Delmarva Fox Squirrel (Sciurus niger cinereus)
Habitat: Delmarva fox squirrels prefer old growth or mature forests located in Maryland, Virginia and Delaware. These forests provide plenty of food for the squirrels, as well as places to make dens.
Adaptations: Fox squirrels have strong forearms, abdominals and paws. They use these strong muscles to grab on to trees and climb up or bound quickly on the forest floor to avoid predators.
Diet: In the wild, Delmarva fox squirrels would eat nuts, seeds and acorns from various trees. They also like to find fruit, fungi and occasionally a small insect if available. At the Salisbury Zoo, our Delmarva fox squirrel eats rodent block, and a mix of fruits and veggies, and nuts are given as rewards while training.
Fun Fact: Delmarva fox squirrels were listed as an endangered species in 1967 due to habitat loss and overhunting. However, with conservation efforts, the Delmarva Fox squirrel was delisted in 2015 and there are now colonies all over the Delmarva peninsula.