SpeciesFacts

All species › Mammals › Eastern Fox Squirrel

Eastern Fox Squirrel

Sciurus niger

Mammal · family Sciuridae · order Rodentia

  1. G1
    Critically imperiled
  2. G2
    Imperiled
  3. G3
    Vulnerable
  4. G4
    Apparently secure
  5. G5
    Secure

NatureServe global rank G5: secure[2].

Updated October 30, 2026. Published by Humblebee.

Endangered Species Act
Not listed[1]
NatureServe global rank
G5 Secure[2]
Native in
33 states[3]
Longest recorded life
16 years[4]

The Eastern Fox Squirrel (Sciurus niger) is a mammal in the rodent family Sciuridae[5]. NatureServe ranks it G5 (Secure) worldwide, and it is native to 33 US states and territories[2][3].

Conservation status

NatureServe gives the Eastern Fox Squirrel a global rank of G5 (Secure) and a national rank of N5 (Secure)[2][6]. The IUCN Red List category recorded by NatureServe is Least concern[7]. The species is not listed as endangered or threatened under the US Endangered Species Act in USFWS data checked on 2026-10-30[1]. Some states rank it differently. For example, Connecticut and New Jersey list it as SX, which means extirpated[8][9].

Status Value
Endangered Species Act[1] Not listed
NatureServe global rank[2] G5 (Secure)
NatureServe US rank[6] N5 (Secure)
IUCN Red List (via NatureServe)[7] Least concern
Total population (NatureServe estimate)[10] 10,000 to >1,000,000 individuals

Where Eastern Fox Squirrel lives

NatureServe lists the Eastern Fox Squirrel as native in states from New York and Pennsylvania south to Florida and Texas, and west to Montana, Wyoming, Colorado and New Mexico[3]. It is introduced, not native, in California, Idaho, Oregon and Washington[11]. NatureServe ranks it as extirpated or possibly extirpated in Connecticut, the District of Columbia and New Jersey[8]. GBIF has the most observation records from Texas, California, Colorado, Michigan and Ohio, but that follows where people look and report, not how many squirrels live there[12].

Alaska: not recordedAKMaine: not recordedMEWisconsin: native, state rank S4WIVermont: not recordedVTNew Hampshire: not recordedNHWashington: introduced, state rank SNAWAIdaho: introduced, state rank SNAIDMontana: native, state rank S4MTNorth Dakota: native, state rank SNRNDMinnesota: native, state rank SNRMNIllinois: native, state rank S5ILMichigan: native, state rank S5MINew York: native, state rank S3NYMassachusetts: not recordedMAOregon: introduced, state rank SNAORNevada: not recordedNVWyoming: native, state rank SNAWYSouth Dakota: native, state rank S5SDIowa: native, state rank S5IAIndiana: native, state rank S5INOhio: native, state rank SNROHPennsylvania: native, state rank S5PANew Jersey: extirpated or possibly extirpated, state rank SXNJConnecticut: extirpated or possibly extirpated, state rank SXCTRhode Island: not recordedRICalifornia: introduced, state rank SNACAUtah: not recordedUTColorado: native, state rank S4CONebraska: native, state rank S5NEMissouri: native, state rank S5MOKentucky: native, state rank S5KYWest Virginia: native, state rank S4WVVirginia: native, state rank S4VAMaryland: native, state rank S4MDDelaware: native, state rank SNRDEArizona: not recordedAZNew Mexico: native, state rank SNANMKansas: native, state rank S5KSArkansas: native, state rank S5ARTennessee: native, state rank S5TNNorth Carolina: native, state rank S3NCSouth Carolina: native, state rank S3SCDistrict of Columbia: extirpated or possibly extirpated, state rank SHDCOklahoma: native, state rank SNROKLouisiana: native, state rank S5LAMississippi: not recordedMSAlabama: native, state rank S3ALGeorgia: native, state rank S5GAHawaii: not recordedHITexas: native, state rank S5TXFlorida: native, state rank SNRFLPuerto Rico: not recordedPR
State presence as recorded by NatureServe[9].
Show state ranks (40 states)
StateRankMeaning
AlabamaS3Vulnerable
ArkansasS5Secure
CaliforniaSNANot Applicable
ColoradoS4Apparently Secure
ConnecticutSXPresumed Extirpated
DelawareSNRNot Ranked
District of ColumbiaSHPossibly Extirpated
FloridaSNRNot Ranked
GeorgiaS5Secure
IdahoSNANot Applicable
IllinoisS5Secure
IndianaS5Secure
IowaS5Secure
KansasS5Secure
KentuckyS5Secure
LouisianaS5Secure
MarylandS4Apparently Secure
MichiganS5Secure
MinnesotaSNRNot Ranked
MissouriS5Secure
MontanaS4Apparently Secure
NebraskaS5Secure
New JerseySXPresumed Extirpated
New MexicoSNANot Applicable
New YorkS3Vulnerable
North CarolinaS3Vulnerable
North DakotaSNRNot Ranked
OhioSNRNot Ranked
OklahomaSNRNot Ranked
OregonSNANot Applicable
PennsylvaniaS5Secure
South CarolinaS3Vulnerable
South DakotaS5Secure
TennesseeS5Secure
TexasS5Secure
VirginiaS4Apparently Secure
WashingtonSNANot Applicable
West VirginiaS4Apparently Secure
WisconsinS4Apparently Secure
WyomingSNANot Applicable

Habitat

NatureServe records many habitat types for this squirrel, including hardwood, conifer and mixed forest, woodland, savanna, shrubland, riparian areas and suburban or orchard settings[13]. It often lives in open mixed forest, and it has also adapted to disturbed ground, hedgerows and city parks[14]. It tends to prefer savannas or open woodlands over dense forest[14]. In the southeastern US, NatureServe names mature, open longleaf pine and turkey oak forests as its principal habitat[14].

Habitat types recorded by NatureServe[13]

Size, diet and lifespan

NatureServe records adult food habits as invertivore, herbivore, granivore and frugivore, which means it eats some insects, plants, seeds and fruit[15]. EltonTraits estimates its diet at 50% seeds, 30% other plant material and 20% fruit[16]. It often feeds on the ground, and it buries food in fall to eat later[17]. NatureServe records a typical length of 70 cm (28 in)[18]. AnAge lists a typical litter of 3 and a gestation of 44 days[19][20]. The longest recorded lifespan is 16 years in captivity[4].

Trait Value
Typical length[18] 70 cm (28 in)
Typical adult weight[21] 1.1 kg (2 lb)
Longest recorded lifespan (AnAge)[4] 16 years (captivity)
Litter or clutch size[19] 3
Gestation or incubation[20] 44 days
Female maturity[22] 353 days (about 1.0 years)
Food habits[15] Invertivore, Herbivore, Granivore, Frugivore
Active[23] diurnal
Migration[24] non-migrant

Estimated diet composition (EltonTraits 1.0)[16]

  • 50% seeds
  • 30% other plant material
  • 20% fruit

When to look for it

The Eastern Fox Squirrel is active by day[25][23]. NatureServe says activity usually peaks in early morning and late afternoon, and in winter there may be one midday peak instead[26]. It is a non-migrant, though populations can differ[24]. Young are born mainly from January to April, and less often from July to September[27]. GBIF records are highest in April, May and September, which shows when people report it, not how many animals there are[28].

January: 9,824 recordsJanFebruary: 11,408 recordsFebMarch: 13,475 recordsMarApril: 21,703 recordsAprMay: 13,513 recordsMayJune: 8,215 recordsJunJuly: 6,513 recordsJulAugust: 7,204 recordsAugSeptember: 13,650 recordsSepOctober: 12,026 recordsOctNovember: 10,790 recordsNovDecember: 9,368 recordsDec
US observation records on GBIF by month, all years. The three months with the most records are highlighted. Records show when people look and report, not how many animals there are[28].
Show records by month
MonthRecords
January9,824
February11,408
March13,475
April21,703
May13,513
June8,215
July6,513
August7,204
September13,650
October12,026
November10,790
December9,368

Where to see it

National Park Service species lists record Eastern Fox Squirrel as present in 60 park units[29]. Present means the park has a confirmed record, not that sightings are common.

And 36 more park units.

States with the most GBIF observation records: Texas, California, Colorado, Michigan, Ohio[12]. These counts follow where people look and report, not population size.

Questions people ask

Is the Eastern Fox Squirrel endangered?
No. It is not listed as endangered or threatened under the US Endangered Species Act[1]. NatureServe ranks it G5 (Secure) globally[2].
Where does the Eastern Fox Squirrel live?
It is native in 33 US states and territories, from the East and South to the Great Plains and Rocky Mountain states[3]. It is introduced in California, Idaho, Oregon and Washington[11].
What does the Eastern Fox Squirrel eat?
EltonTraits estimates its diet at 50% seeds, 30% other plant material and 20% fruit[16]. NatureServe also notes nuts, fungi and small amounts of insects[17].
How big is the Eastern Fox Squirrel?
NatureServe records a typical length of 70 cm (28 in)[18].
How long does the Eastern Fox Squirrel live?
The longest recorded lifespan is 16 years in captivity[4]. That is a record, not a typical lifespan.

Facts and sources

  1. Eastern Fox Squirrel is not listed as endangered or threatened under the US Endangered Species Act in USFWS ECOS data (checked 2026-10-30). USFWS ECOS
  2. NatureServe global conservation status rank for Eastern Fox Squirrel: G5 (Secure). NatureServe Explorer
  3. NatureServe lists Eastern Fox Squirrel as native in 33 US states and territories: Alabama, Arkansas, Colorado, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, North... NatureServe Explorer
  4. Maximum recorded lifespan in AnAge: 16 years in captivity. This is a record, not a typical lifespan. AnAge
  5. Eastern Fox Squirrel (Sciurus niger) is a mammal in the family Sciuridae, order Rodentia. NatureServe Explorer
  6. NatureServe national rank in the United States: N5 (Secure). NatureServe Explorer
  7. IUCN Red List category as recorded by NatureServe: Least concern. NatureServe Explorer
  8. NatureServe ranks Eastern Fox Squirrel as extirpated or possibly extirpated (SX or SH) in: Connecticut, the District of Columbia, New Jersey. NatureServe Explorer
  9. NatureServe state ranks for Eastern Fox Squirrel (map and table on this page). NatureServe Explorer
  10. NatureServe estimate of total adult population (global, as a range): 10,000 to >1,000,000 individuals. NatureServe Explorer
  11. NatureServe lists Eastern Fox Squirrel as introduced (not native) in: California, Idaho, Oregon, Washington. NatureServe Explorer
  12. US states with the most GBIF observation records of Eastern Fox Squirrel: Texas, California, Colorado, Michigan, Ohio. Record counts follow observer effort, not population size. GBIF
  13. Habitat types NatureServe records for Eastern Fox Squirrel: Forest - hardwood, Forest - conifer, Forest - mixed, Woodland - hardwood, Woodland - conifer, Woodland - mixed, Shrubland/chaparral, Savanna, Suburban/orchard, Riparian. NatureServe Explorer
  14. NatureServe notes on habitat for Eastern Fox Squirrel. NatureServe Explorer
  15. Adult food habits recorded by NatureServe: Invertivore, Herbivore, Granivore, Frugivore. NatureServe Explorer
  16. Estimated diet composition in EltonTraits 1.0: 50% seeds, 30% other plant material, 20% fruit. EltonTraits 1.0
  17. NatureServe notes on food for Eastern Fox Squirrel. NatureServe Explorer
  18. Typical length recorded by NatureServe: 70 cm (28 in). NatureServe Explorer
  19. Typical litter or clutch size in AnAge: 3. AnAge
  20. Gestation or incubation period in AnAge: 44 days. AnAge
  21. Typical adult weight recorded by NatureServe: 1.1 kg (2 lb). NatureServe Explorer
  22. Age at female sexual maturity in AnAge: 353 days (about 1.0 years). AnAge
  23. Activity time in EltonTraits 1.0: diurnal. EltonTraits 1.0
  24. NatureServe migration category for Eastern Fox Squirrel: non-migrant (populations can differ). NatureServe Explorer
  25. Adult activity patterns recorded by NatureServe: Diurnal. NatureServe Explorer
  26. NatureServe notes on phenology for Eastern Fox Squirrel. NatureServe Explorer
  27. NatureServe notes on reproduction for Eastern Fox Squirrel. NatureServe Explorer
  28. GBIF observation records of Eastern Fox Squirrel in the US by month (chart on this page). GBIF
  29. NPSpecies park lists recording Eastern Fox Squirrel as present (list on this page). NPS NPSpecies

Status, range and habitat come from NatureServe Explorer (CC BY 4.0) and USFWS ECOS at the snapshot date. Listings change by federal rule. State lists are where NatureServe records the species, not a promise that you will see it there. Never name a place smaller than a state. GBIF and park records count observations and checklists. They show where and when people report the species, not how many animals live there.

NatureServe. 2026. NatureServe Explorer [web application]. NatureServe, Arlington, Virginia. Available https://explorer.natureserve.org. (Accessed: October 30, 2026). Licensed under CC BY 4.0; SpeciesFacts selected and summarized it.