The
Delmarva fox squirrel was listed as an endangered species by the Fish
& Wildlife Service in 1967, but can still be found on Assateague
Island. Visitors encounter Delmarva fox squirrels and gray squirrels
in the loblolly pine tree forest of Assateague. The Delmarva fox squirrel
weighs up to three pounds and is larger than a gray squirrel. Their
diet usually includes roots, insects, tree buds, mast, pine seeds,
and bird eggs.
Female
fox squirrels usually produce their first litter at 1 year of age
and normally have two litters a year (each litter size is usually
three). They prefer to use tree dens while raising their young, but
will also use leafnests. The Delmarva fox squirrel can live to be
6 years old in the wild. Serious threats are posed from timber harvest
and increased residential development
Other
interesting facts:
-
The Delmarva fox squirrel can use its bushy tail as a blanket to wrap
around itself during cold weather at Assateague.
-
Over 300 kinds of squirrels exist worldwide. Many are found on every
continent except Antarctica and Australia.
