This Fox Squirrel was one of the four squirrels my dear friend and wildlife photographer, Steve Creek, had living in his yard at his home in Arkansas.
Standing Fox Squirrel adult – Canon R7, handheld, f8, 1/1250, ISO 4000, Canon RF 100-500mm at 500m, natural light
During my visit to Steve’s home, I had a great time watching the Fox Squirrels in his yard. The squirrels were busy chasing each other, foraging for food, and enjoying sunflower seeds at his bird feeders. The squirrels certainly kept me amused with their antics.
I took quite a few images of the Fox Squirrels I saw in Arkansas. This is the first of many images that I created of them while I was visiting Steve, I just haven’t had time to edit more of those pictures.
The first time I ever saw a Fox Squirrel was when I lived in North Carolina while I was wandering in the woods of a public area. The Fox Squirrel I saw there was more colorful than the one above, with shades of black, white, and red. At first, I thought I had stumbled upon an escaped exotic animal, but I quickly realized that it was a Fox Squirrel. In some areas of the east this species can be quite striking and colorful.
Fox Squirrel Information:
- Appearance: Fox squirrels (Sciurus niger) are known for their distinctive appearance. They are the largest species of tree squirrels found in North America. They have a relatively long, bushy tail that helps them maintain balance while climbing trees. Their fur coloration can vary greatly, but they often have a reddish or rusty orange color on their back, hence their name “fox” squirrels.
- Range: Fox squirrels are primarily found in North America, ranging from the eastern United States to parts of the central and western regions, including parts of Canada and Mexico. They have been introduced to other areas, such as the United Kingdom and Italy.
- Arboreal Acrobats: Fox squirrels are highly skilled climbers and spend most of their lives in trees. They have strong hind legs and sharp claws that allow them to easily navigate tree branches. They are known for their agility and can leap between trees with ease.
- Omnivorous Diet: While most squirrels primarily feed on nuts and seeds, fox squirrels have a more varied diet. They are considered omnivorous and eat a wide range of food items including acorns, nuts, fruits, berries, fungi, insects, bird eggs, and even small vertebrates like young birds and mice. This adaptable diet helps them thrive in various habitats.
- Caching Behavior: Fox squirrels are known for their caching behavior. They collect and store food in numerous locations called caches, which they use as a food reserve during winter or times of scarcity. They have an excellent spatial memory and can remember the locations of hundreds of caches.
- Vocalizations: Fox squirrels communicate through various vocalizations. They use high-pitched calls and chatters to alert others of potential danger or to communicate territorial boundaries. Males also make a “mating call” during the breeding season to attract females.
- Nests: Fox squirrels build nests called dreys, typically constructed high in tree branches. Dreys are made from leaves, twigs, and other materials, providing shelter and protection for the squirrels and their young. They may also use tree cavities or abandoned bird nests as their nesting sites.
- Diurnal Activity: Fox squirrels are diurnal creatures, which means they are primarily active during daylight hours. They rest and sleep in their nests during the night and become active shortly after sunrise.
- Lifespan: The average lifespan of a fox squirrel in the wild is around 6 to 7 years. However, some individuals have been known to live up to 12 years in favorable conditions with minimal threats.
- Interaction with Humans: Fox squirrels are generally tolerant of human presence and can be found in urban and suburban areas. They may occasionally cause minor damage by gnawing on wooden structures or raiding bird feeders, but they also serve as seed dispersers, helping with forest regeneration.
These unique characteristics make fox squirrels fascinating creatures and an important part of the ecosystems they inhabit.
I liked this Fox Squirrel’s pose and curious demeanor and I very much enjoyed photographing it from the comfort of Steve’s deck with a cup of coffee at hand.
Life is good.
Mia
Click here to see more of my mammal images. I will be adding more Fox Squirrels to my gallery as time allows.
This handsome fellow looks like he’s asking his girlfriend to the prom. Love the detail and the colors you captured. And the eye contact is extraordinary. Thanks Mia.
He is a beauty – and looks to me as if he is beating on his chest.
Cute photo, he looks like he is still young. I had 9 young squirrels in my yard at my feeders this spring. I am seeing less, perhaps they moved away from home. I had to laugh about the caching and seed planting part. A year ago I brought home two, five gallon buckets of walnuts and acorns from my parents yard. My dad picks them up so the lawn mower doesn’t hit them. The squirrels in my yard empty the bucks is one day! The next spring I had a forest of new trees growing all over my yard.
This squirrel was posing for you!! Ready for my close up! LOL So sweet!
Really lovely pose. Reminds me of the abandoned infant squirrel my youngest sister found and raised (“Sidney”). Even after he had grown up and gone off to Squirrel World, he would hop back to us for a visit every few months.—Jeri
You’ve perfectly captured the inquisitive nature of these little beasties. I raised one from an orphaned babyhood and it lived with us for years. Believe me, there are stories: most especially the one about the day it found the fermented mesquite beans in a closet and we learned it could be a mean drunk. Now, every time I see a good portrait of one, I miss him all over again!