John, because you are an expatriate Floridian I have this question for you. While visiting my daughter and grandkids in FL I had the chance to see this squirrel that raids their bird feeder: he is mostly black and real big, bigger than any squirrel I've seen; his belly is reddish and he has a face with a black forehead and white muzzle. When you look at him head on it looks almost like a small 'coon. What can you tell me about him?
Stay healthy. You may have to wait in line from now on.
Sherman's fox squirrel. (Sciurus niger shermani) They were endangered for a long time. Usually hang out in long leaf pine areas. Do a google search for them and see if that is what you saw. Not unusual for one to be 25-30 inches long and weigh 3 pounds.
I shot an old Fox squirrel here in KY once when I was kid, all the red fur partsof the squirrel were black , i've been told its not too uncommon. Only one i ever saw though, and i killed a bunch when i was young. didn't have deer,turkey,coyotes,beaver,otter, bald eagles then. I think KDFW has done an excellent job through the years restoring our native species.
John, that's him!. The habitat also corresponds to what you described: long leaf pine, sandy soil, plenty of Spanish moss for their nesting, etc. Thanks.
