The Natural History of the Fox Squirrel, Sciurus niger shermani

Abstract

The fox squirrel, because of its abundance, ease of observation, importance as a game animal and general biological significance, has been a favorite subject of many investigators. No detailed study, however, has been made of the ecology of this large race of the southeastern coastal plain and the reader will learn that in several particulars this Florida population differs markedly from its counterparts elsewhere. This is a shy, rare creature of the northern Florida sand hills. Its foods are largely pine seeds and acorns; its chief enemies are the bald eagle, the red-tailed hawk and, particularly, man and his dog. Its original home, presumably, was in the open stands of large longleaf pines; but the increasing human population, with the resulting elimination (by axe, saw and fire) of much of the natural wilderness and its replacement by turkey-oak forests, forced the squirrel to adapt to changed conditions. This it has done with moderate success and therein lies the significance of this highly readable account.