Page 50 - 2021 JAN/FEB Outdoor Oklahoma Magazine

By Justin Veach, Education Intern

O K L A H O M A’ S
Watchable Wildlife

THE FOX SQUIRREL
BY J USTI N V EACH, EDUCATION I N TERN

The Eastern fox squirrel (Sciurus niger) is the largest of for themselves after 16 weeks. Females can start to mate
the tree squirrels, with a body length of 17 to 27 inches and after a year.
a tail length of 7 to 13 inches. These rodents weigh from 1 The maximum life expectancy for Eastern fox squirrels
to 3 pounds. Their native range is throughout the United is 12 years, but the mortality rate before adulthood is high
States and Canada. in the wild.
The fox squirrel gets its name from its yellowish-red Fox squirrels have very flexible ankle joints, allow-
coloration that closely resembles that of a fox. The animal’s ing them to rotate their feet 180 degrees to help them
hair is burnt orange or grizzled brown on the extremi- climb down trees. They also are very skilled at jumping.
ties and gray on the back. They can jump 15 feet in
An interesting fact is that
Fox squirrels prefer habitat horizontal leaps and have
with open forests and lit- been observed free falling
fox squirrels have four
tle understory vegetation. as much as 20 feet to land
long front teeth that never
During summer, they are on a limb.
more likely to live in leaf An interesting fact is
stop growing. So, to keep
dens, which are just a plat- that fox squirrels have four
these teeth filed down, they
form of sticks high up in long front teeth that never
trees. During winter, they stop growing. So, to keep
have to continuously find
will live in hollowed-out these teeth filed down, they
something to gnaw on.
tree dens. They build dens have to continuously find
about 30 feet aboveground something to gnaw on.
in deciduous trees. These animals prefer to live alone, but Fox squirrels and Eastern gray squirrels are important
cohabitation is not uncommon in their nests, which are used small game animals in Oklahoma. Gray squirrels are found
mainly as shelters and places to raise offspring. in the eastern parts of Oklahoma, while fox squirrels can
Eastern fox squirrels communicate with scents and vocal- be found throughout the state except for the far western
izations. They use a wide variety of barks as well as chattering Panhandle.
and will sound a warning signal when danger approaches. Traditionally, many youngsters are introduced to hunt-
Eastern fox squirrels are omnivores; their diet includes ing with trips into the woods in pursuit of squirrels. Hunt-
acorns, hickory nuts, insects, berries, seeds and bark. ing season runs annually from May 15 to Jan. 31. The
Fox squirrels mate in December or early January and current daily limit is 25 fox or gray squirrels combined.
again in June, producing two litters a year. Gestation lasts Not only do squirrels provide great hunting opportu-
about 45 days with an average litter size of three. The pups nities, but they also make fine table fare. Fried squirrel
are born blind and without fur. They won’t open their eyes with gravy, squirrel stew, and squirrel and dumplings are
until around four weeks old. The young are able to care time-honored favorites.

48 WATCHABLE WILDLIFE

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