Eastern fox squirrel

The Eastern fox squirrel (Sciurus niger) is a large, stout-bodied squirrel native to the Mississippi valley and southeastern U.S., though it is now rare in parts of its historical range. Squirrels, in general, are rodents known for their bushy tails, described by the Greek word skiouros meaning "shade tail".12

Tree squirrels, like the Eastern fox squirrel, are diurnal and arboreal, meaning they are active during the day and live in trees. Their diet is varied and includes nuts, fruits, seeds, fungi, insects, nectar, leaves, buds, flowers, tree bark, and occasionally bird eggs, nestlings, or carrion. They possess strong incisors and jaws for gnawing open nuts. The Eastern fox squirrel is known to run along the ground between trees.23