conservation.arizona.edu - fox squirrel

Steele, M. A., and J. L. Koprowski. 2001. North American Tree Squirrels. Smithsonian Institution Press: Washington, DC. 224 p.

thackerk1 — Tue, 30 Jul 2019 20:04:43 +0000

Authors

Michael A. Steele

John L. Koprowski

Find summary.

Additional Information

North American Tree Squirrels

Date of publication:

2001

Topics

tree squirrels

gray squirrel

fox squirrel

behavior

Koprowski, J. L. 1988. Longevity records for the fox squirrel. Journal of Mammalogy 69(2): 383-384

thackerk1 — Tue, 23 Jul 2019 00:04:25 +0000

Authors

John L. Koprowski

A new longevity record for the fox squirrel, Sciurus niger rufiventer, is available in the records of the Rose Lake Wildlife Experiment Station near East Lansing, Michigan. One squirrel known to be 7½ years old was shot on the station on October 25, 1956, and another, at least 7½ years old, was shot there on October 23, 1952. These are the oldest squirrels in the 18-year record of the station. Regular live-trapping and tagging of game animals, exceptionally heavy hunting, and a bag check of all hunters on the station insure a high recovery of tagged animals.

Additional Information

Longevity Records for the Fox Squirrel

Date of publication:

1988

Topics

fox squirrel

longevity

Koprowski, J. L. 1991. Response of fox squirrels and gray squirrels to a late spring-early summer food shortage. Journal of Mammalogy 72(2): 367-372.

thackerk1 — Tue, 23 Jul 2019 00:02:58 +0000

Authors

John L. Koprowski

The response of adult and juvenile fox squirrels (Sciurus niger) and gray squirrels (S. carolinensis) to a shortage in their two major May-June foods was monitored and compared to a year of typical food abundance. Squirrels foraged more frequently, but less efficiently, during the year of fruit failure than during the typical year. Juvenile survival of both species was reduced during the year of fruit failure, but adult survival remained high. Juvenile losses occurred during late June when weights of adults and juveniles were lower than in the year of typical fruit abundance. By influencing juvenile survival and body condition of adults, late spring-early summer can be a critical period for populations of tree squirrels.

Additional Information

Response of Fox Squirrels and Gray Squirrels to a Late Spring-Early Summer Food Shortage

Date of publication:

1991

Topics

fox squirrel

juvenile

food shortage

survival

body condition

Koprowski, J. L. 1993. Behavioral tactics, dominance, and copulatory success among male fox squirrels. Ethology Ecology & Evolution 5: 169-176.

thackerk1 — Mon, 22 Jul 2019 23:59:38 +0000

Authors

John L. Koprowski

The behavioral tactics and mating behavior of male fox squirrels (Sciurus niger) were studied in a small population of uniquely marked, free-ranging individuals during the winter breeding season in 1986 to 1990. Twelve mating bouts were observed with an average of 5.83 males. Two alternative male reproductive tactics were active pursuit and satellite. Active-pursuit males were the most dominant squirrels that fought for and defended proximity to the estrous female. Satellite males were subordinates that remained dispersed in the estrous female's home range but avoided interaction with active-pursuit males. Active pursuit accounted for more copulations than the satellite tactic (0.83 vs 0.23 copulations/male/bout) with the copulations distributed more evenly among active-pursuit males (CV = 133.7) than among satellite males (CV = 191.3). Satellite males copulated with a female after she avoided the contest competition among active-pursuit males. Although the tactics were dominance-based, dominance rank was not directly correlated with mating success. However, highranking, dominant males gained access to and mounted more females than lower ranking males. The alternative mating tactics of male fox squirrels may be important in mediating intermale mating success.

Additional Information

Behavioral tactics, dominance, and copulatory success among male fox squirrels

Date of publication:

1993

Topics

fox squirrel

behavioral tactics

mating behavior

satellite males

dominant males

Koprowski, J. L. 1994. Sciurus niger. Mammalian Species 479: 1-9 .

thackerk1 — Mon, 22 Jul 2019 23:48:17 +0000

Authors

John L. Koprowski

Information on the Sciurus niger, or commonly known as the fox squirrel.

Additional Information

Sciurus niger

Date of publication:

1994

Topics

fox squirrel

general characters

distribution

fossil record

behavior

ecology

Koprowski, J. L. 1996. Natal philopatry, communal nesting, and kinship in fox squirrels and gray squirrels. Journal of Mammalogy 77(4): 1006-1016.

thackerk1 — Mon, 22 Jul 2019 23:36:31 +0000

Authors

John L. Koprowski

Tree squirrels (Sciuridae: Sciurini) are considered to be asocial; however, communal nesting is reported for most species. I examined the sociality of uniquely marked fox squirrels (Sciurus niger) and gray squirrels (S. carolinensis) to investigate interspecific patterns of natal philopatry, communal nesting, and kinship. Natal philopatry was female-biased in gray squirrels, resulting in the formation of kin clusters, but no fox squirrels remained in their natal areas. Adult male and female squirrels interacted less than expected, suggesting that the social systems of the sexes are separate. Communal nesting occurred in all seasons, but was most frequent in winter. Unrelated adult males commonly nested together in both species. However, adult female fox squirrels rarely nested in groups, although communal nests were common among female gray squirrels. Amicable behaviors were directed only toward closely related females (r = 0.5) within kin groups of gray squirrels; aggression was directed primarily at unrelated females. The female-female bond was important in the formation of groups in gray squirrels.

Additional Information

Natal Philopatry, Communal Nesting, and Kinship in Fox Squirrels and Gray Squirrels

Date of publication:

1996

Topics

fox squirrel

gray squirrel

communal nesting

natal philopatry

sociality

relatedness