For most Monroe Countians, whenever the subject of squirrels finds its way into a conversation, gray squirrels immediately come to mind. This is understandable since it is the squirrel most commonly seen throughout the county. This is the squirrel that regularly raids our bird feeders, attacks our tomatoes and harvests its share of pecans.
However, Monroe County is also home to the largest tree squirrel in North America. Of course, I am referring to the fox squirrel.
It is easy to tell the two squirrels apart. The fox squirrel is 20 percent larger than the gray squirrel. It can weigh in at as much as three pounds or more, measure up to 27.5 inches long (body length) and sport a bushy tail that can be as much 13 inches in length.
This super-sized squirrel comes in three color phases that have so many variations that folks often say no two look alike. Through Colorado, east Texas, and the Dakotas most fox squirrels sport gray backs and bright rust-colored hair on their undersides. In the Northeast, the majority of them are gray with yellow bellies. Here in Georgia as well as throughout the rest of the Southeast, we see more predominantly black squirrels with white-tipped tails, and white blazes on their faces than anywhere else in the country.
We call this mammal the fox squirrel because its coat resembles the red and gray coat of our native gray fox. In some sections of the country, it goes by the name of the raccoon or monkey-faced squirrel.
One thing that separates the fox squirrel form the gray squirrel is that its teeth, bones and flesh shine pink when viewed under ultraviolet light. This trait is so extremely rare in mammals that researchers use it to identify the remains of fox squirrels in archaeological sites in Florida.
One of the main reasons we see far more gray squirrels locally than fox squirrels is because our forested lands are better suited to gray squirrels than they are for the larger fox squirrel. Gray squirrels are at home in urban and suburban landscapes as well as mature upland and bottomland forests. They are also at home in mixed pine/hardwoods forests.
In comparison, fox squirrels prefer mature pine and mixed pine/hardwood forests with open understories and ground cover. Such areas are becoming increasing hard to find in Monroe County.
A key component of their preferred habitat is the presence of tall trees that harbor cavities. These dens (called dreys) are used to raise young as a well provide shelter against the elements. When cavities are unavailable, they will build leaf nests.
The fox squirrel has a varied diet. It dines on a variety of foods ranging from an occasional bird egg to frogs, insects and dead fish. It also includes, but is not limited to, acorns, hickory nuts, beech seeds, tree buds, fruits, the flowers on trees and the inner bark of trees, mulberries, hawthorn seeds, and green pine cones.
Like gray squirrels, they will cache food. By so doing, the fox squirrel inadvertently helps plant trees and other forest plants.
The fox squirrel spends a lot of time on the ground within a home range, which can vary from 10 to 50 acres in size. The female fox squirrel inhabits smaller home ranges than the male.
Interestingly, since the fox squirrel sweats through the bottom of its feet, during hot weather it will sometimes leave wet tracks on rocks and other smooth surfaces.
When a fox squirrel senses a predator poses a threat, it will stand up, rapidly shake its tail and let out a scream.
Whenever I encounter fox squirrels, I am left with the impression that they are not very athletic. Instead of rapidly scampering off like a gray squirrel, fox squirrels often retreat at a far more leisurely pace. However, when pressed it can run at a speed of up to 20 mph and leap as high as eight feet.
It is also capable of leaping from a tall tree and free falling at least 20 feet and landing on a nearby tree.
In addition, one observer watched a fox squirrel fall out of a tree some 100 feet up, hit the ground, and scamper off without any apparent injury.
When you stop and think about it, the fox squirrel is indeed an impressive animal. I guess because most Monroe Countians rarely see one we don’t really get a chance to see how special this animal is. This realization was brought home to me some 25 years ago by the comments made by an English woman that was visiting the United States with her husband. By chance, they stopped by the Nongame Office located on the Rum Creek Wildlife Management to get directions to The Fried Green Tomato Restaurant. Before they found their way to Monroe County, they had visited the everglades to see alligators and wading birds. They had explored the Okefenokee Swamp and visited a number of historic spots along the way.
To make a long story short, while talking with them I learned they enjoyed wildlife watching. This prompted me to ask if they would like me to take them on a brief tour of the Rum Creek Wildlife Management Area. They accepted my invitation and off we went. As we drove along I pointed out various birds and a white-tailed deer leaped across the road in front of us. As luck would have it, we happened across a fox squirrel standing upright on the grassy shoulder of the road. After watching the squirrel for several minutes, the woman said seeing the fox squirrel was the highlight of their trip.
I cannot help but recall her statement whenever I spot a fox squirrel. Her comment has caused me to give each fox squirrel more than a passing glance. Now some 100 seasons later, I am convinced more than ever before that the fox squirrel is truly an impressive animal.
Terry Johnson is retired Program Manager of the Georgia Nongame-Endangered Wildlife Program. He has written the informative column ‘Monroe Outdoors’ for the Reporter for many years. His book, “A Journey to Discovery,” is available at The Reporter. Email him at tjwoodduck@bellsouth.net.
