Sciurus niger 61size: Both sexes—HB 260–370 mm; T 200–330 mm; Mass
507–1361 g.
distribution: This species can be found from Saskatche-
wan and Manitoba (Canada) south to Texas (USA) and adja-
cent México and east to t he At lantic coast. In addition, it has
been introduced to Ontario (Canada) and Washington, Or-
egon, California, Idaho, Montana, Colorado, Arizona, and
New Mexico (USA).
geographic variation: Ten subspecies are recognized.
S. n. niger—southeastern USA (North and South Carolina,
Georgia, and the panhandle of Florida). This is a highly
variable subspecies, with buff to gray to black forms; a
white snout, ears and feet; and (usually) a white to cream
venter.
S. n. avicennia—throughout the Everglades and Big Cypress
regions in the southern tip of Florida (USA). This is a
highly variable subspecies, ranging from dark brown to
tawny to cinnamon forms, with a white mask around the
snout and cheeks. The feet and ears are white.
S. n. bachmani—Mississippi and Alabama (USA). It is charac-
terized by a grizzled brown dorsum with an orangish
venter, and a black head with varying amounts of white
to buff on the ears and snout.
S. n. cinereus—Delmarva Peninsula, encompassing Dela-
ware and portions of Maryland and Virginia (USA), in
the extreme northeast part of the range. This endan-
gered subspecies is silver gray grizzled fi nely with black.
The venter is white to buff.
S. n. limitis—central Texas (USA) and northern México. This
is a modest-sized cinnamon form with a grizzled dorsum
and cinnamon below.
S. n. ludovicianus—eastern Texas and western Louisiana
(USA). This is a large subspecies, with a light reddish
tone to the dorsum and venter.
S. n. rufi venter—west of the Appalachian Mountains, from
Oklahoma, Arkansas, and Tennessee (USA) northward
to Saskatchewan and Manitoba (Canada). This is the
most common subspecies, characterized by an orange to
rust-colored venter.
S. n. shermani—northern and central peninsular Florida
(USA). The dorsum is nearly all black to silvery gray griz-
zled with black. The head is often black; the ears and
muzzle are often white. The venter is tawny. The tail is
the same color as the dorsum and frosted with white.
S. n. subauratus—western bank of the Mississippi River, ex-
tending from central Arkansas south to Louisiana (USA).
This is a smallish subspecies, with a rich dark reddish
color to the dorsum and venter.
S. n. vulpinus—eastern and southern Pennsylvania, West
Virginia, Maryland, and northern Virginia (USA). This
subspecies is a grayish form washed wit h orange reddish
on the dorsum, sides, limbs, and underside of the tail.
The venter is white to cream.conservation: IUCN status—least concern. Population
trend—stable. S. n. cinereus is listed as endangered in the
USA. There is a nonessential experimental population in
Sussex County, Delaware (USA). S. n. avicennia, S. n. cinereus,
S. n. shermani, and S. n. vulpinus are of special concern within
their distributions.habitat: Fox squirrels prefer open woodland habitats,
with scattered trees and an open understory. In the western
portion of the range, this includes riparian areas and fence-
rows. In the north and midwest, the habitat is open hard-
wood forests and savannas. In the southeast, this species’
habitat is pine (Pinus) woodlands, and even scattered
swamp-bound stands of bald cypress (Ta xo dium) and pine.natural history: This species is diurnal. Eastern fox
squirrels favor movement on the ground, but they will for-
age in the canopy throughout the year. Mating activity
peaks twice annually: November–February (with a Decem-
ber peak) and April–July (with a June peak). Males track the
females’ reproductive condition by following females and
sniffi ng their genitalia. Estrus lasts less than one day during
a breeding season. Males congregate at the nest of the female,