Eastern Fox Squirrel

Sciurus niger

Family: Sciuridae (Squirrels)

Eastern Gray SquirrelEastern Gray Squirrel (front view)

(Two views of the same individual Eastern Fox Squirrel, showing side and front coloration)

The most common squirrel on campus is the Eastern Fox Squirrel, not to be confused with the Western Gray Squirrel or the Eastern Gray Squirrel.  Both the Eastern Gray and Eastern Fox Squirrels are introduced species; both native to eastern North America.  The Western Gray Squirrel is more gray and has a longer tail.  The Eastern Fox Squirrel is much redder on the back and also has a longer tail.

The Eastern Fox Squirrels are common around many parts of campus, particularly where people sit and eat lunch. The squirrels have learned that brown paper bags mean food and they can be VERY bold in getting to the food, sometimes crawling right up your pant leg.  They are particularly abundant around Humboldt and Sequoia Halls in the pine trees.

Resources

Wikipedia