Fox Squirrel Size report
Did you know that the squirrels you may see in the street are not the only type of squirrel? There are over 200 squirrels worldwide, including the fox squirrel. With so many types of squirrels, it can be hard to see the little differences that make them unique.
The fox squirrel (scientific name: Sciurus niger) is a large, thick-bodied arboreal squirrel. Fox squirrels are closely related to gray squirrels and are considered the most variably colored tree squirrels in the world. They mostly forage in forests on hillsides and river valleys. Active during the day, most active in the early morning, good at climbing and jumping on trees, and agile.
They live in groups and are playful, often chasing each other in trees and meadows, building nests in trees, or living in tree holes. Maybe you have seen a fox squirrel in the garden, street, grass, but you haven't even recognized what a fox squirrel looks like. This post shares more interesting facts about these cute fox squirrels.
Fox Squirrel General Description
Fox squirrels are larger than ordinary grey squirrels. There are no skin wings between the fore and hind legs and a long, furry tail. They have sharp claws, forearm flexors, extensors, and abdominal muscles to facilitate climbing. Fox squirrels have well-developed senses, including good sight, hearing, and smell. Fox squirrels also have several sets of tentacles, thick hairs, or whiskers that touch receptors use to sense their environment. The tail is nearly half their length. Their tail stabilizes when a squirrel goes airborne between trees or branches. If they fall, it is a mini-parachute.
Coat Color
Fox squirrels have three distinct geographic differences in coat coloration: fox squirrels in most regions are brown-grey to tan, while in the eastern areas, fox squirrels often have black markings on the head and white nose, ears, and paws. A uniform, isolated subspecies with black coats can be found in the south. The coat color of the Midwest ranges from tan-grey to tan, and the coat color varies with the season. Molt every spring and autumn.
Average Size
Fox squirrels are approximate twice the size of gray squirrels. The Fox squirrel is the largest tree squirrel native to North America. It is 18–29 inches long (46–74 cm), plus a tail length of 8–13 inches (31 cm), and weighs 1.1–2.2 pounds (31.2–62.4 g).
Life Cycle
The fox squirrel can mate at any time of the year, but mating usually peaks in December and June. Forty-five days after mating, the female gives birth to two to four young litter. Fox squirrels that survive to become adults live 3 to 4 years. Individual animals have been known to live as long as 12 years.
Habitat and Living Haibits
Fox squirrels are found in North America and have many habitat options but most often inhabit forest areas up to 40 hectares or on trees in urban blocks. Fox squirrels prefer woodland habitats with an open herbaceous understory and patchy shrub cover. Although the fox squirrel will share a feeding area with other squirrels, the fox squirrel is a solitary animal. But when food is extremely poor, there is mass migration.
Store foods such as nuts, oak, pecans, walnuts, pine seeds, and nuts during the winter. They build nests in trees or use tree holes to live and have the habit of storing food for the winter without hibernating. It spends most of the day eating and gathering, and storing food.
Conclusion
Just as you can not find two squirrels are the same, not all fox squirrels are the same. You can find as many as 12 different types of fox squirrels in the United States who can vary in size and color. Although fox squirrels spend much of their time on the ground, they are shy, agile climbers impressive jumpers. Please do not disturb their daily life when you encounter Fox squirrels in the park foraging.
