20 RODENTS OP IOWA 



This is a very variable form and one for which a single descrip- 

 tion will not fit every specimen. Some individuals are entirely 

 black, while others present a mixture of rufous and tawny with 

 all sorts of intermediate variation. Usually, however, the color 

 above is tawny gray-brown with yellow or pale orange below ; the 

 hairs of the tail are rufous more or less mixed with black, usually 

 tawny or rufous at the tips and with the under surface bright 

 ferruginous. The gray squirrel is the only other Iowa form which 

 is likely to be mistaken for the present species, which may at once 

 be distinguished from that form by the tawny or rufous tips to 

 the hairs on the tail and- the presence of but four teeth of the molar 

 series on each side of both jaws. In addition, the gray squirrel 

 averages about three to four inches smaller than the present species. 



Habits, Distribution, Etc. This the largest of our arboreal squir- 

 rels inhabits the more or less heavily timbered districts of the state 

 and is much less often found in open ground. It has become abun- 

 dant in many of our parks and even on the lawns in cities, where 

 its antics afford interesting diversion for many people. It is a 

 more solitary species than the gray squirrel, and seldom are more 

 than two adults found living together. Usually in the summer and ; 

 fall the old males go about by themselves. The fox squirrel often 

 builds several nests, usually in tall trees but in some cases not 

 more than fifteen to twenty feet from the ground. These nests 

 are composed of leaves and sticks placed in the fork of the tree. 

 The nest materials are usually cut from the tree in which the nest ; 

 is made, although adjoining trees may be visited for the securing 

 of this material. After the young are able to shift for themselves 

 they either leave the nest of their own accord or are driven away 

 by the mother, and for a time lead more or less of a wanderer's 

 existence, building nests for themselves as the occasion arises and 

 perhaps abandoning them again in a short time. Sometimes the; 

 fox squirrel chooses a hollow tree as an abode - ; but it does not re- 

 quire such a domicile in Avhich to rear its young, as the author has | 

 personal knowledge of young being reared in nests composed of 

 leaves and twigs. Usually two or three young are produced at one 

 birth although the number varies from one to five. The young are i 

 born blind and naked and do not assume a squirrel-like appearance 

 until about three weeks old. It seems probable that in some in- 

 stances two litters are brought forth in a season. 



