# Eastern Fox Squirrel (*Sciurus niger*) The Eastern Fox Squirrel is a large, bushy-tailed squirrel found in many areas. They are known for their playful nature and love to climb trees and gather nuts. - **Category:** [Mammals](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/mammal) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Snaps:** 125 - **Habitat:** Forests - **Also known as:** Fox Squirrel ![Eastern Fox Squirrel](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Sciurus_niger_%28on_fence%29.jpg&width=800) Photo: Markus Krötzsch, CC BY-SA 3.0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Sciurus_niger_%28on_fence%29.jpg) ## Appearance The Eastern Fox Squirrel is the largest tree squirrel in North America, boasting a stocky body and a long, bushy tail. Its fur color is highly variable, ranging from grizzled gray to reddish-brown, often with a distinctive rust-colored or orange underside. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Chordata - **Class:** Mammalia - **Order:** Rodentia - **Family:** Sciuridae - **Genus:** Sciurus ## Interesting facts - Eastern Fox Squirrels can live up to 18 years, often outliving many smaller rodents! - Fox squirrels fake burying nuts to trick other animals! - Their bushy tail acts like a parachute to help them glide during long leaps! - Their super strong front teeth never stop growing, so they must chew constantly! ## Special abilities - **Memory Master:** Eastern Fox Squirrels can remember thousands of buried nut locations because their excellent spatial memory helps them find food later. - **Agile Acrobat:** Eastern Fox Squirrels can leap and climb with incredible agility because their strong claws and balanced tail help them navigate trees safely. - **Bushy Balancer:** Eastern Fox Squirrels use their large, bushy tail for balance while climbing and as a sunshade, helping them communicate warnings. ## Measurements & details - **Length:** 45-70 cm - **Weight:** 0.5-1.3 kg - **Lifespan:** 8-18 years - **Speed:** 24 km/h - **Litter Size:** 1-6 - **Gestation:** 44-45 days ## Diet & Feeding They love to eat nuts, seeds, and fruits, but also munch on fungi and insects. - **Primary Foods:** Acorns, Walnuts, Pecans, Berries, Tree buds, Fungi - **Foraging Method:** Foraging ## Ecological connections - **Depends on:** [White Oak](https://www.snappit.app/explore/white-oak) (*Quercus alba*) — Main food source (acorns). - **Depends on:** [Shagbark Hickory](https://www.snappit.app/explore/shagbark-hickory) (*Carya ovata*) — Provides nutritious nuts. - **Eaten by:** [Red-tailed Hawk](https://www.snappit.app/explore/red-tailed-hawk) (*Buteo jamaicensis*) — Common avian predator. - **Eaten by:** [Coyote](https://www.snappit.app/explore/coyote) (*Canis latrans*) — Ground predator in their habitat. ## Traits - [Furry](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/furry): Furry describes animals possessing a dense covering of soft hair or fur. - [Social](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/social): Social animals live in organized groups, cooperating for survival benefits such as foraging, defense, and raising offspring. - [Camouflaged](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/camouflaged): Camouflaged describes organisms that possess coloring or patterns that allow them to blend into their environment. - [Herbivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/herbivorous): This trait characterizes organisms whose diet consists entirely or primarily of plant material. - [Tool Use](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/tool-use): This trait describes organisms that manipulate external objects to achieve a specific goal. - [Forest](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/forest): Forest habitats are terrestrial environments dominated by dense tree cover, supporting a high diversity of plant and animal life. - [Diurnal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/diurnal): Diurnal animals are primarily active during daylight hours, typically resting or sleeping at night. - [Keystone Species](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/keystone-species): Describes a species whose presence and role have a disproportionately large effect on its environment. - [Speedster](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/speedster): This trait identifies organisms that exhibit exceptional swiftness in movement for hunting, escape, or travel. ## Collections - [Mammals](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/mammals) ## Safety **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low Watch squirrels from a distance and don't try to touch them, as they can be scared. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Eastern Fox Squirrel? Compare ears, muzzle, tail, feet and coat markings. Size is hard to judge without something nearby for scale, and young mammals may not have adult coloring yet. Mammal Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### How long is Eastern Fox Squirrel? 45-70 cm ### How much does Eastern Fox Squirrel weigh? 0.5-1.3 kg ### How long does Eastern Fox Squirrel live? 8-18 years ### How fast can Eastern Fox Squirrel move? 24 km/h ### What does Eastern Fox Squirrel eat? They love to eat nuts, seeds, and fruits, but also munch on fungi and insects. ### Where is Eastern Fox Squirrel usually found? Forests ### How does Eastern Fox Squirrel hunt? Foraging ## Where to spot - [Ambler Heights Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/ambler-heights-historic-district) — Ohio, US · Historic District - [Berry Botanic Garden](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/berry-botanic-garden) — Oregon, US · Botanical Garden - [Cedar Valley Arboretum & Botanic Gardens](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/cedar-valley-arboretum-and-botanic-gardens) — Iowa, US · Botanical Garden - [City Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/city-park) — Colorado, US · Park - [Cleveland Cultural Gardens](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/cleveland-cultural-gardens) — Ohio, US · Park - [Congress Avenue Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/congress-avenue-historic-district) — Texas, US · Historic District [View all places to see Eastern Fox Squirrel](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/eastern-fox-squirrel) ## More Mammals - [Eastern Cottontail](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-cottontail) (*Sylvilagus floridanus*) - [Eastern Chipmunk](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-chipmunk) (*Tamias striatus*) - [California Ground Squirrel](https://www.snappit.app/explore/california-ground-squirrel) (*Otospermophilus beecheyi*) - [Brown Rat](https://www.snappit.app/explore/brown-rat) (*Rattus norvegicus*) --- Source: [Eastern Fox Squirrel: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-fox-squirrel)