C-7 



2. Acquire untouched areas of Kentuck and Greenbriar Swamps 

 adjoining the Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge which contain good 

 squirrel habitat and possibly squirrels. Also try to investigate 

 and acquire habitat on LaTrappe Creek and Big Swamp. An attempt 

 should be made to acquire, (if not too late) the Wye Mills or Wye 

 Island land since this is proposed to be developed into five-acre 

 housing lots. 



3. L'Compte State Wildlife Management Area should be managed 

 specifically for squirrels, not for other species of game. 



4. Develop further research efforts into distribution, 

 behavior, limiting factors, and optimum habitat conditions for the 

 species. 



5. Breed in captivity if possible so as to have extra stock; 

 release into wild to restock good habitat. 



6. Public education to help people differentiate between Grey 

 and Fox Squirrels so that they will not hunt the wrong species, nor 

 molest them in other ways. 



Ecological Significance : 



1. A beautiful and unique mammal. 



2. Sport hunting, wildlife photography, nature viewing. 



3. Serves as prey species for several forms of predators 

 (owls, hawks, foxes, eagles, etc.) 



4. Squirrels plant seeds of mast trees and help forest 

 reproduction. 



5. The enzyme defect in the heme biosynthetic pathway is the 

 same in the Fox Squirrel Sciurus niger as in porphyric cattle and 

 human beings. Therefore, members of this species can provide a 

 small animal laboratory model for studies of congenital erythro- 

 poietic porphyria (a hereditary disease of humans and cattle) 

 associated with a similar partial deficiency of uroporphyrinogen III 

 cosynthetase (Levin and Flyger, 1971). 



