Sherman's fox squirrel
Sherman's fox squirrel (Sciurus niger shermani) is a subspecies of the fox squirrel. It lives in Florida and Georgia in fire-prone areas of longleaf pine and wiregrass, especially around sandhills.[1] A tree squirrel, the Sherman's fox species has lost much of its habitat to farming and development.[1][2][2] This type of squirrel nests in oak trees using leaves and Spanish moss.[1]
| Sciurus niger shermani | |
|---|---|
 | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Mammalia |
| Order: | Rodentia |
| Family: | Sciuridae |
| Genus: | Sciurus |
| Species: | |
| Subspecies: | S. n. shermani |
| Trinomial name | |
| Sciurus niger shermani Moore, 1956 | |
In comparison to other squirrels, this subspecies is large (23 - 28 in. = 600 – 700 mm) with highly variable dorsal fur color ranging from nearly all black (uncommon) to silver, with variations of black over silver and silver over black. Underside is tan. Head is generally black; ears and muzzle are often white. Tail is long, nearly the length of the head and torso. Nests are usually in oak trees and are constructed of oak leaves and Spanish moss.[3] Due to habitat loss, Sherman's fox squirrel has been designated as a species of special concern and hunting or trapping of them is prohibited by state and federal law.
Other fox squirrel subspecies in Florida include the southern fox squirrel (S. n. niger), which lives in a wide area of the Florida Panhandle, and the mangrove fox squirrel (S. n. avicennia), which lives southwest of Lake Okeechobee.[1]
References
- Sherman's fox squirrel Sciurus niger shermani Field Guide to the Rare Animals of Florida, Florida Natural Areas Inventory, 2001
- Sherman's fox squirrel — a rare sight in Central Florida; A rare Sherman's fox squirrel nibbles on a goodie in a field… by Sherry Boas December 8, 2013 Sherry Boas Orlando Sentinel
- http://www.fnai.org/FieldGuide/pdf/Sciurus_niger_shermani.PDF