhu)食有利于松鼠(shu)(shu)越冬(dong)和第二年的(de)生(sheng)育。松鼠(shu)(shu)貯(zhu)(zhu)食微生(sheng)境選擇及貯(zhu)(zhu)食重取機(ji)制得到(dao)了深入的(de)研(yan)究(jiu),成為當前國內松鼠(shu)(shu)生(sheng)態(tai)學(xue)研(yan)究(jiu)的(de)熱點(dian)。
松鼠大部分(fen)時間(jian)獨居。社群(qun)結構(gou)建立在同性(xing)(xing)(xing)間(jian)和兩性(xing)(xing)(xing)間(jian)的優(you)(you)勢(shi)序列基礎(chu)上,優(you)(you)勢(shi)個體體型通常較其他(ta)個體大。等級優(you)(you)勢(shi)通常僅(jin)在生(sheng)殖季節(jie)才得以(yi)體現(xian)。松鼠會(hui)(hui)用尿(niao)液和下頜腺的分(fen)泌物在樹干和樹枝上涂抹,以(yi)標記家(jia)(jia)域(yu)(yu)(yu)(yu)(homerange)。松鼠的家(jia)(jia)域(yu)(yu)(yu)(yu)大小(xiao)(xiao)與生(sheng)境質量、季節(jie)、性(xing)(xing)(xing)活動及食(shi)(shi)物豐度相(xiang)關,不同分(fen)布(bu)區家(jia)(jia)域(yu)(yu)(yu)(yu)大小(xiao)(xiao)差別很大,但通常雄性(xing)(xing)(xing)家(jia)(jia)域(yu)(yu)(yu)(yu)大于(yu)雌(ci)性(xing)(xing)(xing),優(you)(you)勢(shi)個體家(jia)(jia)域(yu)(yu)(yu)(yu)大于(yu)次(ci)級個體。在食(shi)(shi)物豐富的地區,家(jia)(jia)域(yu)(yu)(yu)(yu)會(hui)(hui)出現(xian)小(xiao)(xiao)范圍的重疊。
松(song)(song)鼠營(ying)(ying)巢居生活,也可以(yi)利用(yong)樹(shu)(shu)洞和(he)鳥巢。每個個體通常同(tong)時(shi)占有2~3個巢。由于杉(shan)樹(shu)(shu)枝(zhi)(zhi)葉相對松(song)(song)樹(shu)(shu)更為濃密,在(zai)(zai)(zai)人工林中,松(song)(song)鼠通常選(xuan)擇在(zai)(zai)(zai)杉(shan)樹(shu)(shu)上營(ying)(ying)巢。天然(ran)林中的(de)巢址選(xuan)擇問(wen)題未見(jian)報(bao)道。巢大部分(fen)營(ying)(ying)建在(zai)(zai)(zai)距地(di)面(mian)8~16m的(de)樹(shu)(shu)枝(zhi)(zhi)上,靠近樹(shu)(shu)干(gan)或(huo)者位于樹(shu)(shu)枝(zhi)(zhi)分(fen)叉處(chu),分(fen)為日間(jian)使用(yong)的(de)休息巢和(he)夜間(jian)使用(yong)的(de)睡眠(mian)巢兩種類型,通常呈球形,直(zhi)徑約30cm,外(wai)層(ceng)由細枝(zhi)(zhi)、松(song)(song)針和(he)樹(shu)(shu)葉筑成,內(nei)(nei)徑約12~16cm,覆以(yi)苔蘚、樹(shu)(shu)葉、松(song)(song)針、干(gan)草和(he)枝(zhi)(zhi)皮等柔軟的(de)材料。冬(dong)(dong)季(ji)松(song)(song)鼠巢內(nei)(nei)形成一(yi)個微氣候環境,溫(wen)度能(neng)高出(chu)巢外(wai)20~30°C,從而減少了機體體溫(wen)調(diao)節所消(xiao)耗的(de)能(neng)量,減少了暴露在(zai)(zai)(zai)巢外(wai)低溫(wen)、大風中的(de)時(shi)間(jian),這是生活于北(bei)溫(wen)帶地(di)區的(de)松(song)(song)鼠冬(dong)(dong)季(ji)生存策略之一(yi)。在(zai)(zai)(zai)寒(han)冷的(de)冬(dong)(dong)季(ji),也會出(chu)現幾(ji)只松(song)(song)鼠分(fen)享同(tong)一(yi)個巢以(yi)維持(chi)體溫(wen)的(de)現象。
松鼠沒有(you)明顯的(de)(de)遷徙,但有(you)短距離的(de)(de)擴(kuo)散(san)(san)行為,包括由越冬(dong)地(di)向外(wai)的(de)(de)擴(kuo)散(san)(san)和(he)由出(chu)生地(di)向外(wai)的(de)(de)擴(kuo)散(san)(san)。本(ben)地(di)競(jing)爭決(jue)(jue)定了種群松鼠生態學(xue)研(yan)究(jiu)現狀(zhuang)與展望擴(kuo)散(san)(san)距離。研(yan)究(jiu)表明,不同性(xing)別在(zai)擴(kuo)散(san)(san)季節(jie)上存在(zai)差異,大部分雄(xiong)性(xing)個體在(zai)春季擴(kuo)散(san)(san),而雌性(xing)通(tong)常在(zai)秋季擴(kuo)散(san)(san)。雌性(xing)個體的(de)(de)擴(kuo)散(san)(san)受(shou)食物的(de)(de)影響(xiang),雄(xiong)性(xing)的(de)(de)擴(kuo)散(san)(san)則取(qu)決(jue)(jue)于(yu)雌性(xing)的(de)(de)分布。
松(song)鼠(shu)(shu)的(de)生(sheng)(sheng)殖(zhi)狀(zhuang)(zhuang)態(tai)與(yu)食物(wu)獲取(qu)狀(zhuang)(zhuang)況密切(qie)相(xiang)關(guan)。每年(nian)可(ke)以有兩次生(sheng)(sheng)育(yu),分別在2、3月和7、8月交(jiao)配,妊娠期約為38~39d。但(dan)如果食物(wu)獲取(qu)不足,則(ze)春季交(jiao)配會(hui)(hui)被推遲或消失。婚配制(zhi)(zhi)度是(shi)一雄(xiong)多(duo)(duo)雌(ci)制(zhi)(zhi)或混交(jiao)制(zhi)(zhi)。交(jiao)配前(qian)有求偶行為,通常(chang)(chang)優勢雄(xiong)鼠(shu)(shu)會(hui)(hui)擁(yong)有更多(duo)(duo)的(de)交(jiao)配機會(hui)(hui)。初生(sheng)(sheng)雌(ci)鼠(shu)(shu)通常(chang)(chang)第二(er)年(nian)開始生(sheng)(sheng)育(yu),其生(sheng)(sheng)殖(zhi)能力(li)(li)與(yu)體(ti)重(zhong)密切(qie)相(xiang)關(guan),只有超過一定體(ti)重(zhong)閾(yu)的(de)雌(ci)性松(song)鼠(shu)(shu)才具備生(sheng)(sheng)育(yu)能力(li)(li),而且體(ti)重(zhong)越(yue)大能夠(gou)生(sheng)(sheng)育(yu)的(de)后代越(yue)多(duo)(duo)。幼仔由雌(ci)鼠(shu)(shu)單獨哺育(yu),哺乳期超過10周。