Rural Perspectives

The antics of Fox Squirrels are fun to observe as they forage for food

by Diane Constable

The Fox Squirrel is found in forested areas and in our neighborhoods. This squirrel gets its name because its fur coloring reminds people of the gray fox. The scientific name Sciurus niger means “shadow tail with dark fur.”

It is our largest tree squirrel, up to 30 inches long with a tail as long as its body. Most of its time is spent on the ground foraging for and burying food. Favorite foods include most nuts, acorns and other tree seeds, plus fruit, some grains, insects, and bird eggs. This two-and-a-half pound rodent will eat about a pound of food a week. They bury nuts and seeds for future use and sometimes forget where their stash is, resulting in sprouted trees. A favorite ruse is to pretend to bury food to confuse others from knowing where the actual nuts are buried.

Fox Squirrels make their nests in tree cavities and frequently build stick-and-leaf nests high in trees. They often have multiple nests and will sometimes move their two to four babies, or kits, from one to another. The kits are born in early spring and open their eyes at about six weeks. They are on their own at around 16 weeks old. A second litter may be born in the fall.

Although a solitary animal, Fox Squirrels are often seen chasing each other in trees. Their acrobatics are fun to watch as they leap up to 15 feet from tree to tree and free fall, jumping up to 20 feet to gently land on a branch or tree trunk. Their quick actions and lightning-fast turns also help them avoid predators. They live about 10 years in the wild.

Fun Fact: Fox squirrels can climb down a tree headfirst because their ankle joints can rotate nearly 180 degrees.

Diane Gray Constable