FOX SQUIRREL 



gray; spot back of ear yellowish brown; tail above black 

 fringed with white, hairs yellowish brown at base, below 

 light ochraceous, banded with black and fringed with white- 

 underparts white. Dorsal band of fulvous most prominent 

 in winter pelage and almost absent in summer. Total 

 length, 22 inches; tail vertebree, 12 inches; hind foot 29 

 inches. Found in Arizona and New Mexico ; limits of range 

 unknown. 

 Huachuca Gray Squirrel.— Sciurus arizonensis Jmachuca 

 Allen. 

 Resembling typical arizonensis but with less vellowish brown 

 on the dorsal region and on basal pelage" of tail. Total 

 length, 21 inches; tail vertebrce, 10 inches; hind foot, .3 

 inches. Found from the Huachuca Mountains of southern 

 Arizona south into Mexico. This Squirrel feeds upon wal- 

 nuts and may become so stained by walnut juice as to lose 

 the true color pattern on the hands, feet, and underparts. 



The Fox Squirrel is the largest of North American Tree 

 Squirrels and is also the most variable in color. Not only do 

 the various forms of Fox Squirrels differ noticeably from one 

 another, but individuals of the same subspecies show a wide 

 range of variation. The large size, heavy body, and rusty to 

 blackish coloration serve to distinguish these Squirrels from 

 their kin. 



Fox Squirrels are usually not as abundant as Gray Squirrels. 

 In many of the states the two occur together, but in no region 

 have the Fox Squirrels ever been noted in such numbers as 

 have been reported for the Grays in the areas of their greatest 

 abundance. 



Fox Squirrels spend a great deal of the time on the ground 

 searching for food, but are true Tree Squirrels, nevertheless, 

 and always seek refuge aloft when imminent danger threatens! 

 These Squirrels are not found away from trees. In the north 

 they live in the hardwoods and in the south they are found in 

 pine woods, live oaks or cypresses. They do not migrate like 

 the Grays and in many places are on the verge of extinction. 

 The Fox Squirrel is a favorite with the hunter both because 

 of its size and because it becomes fat in the fall. 



This Squirrel utters a hoarse bark and also has a chucking 

 call-note. It is active only by day and does not hibernate, 

 although remaining in a nest during severe cold or stormy 

 periods. It builds nests in hollows or cavities in the trees 

 and also constructs large nests of twigs, leaves, and bark in 



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