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Fox squirrel

Sciurus niger · Squirrels · Small game

Fox squirrel (Sciurus niger): Heavy-bodied tree squirrel, 19-29 in and 1-3 lb, larger than the gray squirrel. Back and sides reddish yellow mixed with gray; belly and tail fringe reddish yellow to orange. This profile does not establish whether taking it is legal anywhere.

Check rules for a place and dateOpen the fox squirrel map

Certified rules currently represented in Hunt: Iowa. This is coverage, not a legal answer.

Fox squirrel on top of a wooden fence
Photo by Ray Shrewsberry on Unsplash
Scientific name
Sciurus niger
Family
Sciuridae
Range
Eastern and central United States, north into Canada and south into northern Mexico; introduced into urban areas of western North America.
Biology

How to identify it

Heavy-bodied tree squirrel, 19-29 in and 1-3 lb, larger than the gray squirrel. [1][2]

Back and sides reddish yellow mixed with gray; belly and tail fringe reddish yellow to orange. [1][2]

Black individuals occur, notably in some southeastern populations. [1][2]

Ear tufts often develop in winter. [1][2]

Compared with the eastern gray squirrel: Gray squirrel is slimmer and smaller with a gray back and white belly and tail fringe. [1][2]

Species it is confused with

Check these before deciding what you are looking at. If you are not certain what it is, do not shoot.

Field notes

  • Identification Do not identify Fox squirrel from colour alone. Compare structure, size, range and the listed similar species before making a field decision.[1][2]
Field knowledge

Where it lives

Deciduous and mixed forest with varied mast trees, often on ridges, farm woodlots, timbered fence rows and hedgerows in prairie country, and towns with large oaks and hickories. [1][2]

Field knowledge

How it behaves

Active by day and mostly in trees; generally solitary except during mating chases. [1][2]

Barks and chatters; threatens with an upright stance and tail flicks. [1][2]

Prefers acorns, hickory nuts, walnuts, mulberry and hawthorn seeds, and scatter-caches nuts for winter. [1][2]

Nests in tree cavities or bulky leaf nests averaging about 40 ft up. [1][2]

Regulatory handoff

Where it is listed for legal take

These authorities list this species for legal take in their own regulations.

Where legal take is listed

Being listed is not an open season. Seasons, zones, licences, methods and limits decide whether this animal may be taken on a given day and place — check Hunt or the authority before you go. Listings read 2026-09-30.

Geospatial intelligence

Where it is found

Eastern and central United States, north into Canada and south into northern Mexico; introduced into urban areas of western North America.

Biology

Sources

Every claim above is attributed to one of these published sources.

  1. Missouri Department of Conservation · reviewed 2026-09-30

    Missouri Department of Conservation

  2. Animal Diversity Web, University of Michigan Museum of Zoology · reviewed 2026-09-30

    Animal Diversity Web, University of Michigan Museum of Zoology