Species MammalsFox Squirrel

Fox Squirrel

Sciurus niger

CommonMammal
Illustration of Fox Squirrel (Sciurus niger)

The Fox Squirrel is the largest tree squirrel in North America, showing remarkable color variation from gray-and-black in the Deep South to rusty orange in the Midwest. It prefers open, parklike woodlands with a sparse understory over dense forest, making it a common sight in suburban parks and golf courses. Fox squirrels are scatter-hoarders, burying thousands of nuts individually each autumn.

Habitat
Open woodlands, forest edges, and suburban parks
Diet
Acorns, hickory nuts, corn, fungi, and insects
How common
Common

Best time to see a Fox Squirrel

The best time to see a Fox Squirrel is December–May, when about 60% of U.S. sightings happen, based on 157,290 research-grade iNaturalist observations.

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Recent Fox Squirrel sightings near you

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