![]() ![]() Currently, subspecies occurring in the Appalachians and mid-west are stable and even abundant. In total there are 10 subspecies of fox squirrel, and 9 of which occur in the south. with a range covering as far north as Manitoba and Ontario, down south into Mexico, and also occupying much of the central U.S. ![]() You can also use our email stated above for any further questions about the project and fox squirrels.The fox squirrel ( Sciurus niger) is the largest species of tree squirrel native to the United States. If you would like to send us an observation you can email us at with the date, location, and picture or access our iNaturalist project site at. If you have recently seen a fox squirrel or if you would like more information, you can visit our study website at. Their body color can vary from silver, grey, or agouti with greyish, buff, or black characteristics. The southeastern fox squirrel differs from the eastern fox squirrel in that it contains black head markings or pelage on the body, as well as white or grey noses and white ears and feet. Eastern fox squirrels have light tan to cinnamon orange undersides and the tip of their tail is orange or black. Both fox squirrels are larger than grey squirrels with a rounder face. However, they do have distinguishing characteristics. Photo by Marissa Guill.ĭifferences between the eastern fox squirrel and the southeastern fox squirrel can be difficult to identify as southeastern fox squirrels often vary greatly in pelage and color. Therefore, any observations of fox squirrels in Virginia proves beneficial.Ī southeastern fox squirrel captured on a trail camera. Although this is our focus area, we are further trying to identify the overlap or separation of ranges between the eastern fox squirrel ( Sciurus niger vulpinus, commonly found in the Blue Ridge), versus the southeastern fox squirrel. We are specifically seeking observations from counties east of the Blue Ridge mountains, south of interstate 64, north of the North Carolina state line, and all the way east to the coast of Virginia (not including the Delmarva peninsula). We are currently seeking out volunteers and citizen scientists to help us collect sightings of fox squirrels across Virginia. Our goal is to better understand the distribution of fox squirrels in Virginia to reveal important habitat requirements and ecological specialization. At this moment, the southeastern fox squirrel holds an unknown distributional status in Virginia which could ultimately impact future management efforts. Regionally, formerly suitable habitat has been subjected to fragmentation and degradation of mixed pine-hardwood forests and bottomland hardwoods by conversion to agriculture and plantation forestry, as well as decades of fire suppression. However east of the Appalachians, particularly in the lower Piedmont and Coastal Plain, fox squirrels are rare and patchily distributed, especially the southeastern subspecies Sciurus niger niger, or the southeastern fox squirrel. In Virginia, fox squirrel populations are still present in the Delmarva Peninsula and west of the Piedmont into the Appalachians. The fox squirrel ( Sciurus niger) is the largest species of tree squirrel native to the United States. By Marissa Guill, graduate student, Department of Fish and Wildlife Conservation, Virginia Tech ![]()
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