The Fox Squirrel
South Carolina’s diverse landscape provides a haven for a variety of fascinating creatures, and the fox squirrel is no exception. While often overshadowed by their gray cousins, these charismatic squirrels add a touch of russet charm to the Palmetto State’s woodlands.
A Splendid Sight:
The fox squirrel is a sight to behold. Larger than the common gray squirrel, it boasts a bushy tail and a coat that comes in various color phases. In South Carolina, you’ll most likely encounter the gray phase, but keep an eye out for the black and brown phases as well. All three share a distinctive feature – black and white patches adorning their nose, paws, and ears.
Finding their Footing:
Fox squirrels primarily call the Coastal Plain home, with their presence diminishing as you move towards the Piedmont and Blue Ridge regions. They favor mature pine forests, especially those dominated by longleaf pines, but can also be found in mixed stands of pines and hardwoods.
A Life in the Trees:
These agile climbers spend most of their time amongst the branches, meticulously searching for food. Their diet is an opportunistic one, consisting mainly of nuts, seeds, and fruits. But don’t be surprised if you see them munching on insects, flowers, or even the occasional bird egg.
Living in Harmony:
While fox squirrels were once hunted, their populations have stabilized thanks to conservation efforts. Today, they share the South Carolina landscape with us, adding a touch of wildlife to our parks, forests, and even backyards.
So, the next time you’re exploring the outdoors, keep an eye out for these magnificent creatures. With a little patience, you might just catch a glimpse of the elusive fox squirrel, a true gem of the South Carolina wilderness.
If you live near to Parris island (the Marine base) near Beaufort, SC, there are quite a few fox squirrels on that island. I see them all the time while I’m driving to inform the Legends golf course on the back of the island.
Roger,
Thank you for reporting.
We played golf at Glenco in Brunswick Ga. Their were 2 resident fox squirrels at the course. 1 black shrouded and 1 red shrouded. Extremely freindly… if you put sunflower seeds on the ground…they would look at you like you were crazy. As if to say…I want them from your hand…not off the dirty ground. We enjoyed playing that course so much, because of the fantastic entertainment.
Melanie,
Thank you for sharing that sounds like a fun day, golf and squirrel feeding!
Just saw one at a golf course in Little River, South Carolina yesterday , pitch black was just the white on the nose and the ears!
Hi Dave,
If you ever are able to get a picture of the black squirrel we would love to see it.
I see a black one , really bushy tail with a white nose in my yard. He goes to the bird feeder. I am in Conway SC in an area of pine trees.
Hi Evelyn, we would love to see a picture of your black squirrel.
-Squirrelly
We live in San Antonio Texas and this beautiful squirrel showed up at my job. He is much larger than the normal reddish brown squirrels we see all the time. He’s got a black head and going down his body, then he gets grayish and has a bushy black and tan spotted tail.
Cassie,
He sounds beautiful.
-Squirrely
We have what looks to be a melanistic fox squirrel living in the tall pine trees around our house. She feeds directly from my hand, sometimes jumps right up on my lap! She is very gentle and visits almost daily here in North York, Ontario (Toronto). She prefers walnuts, but also eats pecans, cashews, Brazil nuts, hazel nuts, almonds, strawberries, cherries, grapes, apples and carrots. How do I send you a picture?
You can post it on our Facebook page or send to whitesquirrelinstitute@gmail.com. Thank you.
Yes I got one been coming back now for two weeks in Sioux falls SD
Would love to see a picture.
We have them here in middle Tennessee.
There are black and gray brown ones on Daufuski Island too.
Any White Squirrels?
Saw one today in Naples FL today. So cute and charming!
Thank you for reporting your white squirrel sighting.
All the best,
-WSI
Watch one every morning scampering around in a tall pine tree from my balcony at Indigo Pines! Appears to be brown with a huge fluffy tail!
-Squirrelly
Eileen, thank you for reporting your sighting. What state are you located in?
-Squirrelly
I live in NJ and I have one. Initially thought it was a black squirrel, (which are local). As it aged the red-brown began to show.
Thank you for letting us know.
Oh wow! That’s great! Didn’t know we had them in NJ.