stripe on outer edge. Melanistic forms occur with 

 black both dorsally and ventrally. Pictures are in 

 Taylor (no date) and DFSRT (draft). 



RANGE 



The squirrel is presently restricted to local dis- 

 junct populations in portions of four eastern shore 

 counties of Maryland (Allen 1942;Masueti 1950; 

 Paradiso 1969; J. Taylor personal communication). 

 There is an introduced population on Chincoteague 

 National Wildlife Refuge, Virginia (lUCN 1972; 

 USFWS 1973). 



The species' former distribution included 

 southeastern Pennsylvania, eastern shore of Mary- 

 land and Delaware (Delmarva Peninsula), the 

 eastern shore of Virginia into Northampton Coun- 

 ty, and possibly southern New Jersey (Abbot 

 1830, Rhoads 1903, Poole 1932, 1944, Hall and 

 Kelson 1959). 



RANGE MAP 



Diagonal hatching on the following map de- 

 picts present range; shading indicates former 

 range (Taylor and Flyger 1973, DFSRT draft). 



STATES/COUNTIES 



Maryland: Dorchester, Kent, Queen Annes 



Virginia: 



Talbot. 

 Accomack. 



HABITAT 



The squirrel prefers mature mixed timber 

 with a minimum of undergrowth (Taylor and 

 Flyger 1973; Taylor 1976). It is thought to be 

 closely associated with stands of loblolly pine 

 [Pinus taeda) (lUCN 1972). However, others argue 

 that this may not be correct, because its former 

 distribution was north of the distribution of lob- 

 lolly pine (Taylor and Flyger 1973, Taylor 1976). 



It is often found in savanna areas, oak open- 

 ings and in narrow tree zones along rivers and 

 streams. It does occur sparingly in areas with dense 

 undergrowth, but is then forced to compete with 

 the gray squirrel. 



FOOD AND FORAGING BEHAVIOR 



A variety of large trees provide adequate mast 

 in fall. Trees utilized include oak, hickory, wal- 

 nut, and loblolly pine. In spring the squirrel con- 

 sumes buds and flowers of trees, fungi, insects, 

 fruits, seeds, and occasionally bird eggs and young 

 (Smith and Folmer 1972; DFSRT draft; Taylor no 

 date). 



They will consume a large vjuriety of agricul- 

 tural products such as corn, soybeans, or other 

 crops in fields and orchards. They are more ter- 

 restrial than the gray squirrel and will venture 

 farther into open fields. 



SHELTER REQUIREMENTS 



See nesting or bedding. 



NESTING OR BEDDING 



Tree dens and leaf nests are built with local 

 materials. They appear to use den nests in the win- 

 ter and leaf nests in the summer (G. \. Taylor per- 

 sonal communication). Paradiso (1969) states 

 that nests are placed near the tips of branches in 

 old pines, from 9 to 15 m above the ground. 



RITUAL REQUIREMENTS 



Not known. 



OTHER CRITICAL ENVIRONMENTAL 

 REQUIREMENTS 



In north central populations of Sciurus niger, 

 home ranges average about 4 ha. The seasonal 

 average for home range is approximately 16 

 ha (Allen 1943). They are not disturbed by hu- 

 man activity any more than gray squirrels, pro- 

 vided habitat is satisfactory (DFSRT draft). 



This species encounters potential competition 

 in areas of local sympatry with the gray squirrel 

 in suboptimal habitat. 



POPULATION NUMBERS AND TRENDS 



There are no estimates of the total number of 

 individuals. They are considered abundant only at 

 Eastern Neck Island National Wildlife Refuge, 

 Kent County, Maryland (DFSRT draft). Radio- 

 collaring projects are underway to provide infor- 

 mation on numbers. 



REPRODUCTION 



Fox squirrels are polygamous and after mat- 

 ing, the female raises the young alone. The breed- 

 ing season is extended, with peaks in February 

 and March, and in July and August (DFSRT 

 draft). Gestation period is 45 days (Asdell 1964). 

 Litter size is 2 to 4 with an average of 3 (lUCN 

 1972); 1 to 2 litters are produced per year. 

 The amount of food available seems to govern the 

 size as well as the number of litters (DFSRT 

 draft). Young are born naked. Eyes open at 5 

 weeks and young are weaned at 9 to 12 weeks. 



