Trending
Looking out my window at my bird feeder, it appeared to be sporting a fur coat from top to bottom. On further inspection, the Eastern fox squirrel (Scirus niger) was hanging upside down, enjoying the black oil sunflower seeds I had for the birds.
Always ready to take advantage of every opportunity for a snack, this medium-sized rodent is only one to four pounds and 18 to 24 inches long, including the bushy 8-to-10-inch tail.
The fox squirrel's fur can vary from gray to brown with lighter belly fur. Primarily found in eastern and central United States, they are one of the most recognizable mammals, climbing both up and down trees in forests and neighborhoods and scampering around our yards in search of either food or a mate.
Mating takes place anytime during the year, but most mating occurs twice, from December to February, and May to June. Males compete for mating rights and are mature enough for mating at 10 to 11 months old. Females, who mate with more than one male, can reproduce as early as 6 months.
Dreys, or nests, can be found in tall hardwood trees with cavities, or built high in the tree canopy with leaves, twigs and grass surrounding the forks of branches securely.
Unseen in summer but obvious when the leaves have fallen, dreys are noticed easily in treetops.
After approximately 44 days, a litter of one to six kits are born, with an average of three per litter.
Born without fur, they develop fur in 14 days and open their eyes at 30 days. After seven to eight weeks, they begin to move away from the nest but stay close to their parents, becoming independent at three months, possibly living 10 years in the wild.
This intelligent omnivore eats a variety of seeds, fruit, insects, nuts and animal remains. Large, strong incisors give them the ability to chew through the tough outer shells of hard nuts.
Hiding small amounts of food, called scatter hording, is common, and they later find their buried food by both memory and scent.
Often, they will bury seeds and forget them, to only be discovered by us in our gardens or planters.
Middens, or piles of seeds, leaves and bones can frequently be found at tree trunks or under bushes to be consumed later.
Overhunting and forest destruction can lead to low populations, yet the fox squirrel has a stable population. Hawks and owls prey upon adult squirrels and snakes have been known to eat kits in the nest. Because of their ability to quickly run, jump and climb, they are not easy prey.
Considering their agility, a squirrel's tail is essential for balance. Overhead wires are no problem for them and sharp claws give them the ability to either climb up or down tree trunks, along with hopping from branch to branch.
Because they consume many seeds, they play a significant role in forest reproduction; however, they are known for debarking or stripping bark and chewing off twig tips.
Although unknown why, they may be feeding on the sugar rich phloem for extra calories and gnawing keeps their incisors from overgrowth.
For photos and more, go to http://go.osu.edu/squirrel.
Kane Shipka is an Ohio State University Extension Master Gardener Volunteer in Mahoning County and an Ohio Certified Volunteer Naturalist.