Delmarva Fox Squirrel
By: Sara Buckley
Delmarva Fox Squirrel
• Sciurus niger cinereus
• Steely grey with white belly
• Black edges on tail• Up to 30in long• Up to 3lbs
Habitat
• Mature forests• Hardwood and pine
mixtures• Closed canopy• Open understory• Decidious swamps
close to pine woodlands
Diet
• Nuts and seeds • Farm fields• Buds and flowers• Fungi• Insects• Fruit• Mature green pine
cones
Behaviour
• Quieter than Grey Squirrel
• Prefers open spaces• Traverses forest floor• Avoids confrontation• Active year round
Distribution
• Small isolated populations on Delmarva Penisula
• Average home range of 40 acres
Reproduction
• 44-45 day gestation• 1-7 kits per litter• Mating season- late
winter, early spring• Up to two litters a
year• Reaches sexual
maturity at one year• Likes to nest in hollow
trees
History
• Historically found from southern New Jersey to southeast Pennsylvania
• By early 1900s, only found in 4 counties in east Maryland
• Listed as endangered in 1967
• Given protection under Endangered Species Act
Status
• Federal- Endangered• Delaware-
Endangered• Sussex County, DE-
Experimental Population, Non-Essential
Cause for listing
• Deforestation• Agricultural
development• Timber industry• Forced to compete
with grey squirrels
Predators
• Humans• Red foxes• Minks• Weasels• Raptors• Dogs• Cats• Racoons• Opossums• Rat Snakes• Cars
Conservation
• Habitat protection began in 1945
• Hunting banned in 1971• Closely monitored
populations• Breed and release (11 of
16 successful)• Educate the public• Farmers leave uncut
crops for squirrels• Artificial den boxes
Impact if eliminated
• Loss of food source• Loss of seed
spreading
References
• http://www.raywilsonbirdphotography.co.uk/Galleries/Mammals/Delmarva%20Fox%20Squirrel.html
• http://www.wildlifeadvocacy.org/programs/fox_squirrel.html
• http://www.fs.fed.us/database/feis/animals/mammal/scni/all.html#21
• http://www.fws.gov/endangered/esa-library/pdf/squirrel.pdf
• http://ecos.fws.gov/roar/pub/planImplementationStatus.action?documentId=600097&entityId=10
• http://ecos.fws.gov/speciesProfile/profile/speciesProfile.action?spcode=A00B#lifeHistory
• http://www.chesapeakebay.net/fieldguide/critter/delmarva_fox_squirrel
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