Photo courtesy of Chris Lichowicz
The fox squirrel is a large tree dwelling squirrel with reddish underpants and rust or brown colored underparts. Its tail, a mixture of cinnamon and black hairs, is generally about half the length of its body.The fox squirrel sweats through its paws. During hot weather, it will actually leave damp tracks on a dry surface.
The fox squirrel sharpens its teeth by chewing through twigs. This accounts for many of the twigs you find on the ground under a healthy tree inhabited by a fox squirrel. The fox squirrel prefers to use a hollow tree as its den and for its nursery. When these upscale homes are not available, the squirrel will build a water proof nest interwoven from twigs and leaves. It then furnishes the interior of the nest with a soft lining made of leaves, fur, feathers, moss and similar materials.
A given fox squirrel can occupy an area from 10 to 40 acres in size. Because the ranges of individual fox squirrels overlap, they share their winter stores and sometimes recycle each other's nests.
Acorns make up the bulk of the fox squirrel's diet, but it will also eat insects, green shoots, fruits, seeds, certain flowers, and even frogs. Each fall, the fox squirrel buries a supply of acorns and nuts for the winter and then relocates them using its keen sense of smell.
That oak tree you see out your window may very well be the forgotten leftover of some long ago squirrel.
Baby squirrels sometimes fall out of a nest that has been damaged in a storm or by an aggressive male squirrel. The squirrel may not be an orphan at all, but may have just fallen from its nest. If one squirrel has fallen from a damaged nest, others may have fallen out as well. Search the immediate area. Look under bushes and fallen leaves where other babies may have taken cover. Spencer Nickle recommends that you warm the baby squirrel in your hands or by holding it close to your body and then place it at the base of the tree. Lock up any lose dogs and cats and keep watch, from a distance, for one to two hours. Given time, the mother will return and retrieve her baby. The scent of humans will not stop the mother from taking back her baby. If the weather is cold, line a box with some towels and a hot water bottle wrapped in a towel. Place the baby in the box and the box at the base of the tree.If the mother squirrel has not returned for her young within two hours, you probably do have an orphan on your hands. Contact a local wildlife reahibilitator for assistance. Our local baby squirrel rehabilitator is Elaine Kyle. You can reach Ms. Kyle at 281-592-8204 or e-mail her at pepk@earthlink.net .
Davis, William. The Mammals of Texas. Austin, Texas: Texas Parks and Wildlife Information-Education Division. 1974.Nordyke, Lewis. "Trooper of the Tree Tops." Reader's Digest Books. Marvels and Mysteries of Our Animal World. Pleasantville, New York: Coronet Books. 1964.
Fox Squirrel
Squirrel Wildlife Rehabilitation
Terry Portillo © 1999