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Eastern Fox Squirrel
Sciurus niger
{Species
Archive Index}
photo by © Lee County, School Dist. Env. Education Dept.
Body- gray to black, black head, white mask
Tail Description- large, bushy, white tip
Other Characteristics- largest tree squirrel
Status- most Florida (listed species), absent Keys
Big Cypress/Everglades, S FL. sub species (Threatened)
Sherman's, NE/Central FL. sub species (Special Concern)
Reproduction- 2-4 young, 2 litters/year, tree leaf nest
Distribution-eastern U.S.A.
Habitat- mixed forest, hammocks, pine flatwoods
Diet- fruit, nuts, fungi, bulbs, insects, eggs
Call- barks, chatters
Sign- debris near feeding perch
Fun facts
- threaten enemies away with raised tail flicking
- communicate with scent markings
- buries larges numbers of nuts, finds buried food cache by smell
- "tree planter", unrecovered food caches become new trees
{Species
Archive Index} |
