The common name of squirrels is derived from the Greek word skiouros, which means “shade tail,” an allusion to one of their most prominent features. Completely covered in fur and often longer the animal’s body and head combined, the tail is frequently bushy, but may appear flatter depending upon species and the way in which the hair grows. The color of the tail and the rest of the small mammal’s fur vary considerably, ranging from earth tones of gray, brown, and black, to brighter hues of white, yellow, orange, and red. Fur markings and patterns are also rather variable, some of which may be quite complex. Dense and silky to the touch, while inexpensive compared to many other types of fur, squirrel pelts have been utilized in the fur industry throughout history.