Sunday, March 22, 2015

The Florida Fox Squirrel

What would you think if you looked in the woods and saw this?

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I’ve already answered the question in my title but we had no idea what it was when we first saw it.

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I googled ‘huge squirrel’ and found some good info about Florida fox squirrels. The website I liked best is HERE. More info HERE. They have some great photos.

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We’ve lived in Florida for 10 years but saw this rare squirrel for the first time last weekend. We actually saw two.

But yesterday we saw one that was right along the road and a good place for us to pull over and take these photos.

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When I first saw it, I thought it was a raccoon.

The tail is very long and bushy like a fox and when it runs, it trails behind it just like a fox on the run. The body of the squirrel it is 3 to 4 times larger than a regular squirrel and look at the length and width of the tail.

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The markings on the one last weekend were a little different. It looked more like it had a black mask with a white nose and the feet were black.

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But this one posed for photos so he’s my favorite now!

I’m joining Beautiful Sunday and

Lavender Cottage for Mosaic Monday

and Amaze me Monday.

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You may not think of the ‘piney woods’ of Florida but we have those in this part of North Central Florida and now we’ve seen the Fox Squirrel (very near where we saw a small black bear when we first moved here)

Have you ever seen a Fox Squirrel?

62 comments:

Primitive Stars said...

Morning, what a great looking Squirrel, love that face. Blessings Francine.

Jeannie Marie said...

I have not! I had no idea they existed, I have regular sized squirrels in my yard (cute but pesky). I would run, run to get my camera like you! I've not seen a black bear either, but there is a sign not to far from me to beware of them.

Jane and Chris said...

WOW! He's impressive...and very beautiful!
Jane x

kathyinozarks said...

what a cutie he is-I had never heard of these guys-thanks for all the photos
Happy Spring Kathy

sweetbriardreams said...

Oh bless him! He looks as though he is a little chimney sweep's brush. This is something I will probably never see so thank you for sharing. Have a wonderful day. xx

Kathy said...

What an amazing treat to get to see one in the wild. That tail is beautiful.

JoAnn ( Scene Through My Eyes) said...

Wow - I've never heard of, or seen a Fox Squirrel. They are amazing and you got some wonderful photos. It was interesting to read about the Fox Squirrels - we only have regular grey ones and black one - fun to watch though.

Linda H said...

He is handsome! What a beautiful tail. You've captured him well with your photos!

Linda @ A La Carte said...

Great photos! I have never seen Fox Squirrels but they are really interesting. Happy Spring!
hugs,
Linda

Susie said...

Diane, I have never heard of that squirrel or seen one. It is impressive. You got some good photos of it too. We have plenty of squirrels around here. they are more like the color of that one's body. Enjoy your beautiful Sunday. Blessings for a fun filled new week. xoxo,Susie

PatC - All is Bright said...

II have never heard of one much less seen one. Great pictures!

Hugs
Pat

Ariadne said...

What a lovely squirrel!AriadnefromGreece!

BeachGypsy said...

Wow i have never heard of such a thing!!!?? Your photos are great and he looks HUGE! Gosh that TAIL!!! How long do you think they are?

BeachGypsy said...

PS... i see a pure white one here often....i wonder if those are common or rare?

Anonymous said...

Fox squirrel looks really very good. The tail is very long and looks beautiful...

Jeanne said...

Holy cow. I never knew they existed. Very interesting creature.

Sandra said...

Very interesting squirrel. I have never seen one quite like that.

Diane said...

I'm with everyone else-- never heard of them. Very interesting. Cool tail!

Red Rose Alley said...

Oh my goodness, look how long that tail is! I've never seen the fox squirrel before, such an unusual looking squirrel. These are great pictures, Diane. His face does look similar to a fox hehehe.

Love your nature posts, my friend.

~Sheri

Tina said...

I've never heard of them either! They're so cool! Thank you for sharing.

NanaDiana said...

Nope- I have never seen one of those, Diane. They are something with that tail!

GREAT pictures- xo Diana

Lynn said...

Wow, I'd hate to have to try to keep one of them out of my garden!:@)

Susan said...

Sounds like a story you need to write, Sis

Beth said...

That's a unique squirrel! I've never seen one. We have common red/orange squirrels in our area. No grey squirrels here. There are areas in our state that have black squirrels, though.

Unknown said...

I have never heard of one. What a cool looking squirrel! We have the regular ones and a albino one here. But i haven't seen the albino one here this winter so I don't know if something happened to him.

Shug said...

I've never heard of a fox squirrel...it certainly is a big fella. Not only does it have a big torso, but the tail is extra long. I probably would have been scared...
Enjoy the evening...

Wilma said...

Hello Diana,
I had never heard of a Fox Squirrel.
Interesting and beautiful. Great photo's.
Thank you so much for your visit and your kind and enthusiastic comment.
It's so encouraging that you like my work that much to add it to your list. Thank you !!
I am a follower now.

Hugs, Wilma.

Brenda Pruitt said...

You are so lucky to be able to photograph all that you do. I often wish I could walk along with you with my own camera!
Brenda

Vee said...

No, I have not. If I looked out and saw one of those, I'm pretty sure I'd scream. There's something a little freaky about him. What am I saying?! A lot freaky about him. I don't think I'd feel this way if he existed in a world without normal-sized squirrels. Sort of like the difference between a mouse and a rat. Great pictures!

Linda said...

That was an exciting sightings. Such a long tail on the fox squirrel and its face has unique markings.

Terra said...

I had not heard of a fox squirrel before, and this guy is handsome. I like the face markings and that fluffy tail. You got great photos.

Linda Walker said...

Well Diane, I've seen one now! I happen to think squirrrels are very cute, this one is beautiful! I know some people think they are pests but we have many around the yard and they can be quite comical to watch! Your fox squirrels with the black faces are new to me. I would love to see one in person! Great photos as usual!
xo
Linda

Deb said...

What a gorgeous looking squirrel, now that's a tail!

Doreen@foxdenrd said...

Now, I've never heard of one much less seen one! What an interesting looking animal that is with that mask like face and amazing tail. I wonder if dogs have the nerve to chase it ;)?

Anonymous said...

I've never saw one before either! They are beautiful,

Carla from The River said...

Wow, you got some great photos! I love this Fox Squirrel, he is so fun with the long tail.
Thank you for sharing.
Carla

Carla from The River said...

Hi again,
I see 15 hikes!! Yippee. :-) I love the new photo too.

doodles n daydreams said...

Look at that tail, no wonder he was posing for you. We don't have squirrels in N.Z. so I've never seen one at all, not even in a zoo.

Diana

Arlene G said...

I have never seen a squirrel like this one! Thanks for sharing.

GARAGE SALE GAL said...

WOW, haven't heard or seen a fox squirrel, ever! Pretty cool animal and you took some nice photos!
warmly,
deb

cynthia lee designs said...

This is the first fox squirrel that I've ever seen. He is a beauty!!
hugs,
Cindy

Debby said...

I have not only never seen one of these but I have never heard of them. Yikes, scary. That squirrel is big and that tail is enormous. Florida has wildlife that you wouldn't think they would have,
You got some good pictures.
Love the sun.

Unknown said...

I have to say I have never seen a Fox Squirrel. How cool. I'm so glad you shared your photos with us.

Hugs~

Botanic Bleu said...

Diane,
Have you had anyone say they have seen a Fox Squirrel before? I've never heard of that kind of squirrel, but every part of the country has different kinds of wildlife. Your photos are amazing.

Judith

Trace4J said...

What a cool fella.
I may have been a lil scared.
He didn't look to worried about you but maybe he may fly out..
Great photos.
Have a great week my Friend
Woolie Hugs

Boopnut said...

I have never seen a fox squirrel! Very interesting! I have not explored much of Florida other than Disney World, Universal, and Naples. Oh, I have seen alligators in the swamps and lakes!
Deb

Cindy @ Dwellings-The Heart of Your Home said...

Wow! Such a long tail, I've never seen one.
Blessings,
Cindy

Judith @ Lavender Cottage said...

Holy batman?
I didn't know there was such a squirrel and wonder why the tail is so long on this species?
Haha, a squirrel lifer for you Diane.
Thanks for linking to Mosaic Monday.

handmade by amalia said...

If I'm honest I wouldn't think anything. I'd hightail it to the car in a hurry. It is good of you to stop and take photos for those of us less brave, Diane :-)
Amalia
xo

Sallie (FullTime-Life) said...

Wow he's wonderful. We have lots of piney woods around this part of the state too(as you know) but I've sure never seen this amazing squirrel. Never even heard of it band now I can't wait to see one someday. Thanks for my something new to learn for the day!,,

Maggie Ann said...

I've never seen a Fox Squirrell, but he is very interesting! That tail must be gorgeous....and maybe helps him race along....fly? a bit through the tree branches?

JG said...

Never have I seen one! Looks so interesting with the different colors, Diane!
~Judy

Donna said...

Oh what a treat to see this squirrel. I would almost think it was a raccoon too. What an amazing creature.

Anonymous said...

I will have to keep my eyes open for this one. How can one miss him or her. Large and bushy tailed.

I live where it is bush land all around me. I do like his face. Looks like a raccon a bit.

Thanks for sharing the pictures are so awesome.

Pat @ Mille Fiori Favoriti said...

WOW!!!! That is one giant squirrel! I never heard of that species before and found this so interesting, Diane. I'm glad they are not hanging out in my backyard trees....lol!

Red Rose Alley said...

Diane, I just wanted to tell you that I haven't traveled to those places either. The cloth doll was from my friend Jill that lives in France, and I liked it so much on her blog that she sent it to me. It is something that I will always treasure. And the china cabinet was a gift from my husband many years ago, and it was made in Italy. It is my dream to go there someday. (it has such pretty detail and glass that's hard to see in the picture). Thank you for the lovely comment. Yes, you should do a post on your favorite things. I would love to see them.

~Sheri

Breathtaking said...

Hello!:) What fantastic captures of the Fox Squirrel.They must be pretty rare or very shy for you to have only seen this one, after ten years of living where you are, without a sign of them.We only get to see the Red Squirrel here, but I would love to see a Fox Squirrel, and think they are very attractive.

Montanagirl said...

Oh my goodness - what a great find! I have never even heard of a Fox Squirrel. It looks huge!!

Deb @ Frugal Little Bungalow said...

I thought it was some jungle animal in the first picture! :)

Wsprsweetly Of Cottages said...

We lived in Jacksonville and traveled North to Chipley every now and then were our relatives live.
We traveled south just for long drives and adventuring. Nope..saw alligators..in the creek behind us...but no Fox squirrels. What a beautiful animal they are! Lucky you to have seen them!.

Sam I Am...... said...

I have never seen one...how fascinating! Thank you, I learn so much from your posts!

Diane Writes said...

The last photo is just breathtaking!