Fox squirrels, known for their size and variable coloration, are common across much of North America. While the species is generally stable, their conservation status is not a simple yes or no, as it varies significantly by specific population or subspecies.
The Conservation Status of Fox Squirrels
The fox squirrel species (Sciurus niger) is generally not considered endangered throughout its extensive range. Global conservation assessments classify the species as “Least Concern,” indicating a stable overall population. For example, in Alabama, the species is listed as having “Low Conservation Concern,” reflecting its widespread presence.
Despite this overall stability, conservation status varies significantly among its numerous subspecies. Several populations have faced declines, leading to their classification as endangered or threatened at state or federal levels. This emphasizes the need to understand specific conservation needs beyond the species level.
The Delmarva fox squirrel (Sciurus niger cinereus) is a notable example, once federally listed as endangered. In 1967, it was placed on the U.S. Endangered Species List due to severe habitat loss and historical overhunting, with its population reduced to less than 10% of its original range. After decades of conservation efforts, it was successfully removed from the federal list in December 2015.
Other fox squirrel subspecies in Florida have also faced conservation challenges. The Big Cypress fox squirrel (Sciurus niger avicennia) is currently a state-threatened species due to habitat destruction and degradation. The Sherman’s fox squirrel (Sciurus niger shermani) was previously a species of special concern but was removed from the state’s endangered and threatened species list in 2018.
Understanding Fox Squirrel Populations
Fox squirrels thrive in environments providing ample food and shelter. They inhabit open woodlands, mature forests, and areas with scattered trees, preferring an open understory. These habitats often include mature pine and hardwood forests, offering denning sites and diverse food sources. They can also adapt to disturbed areas, hedgerows, and city parks.
Their diet is diverse, primarily consisting of nuts, seeds, buds, flowers, fruits, fungi, and insects. Fox squirrels play a role in forest ecology by dispersing seeds, often burying nuts and forgetting them, which allows new trees to grow. They primarily use tree hollows for dens, especially for raising young, but may also construct leaf nests in tree branches.
Despite their adaptability, fox squirrel populations face challenges that can lead to localized declines. Habitat loss and fragmentation are major threats, particularly in the southeastern United States, where development, timber harvesting, and agricultural expansion reduce suitable forested areas. This loss can isolate populations, making them more vulnerable.
Competition with other species, such as the gray squirrel, can impact fox squirrel numbers, especially in degraded habitats. Diseases, like Squirrel Poxvirus, have been identified as a threat to certain subspecies, such as the Big Cypress fox squirrel. Changes in natural processes, such as fire suppression, can also alter forest structures unfavorably for some subspecies.
Protecting Fox Squirrels and Their Habitats
Conservation efforts for fox squirrels focus on protecting and restoring their preferred habitats, especially for threatened subspecies. The Delmarva fox squirrel’s recovery exemplifies effective conservation strategies. A comprehensive recovery plan, initiated in 1979, emphasized habitat protection and reintroduction into suitable areas within its historical range.
Translocation programs were instrumental in the Delmarva fox squirrel’s rebound, establishing 11 new populations across 10 counties. These efforts involved collaboration among government agencies, state natural resource departments, and private landowners, who manage over 80% of the squirrel’s habitat. Land acquisition, such as the purchase of LeCompte Wildlife Management Area, also secured habitat for the subspecies.
Ongoing conservation work for other fox squirrel populations includes habitat management practices like prescribed burning, which benefits subspecies in fire-maintained pine forests. Public involvement, such as supporting conservation organizations and practicing responsible land stewardship, also contributes to their health. Continued research into specific habitat requirements and distribution helps inform conservation actions.