Fox Squirrel
Scientific Name: Sciurus niger niger & Sciurus niger vulpinus
Classification: Game
Abundance: Locally common (found in blue counties)
Appearance
- The largest squirrel in North Carolina and twice the size of the gray squirrel.
- Variety of fur colors: grayish with patches of black on the head and white patches on the nose, paws, and ear tips. They can also be almost totally black with gray patches or reddish, rust, or grizzled color.
Diet
- Fox squirrels consume pine seeds, acorns, hickory nuts, flowers and buds, fruit, fungi, insects, and occasionally bird eggs.
Habitats and Habits
- Found across the state, in a variety of habitats, but prefer open, mature pine-oak forests.
- Tree cavity nests are important for raising young and protection from the weather. Nests are in old, large hardwood trees, longleaf pines, or dead standing trees.
- Fox squirrels are diurnal and active for 8 to 14 hours.
Regulations
The fox squirrel is a game species with a hunting season and bag limits.