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EASTERN FOX SQUIRRELS
Natural History
- Fox squirrels are primarily distributed
along the South Platte and Republican River drainages. They usually are
found in wooded areas.
- They
are 18 to 28 inches long, weigh 1 to 3 pounds, and are a rusty yellowish color.
-
Fox squirrels feed on a variety of nuts, acorns,
tree buds and seeds, corn, soybeans, bird eggs, and cambium layer below the bark
of small tree branches.
- They
nest in the cavities of trees or build nests of leaves, twigs, and bark high in
the crotch or branches of trees.
- Fox
squirrels give birth to 2 to 5 young per litter and 1 or 2 litters per year in
February to April and August to September.
Benefits
- Fox squirrels provide enjoyment for
wildlife viewers, photographers, nature enthusiasts, and hunters.
Conflicts
- Fox squirrels can remove wooden shakes
and shingles from roofs and enter attics.
- They
often chew on and remove bark from deciduous trees, especially elms and Russian
olives.
- They are attracted
to bird feeders.
- They occasionally
travel powerlines and short out transformers.
Solutions
to Conflicts with Fox Squirrels - Elevate
bird feeders, move them away from trees, or use squirrel proof feeders.
-
Place cone shaped tree guards or 2 foot tall
cylinders of tin around the trunk of isolated trees or powerlines for exclusion.
-
Remove tree branches that provide access to
the roof.
- Squirrel proof all
entrances into building by covering holes in roofs and other locations.
-
Napthalene (moth balls, 5 pounds per 2,000
cubic feet of air space) may temporarily discourage squirrels from entering attics
and other enclosed spaces. However, the smell of moth balls also can irritate
humans.
- Fox squirrels can be
captured with 18x7x7 inch or larger live traps such as the Havahart or Tomahawk
baited with peanut butter or nuts. They can be dispatched or released 5
or more miles away with permission of the landowner and a permit from the Colorado
Division of Wildlife.
- No toxicants
or fumigants are registered for fox squirrels in Colorado.
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