The largest species of tree squirrel native to North America, and it’s hard to miss once you’ve spotted one. With their bushy tails, strong limbs, and striking color variations ranging from rusty orange to gray or even black, fox squirrels are eye-catching and adaptable. They get their name not because they are related to foxes, but because of their reddish fur, which resembles a fox’s coat in some regions. They are skilled climbers, but unlike some other squirrels, they are just as comfortable foraging on the ground, giving them a broader range of habitats to thrive.

One of the fox squirrel’s most distinct characteristics is its adaptability. While they prefer open woodlands with scattered trees, they are also common in city parks, suburban neighborhoods, and farmland edges. Their diet reflects this flexibility. They feed on acorns, walnuts, pecans, seeds, fruits, fungi, and occasionally insects. Fox squirrels are also famous for their scatter-hoarding behavior, burying nuts in multiple spots to save for later. Interestingly, they don’t always remember where they hid everything, which turns them into accidental tree planters—helping forests regenerate one forgotten nut at a time. Their chewing is so powerful that they can break through the toughest nutshells, and their strong jaw muscles give them one of the most impressive bite forces among rodents their size.

Behaviorally, fox squirrels are generally solitary animals, though they may share feeding grounds when food is plentiful. They build nests high in trees, called dreys, woven out of twigs and leaves. They may also use tree cavities in colder months for extra warmth and protection. Unlike some rodents, fox squirrels do not hibernate; instead, they remain active year-round, though they may spend extra time resting during severe weather. They also rely heavily on their keen senses: excellent vision, sharp hearing, and a strong sense of smell, which helps them detect hidden food caches even under snow.

Distribution

Country

Population est.

Status

Year

Comments

Canada

2016

Introduced: Ontario, British Columbia

Mexico

2016

Coahuila

United States

Official estimate

EX

Extinct locally: New Jersey, Connecticut

United States

2016