Fox Squirrels

Squirrels have always been a common yard mammal at Blue Jay Barrens.  Gray Squirrels normally dominate, but during the past year, Fox Squirrels have risen to be masters of the open spaces.

The Fox Squirrel, shown at left in the photo above, is a slightly larger version of the well known Gray Squirrel.  The most noticeable difference is in the coloration.  Fox Squirrels display an abundance of rusty red colored hair on the face, legs, belly and especially on the tail.  Both species have similar dietary preferences, so are often attracted to backyard feeders.

Fox Squirrels prefer a more open habitat than do the Gray Squirrels.  They will often leave the shelter of a tree to forage far out into an open field.  They are also not as ambitious as the Gray Squirrel when it comes to accessing a food source.  While a Gray Squirrel will make every effort to reach a feeder full of delectable food items, the Fox Squirrel is content to stay on the ground and take whatever comes its way.

In fact, Fox Squirrels often appear to be downright lazy.  Why bother holding up your body when you can stretch out and take it easy?

A prone position certainly keeps the food close to the mouth.

When the temperature begins to rise, take advantage of any available cooling shade.  The feeder casts a perfect squirrel sized shadow.

With a little care you can stretch out and still avoid the heat.

On a really hot afternoon, a nice shady perch above the water pan may be a prime location.

When the air begins to cool in the evening, it’s time to retire to the cavity exposed at the top of the dead tree stump.  The Fox Squirrel is an excellent example of how to avoid the ill effects of a hot summer day.  The size of mammal populations is always changing.  It’s best to enjoy those animals that suddenly appear in abundance.  You never know how long they are going to stay or what may one day take their place.

Squirrels

The size of the squirrel population at Blue Jay Barrens is constantly changing.  Squirrel numbers may plunge to the point of non-existence and within a couple of years be back to the point where we’re seemingly over run.  Eastern Gray Squirrels are by far the most numerous in any given year.  We have both a woodland population and a yard troupe.

The yard contains many natural food items, but the squirrels typically supplement their diet by visiting the bird feeders.  The basic route to the food begins at the fork in the dead tree …

… and ends in the feeder.  Some individuals have mastered the jump to the point that they land face first in the sunflower seed.

Except for the more assertive species, most birds wait nearby as the squirrels feed.

Eastern Fox Squirrels are rather plentiful this year.  They normally avoid the feeder and take their food from the ground.  This one looked as though it was preparing to jump, but it never made a try. 

Eventually, it worked its way so far down the tree trunk that a try at the feeder was no longer an option. 

I was surprised to find a Fox Squirrel in the middle of the woods with a mouth full of nesting material.  The blurry photo is a result of my habit of taking a quick shot the instant I spot a subject.  I’ll then take the time to focus properly and try for a good shot.  In this case, the squirrel dropped the nest material immediately after I took the photo.  I figure an out-of-focus shot is better than no shot at all.

The Fox Squirrel is normally found in more open country.  Of course, the habitat is so fragmented around here that open ground is not too far away.  I suppose the squirrel should know better than I what its habitat requirements are.