Fox Squirrels
by Robert Bales
Title
Fox Squirrels
Artist
Robert Bales
Medium
Photograph - Photo
Description
We have many squirrels in Emmett, Idaho and these three seem like they are enjoying themselves in our back yard.
The fox squirrel's natural range extends throughout the eastern United States, excluding New England, north into the southern prairie provinces of Canada, and west ern part of the United States. They have been introduced to both California and the Pacific Northwest. While very versatile in their habitat choices, fox squirrels are most often found in forest patches of 40 hectares or less with an open understory, or in urban neighborhoods with trees. They thrive best among trees such as oak, hickory, walnut, and pine that produce winter-storable foods like nuts. Western range extensions in Great Plains regions such as Kansas are associated with riverine corridors of cottonwood. A subspecies native to several eastern US states is the Delmarva fox squirrel.
"Eastern Fox Squirrels have long, foxtail-like tails, which they flick when they are excited. They and Eastern Gray Squirrels are alike in many ways. They breed at the same time of year, nest in the same kind of places, and eat the same foods. However, Fox Squirrels prefer more open habitat, whereas Grays prefer good tree cover. Fox Squirrels spend more time foraging and running about on the ground than do the grays, and may be encountered in fields quite far from any trees, where gray squirrel would not stray. Both species feed on acorns, which are rich in tannins. Tannins are poisonous to many animals, including worms, and keep the squirrels free of roundworms and tapeworms. Fox Squirrels accumulate another chemical compound, porphyrin, in their bones and teeth, which makes their bones and teeth pink and bright red under ultraviolet light. Here's a mystery: Gray Squirrels eat the same foods and this does not happen to them nor to any other healthy mammal."
Uploaded
August 29th, 2016
Statistics
Viewed 2,068 Times - Last Visitor from Mount Laurel, NJ on 03/16/2024 at 4:59 PM
Embed
Share
Sales Sheet
Comments (19)
Marvin Blaine
So cute Robert! Love this capture of yours! Exceptional work! F!
Robert Bales replied:
Thanks so much, Marvin for the nice comments nd the F, My wife hand feeds many of them!!
Linda Phelps
F/L The composition and color tones in this image are delightful. These squirrels make their home in both our front and back yards here in Austin, Texas. They make their nests in our very large oak trees.
Robert Bales replied:
Thanks Linda!! No nest in our big Maple tree. but my wife sure like to feed them!! Thanks for the FL!!
Angeles M Pomata
Great shot, Robert. I love how the squirrels 'come out' from the background. Neat work! L/F
Johanna Hurmerinta
Fantastic capture, Robert! LF pinned.
Robert Bales replied:
Thanks Johanna for the very nice comment and the FLP!! It helps when the tree is in our backyard.