Fox Squirrels

[Blufftonian]

Fox squirrels are the largest tree squirrels in North America and about twice the size of the much more common eastern grey squirrels. They occur over most of the eastern USA but (curiously?) aren't found in New England and the north-east. They are called fox squirrels because throughout most of their range the colour of their fur is reddish brown, somewhat resembling a fox. But here in the extreme south east they tend to be mostly grey with black and white "trim"! I've recently seen two young ones in the same location, probably siblings; one all black, and one black and white. Here's the latter from some shots I took yesterday.

Their habits seem very similar to the greys although they seem to be found more often on the ground. Maybe with their larger size they are less concerned about the local red-shouldered hawks!

Here are some older shots of adults with the more typical colours. Unusually I don't think I've ever seen two of these with exactly the same patterned coats.

 

[raythentic]

Surely different than any other Squirrel I've seen Thanks for sharing these.

 

[flycaster]

Never saw a squirrel that looked like the ones in your shots. And I have been living in SEFL for 23 years. But, now that I am aware of their existence, I certainly will be keeping an eye out for them in my neighborhood and when I visit Wakodahatchee. The latter is my go-to for nature photograhy; and so far, I believe I've only seen grey squirrels there...but, maybe I wasn't looking too closely.

 

[nzmacro]

We don't have squirrels here as you know, but I can't say I've seen these types on the net before. These are just downright gorgeous and so are the way they are taken! Excellent. The long fluffy tails are amazing. More please.

Danny.

 

[Blufftonian]

Never saw a squirrel that looked like the ones in your shots. And I have been living in SEFL for 23 years. But, now that I am aware of their existence, I certainly will be keeping an eye out for them in my neighborhood and when I visit Wakodahatchee. The latter is my go-to for nature photograhy; and so far, I believe I've only seen grey squirrels there...but, maybe I wasn't looking too closely.

Their range definitely includes Florida.

I hope you get to see some.

 

[Blufftonian]

We don't have squirrels here as you know, but I can't say I've seen these types on the net before. These are just downright gorgeous and so are the way they are taken! Excellent. The long fluffy tails are amazing. More please.

Danny.

Thank you for the kind words Danny!

I can look out into my back yard and count 4 or more eastern grey squirrels just about any time but one of these fox squirrels is a much less common (and more welcome) visitor.

As requested...

I'm surprised that NZ has no squirrels. I know that because of the country's isolation the only indigenous mammals were a few bats and some marine mammals but I wouldn't have put it past some settler to introduce squirrels just as the American eastern greys were introduced to Great Britain in the 1890's (with a fairly disastrous impact on the Eurasian red squirrels.)

Kevin.

 

[nzmacro]

Fantastic mate. Love them!

 

[PentUp]

Thanks for posting these Kevin. Both interesting and well photographed!