Article by Gabrielle Harrison Friends of the Withlacoochee State Trail
Have you ever seen a Sherman’s Fox Squirrel? They are not very common, but if you are in a rural area like we have here on the Withlacoochee State Trail, you are more likely to have a brief encounter. They are larger than our Gray Squirrels and at first glance, you might even question whether or not you have seen a fox or a squirrel. They weigh between one to three pounds, whereas the Gray Squirrel weighs between a quarter to a half a pound! The squirrel is named after H.B. Sherman, an ecologist who studied small mammals. They come in a variety of colors but will almost always have a black head and white ears. The squirrels are protected due to declining numbers throughout the State.
They live in longleaf pine forested areas as well as the sandhills. Their diet consists of fruits, nuts, and seeds with pine seeds being one of their favorites!
