Today’s photo features a Fox Squirrel I photographed lounging on a limb above one of my birdhouses. It’s amusing how these squirrels seem to favor this particular limb for relaxation. I suppose they enjoy it because it offers a prime vantage point to observe the happenings in my yard and keep an eye on me. The subject of this photo is a female squirrel who has grown accustomed to my presence and doesn’t flee when I’m outdoors. Instead, she patiently waits for me to bring out the sunflower seeds for the birds.
In Arkansas, Fox squirrels reign as the largest tree squirrels in the state, displaying remarkable adaptability to diverse habitats. They often thrive in proximity to humans, frequently spotted in urban parks and residential neighborhoods. While they typically forage on the ground, their adept climbing and jumping abilities enable them to scale bird feeder poles effortlessly. These sociable creatures are frequently seen foraging and resting together in sizable groups, particularly during the winter months when they huddle in nests to conserve energy and maintain warmth.
In captivity, Fox squirrels can live up to 18 years, with females boasting a maximum lifespan of 12.6 years and males reaching 8.6 years in the wild. Their diet primarily consists of acorns, walnuts, pecans, and hickory nuts, which they diligently cache for consumption during the winter months.
Image Information:
- Date: 02/22/24
- Time: 12:32 PM
- Camera: Canon EOS R5
- Lens: Canon RF 100-500mm F4.5-7.1 L IS USM
- ISO: 5000
- Aperture: 8
- Shutter: 1/2000
- Exp. Comp.:+0.7
- Lens (mm): 500
- Program Mode: Manual