When it comes to squirrels, there’s more than meets the eye. The ongoing battle between gray squirrels and fox squirrels is a fascinating aspect of wildlife that many people are unaware of. These furry creatures may seem cute and harmless initially, but their natural interactions tell a different story.
Here, we will delve into the differences between gray squirrels and fox squirrels, from physical characteristics to behavior patterns. By understanding these distinctions, you’ll better appreciate these clever critters and their unique roles in the ecosystem. So, prepare to embark on a journey into the world of squirrels and discover what sets gray squirrels and fox squirrels apart.
How Many Different Species Of Squirrels Are There?
Although many of them live in the United States, there are more than 200 species of squirrels existing worldwide. The United States boasts five distinct species of squirrels. They are fox, gray, red, flying, and ground. Some reside in trees, some in the ground, and some seem to fly. Most tree squirrels have keen claws, large ears, and bushed tails. Conversely, ground squirrels feature shorter legs and less dense fur. Their hairy membrane between their wrists and legs helps them to glide between trees.
Grey Squirrels
Two varieties of gray squirrels inhabit the United States are the eastern and western gray squirrels. Though it has occasionally been observed in the west of the United States and Europe, the eastern gray squirrel typically resides in the northeastern United States. The western gray squirrel resides three times along the western coast in three separate locations. These two giant rats have many colors: black, gray, brown, cream, and red.
Fox Squirrels
Only on the eastern coast of the United States are fox squirrel kinds absent. This type of squirrel is the largest growing to be 17 to 27 inches long. Two different color groups of these giant rats exist. One has dark fur ranging in hue from black to gray and tan or gold fur on the underside. Though their heads are black, their feet, ears, and eyes are white. The additional color is red, tan, or orange. There are no white dots on red fox squirrels.
Red Squirrels
Just half the size of a gray squirrel is a small red squirrel. In the winter, this little tree squirrel sports gray-red fur; in the summer, orange-red fur. It has a white belly. Wintertime red squirrels develop tufts of fur on their ears. Other animals often chit chat or whistle loudly to frighten intruders into their territory. Red squirrels, sometimes known as pine squirrels, abound in the colder northern states. Living in pine trees appeals to them.
Ground Squirrels
Ground squirrels of several varieties abound in the United States. These small mammals enjoy excavating holes in open spaces like prairies. The white-tailed antelope squirrel is the smallest species living in the southwestern United States. It barely weighs 3.4 to 4 ounces. Among the more common species are the California ground squirrel, the thirteen-lined ground squirrel, and the spotted ground squirrel. Sometimes, these species inflict great harm on plants when they dig and chew in damaging ways.
Flying Squirrels
Flying squirrels of two types abound throughout the United States. Both northern and southern flying squirrels are these. Comparatively, this kind of squirrel is larger to the north of flying squirrels. Usually living higher up, it resides in Alaska, California, Arizona, Michigan, the Appalachians, and the Adirondack Mountains. From Florida, at the bottom of the eastern portion of the United States, the southern flying squirrel resides at the lower elevations. Though they only emerge at night, these really little squirrels are rare even if there may be more than gray squirrels.
What Is The Difference Between Grey Squirrel And Fox Squirrel?
Gray squirrels, known in the U.K., are more generally referred to as eastern gray squirrels in North America. Eastern gray and fox squirrels may confuse one another; their range over the United States is somewhat similar. These are two separate species of squirrels. Though they have some characteristics, both species show a range of variances.
Grey Squirrel Vs Fox Squirrel
| Grey Squirrel | Fox Squirrel | |
| Behavior | primarily crepuscular | diurnal |
| Fur | Brown Or dark gray fur | Silvery fur |
| Ear Size | Longer ears | Shorter ears |
| Weight | Weight 19 ounces | Weight 28 ounces |
| Tail | Bushy tail | Long Tail |
| Lives In | forests and urban areas | wooded areas and urban areas |
| Reproduction Time | December to February and May to June | January and June |
| Lifespan | Fox Squirrels that are raised in captivity can live for as long as 18 years. In the wild, females can live for 12 years or even longer, while males tend to have shorter lifespans due to different reasons. | Gray squirrels usually hang around for about six years in the wild, but they can chill for up to 20 years if they’re in captivity. |
Appearance
Since they belong to the same species, the bodies of eastern gray and fox squirrels have somewhat similar elemental composition. Under closer inspection, though, they are not precisely the same. With 28 ounces, the average fox squirrel weighs far more than the average eastern gray squirrel, which weighs only 19 ounces. On fox squirrels, more hair develops on the ears, extending their fur. Eastern gray squirrels mostly have gray-brown hues. On a gray backdrop, a fox squirrel mostly has red or orange as its color.
Behaviour
Fox Squirrels are active during the day and catch some Z’s at night. Gray squirrels are usually more active during the early morning and late afternoon, so they’re busy around those times.
Both species’ adults often hang out in the same den when it gets chilly, and the females stick around with their young ones while growing up. They usually don’t chat with each other except when they’re hanging out at the bird feeders. Neither species is super territorial, but they’ll look out for their homes and food.
When nothing happens, they just chill in their nest or hang out on a tree branch. They stay pretty clean and take some time for it every day. They typically hit the hay early and snuggle into a little ball before night falls.
Fall is when things get super hectic for them as the chilly weather kicks in, and they start looking for places to stash food for the winter. They begin munching more and packing on some extra fat to make it through the winter. They won’t hit the hay, even when it’s super chilly outside, but they might just stay in their nest for a few days here and there.
Range and Habitat
Foxes and eastern gray squirrels hang out in places that overlap. You’ll spot them all over the eastern U.S. and southern Canada. The fox squirrel hangs out in northern Mexico and has made its way to other spots in North America.
Both types mostly hang out in trees, which is what arboreal means. They do come down to grab some food, though. But you can spot them in other forested areas or anywhere with plenty of trees. They enjoy hanging out in the woods.
Reproduction
Usually, eastern gray squirrels have a couple of babies each year. The prime times for breeding are between December and February and then again from May to June. Fox squirrels can hook up anytime throughout the year, but January and June are typically peak breeding months. A female can have two litters a year but usually has one. Eastern gray squirrels usually have two to eight babies in a litter, while fox squirrels typically have one to six kids.
Diet
Both types of animals munch on many different things, but fox squirrels mix it up with their diet, chowing down on nuts, seeds, leaves, grains, fruits, insects, moths, eggs, and even dead fish or birds. Eastern grays can be a bit fussy about their preferences. Some trees, like oak, walnut, hickory, and pecan, drop nuts, seeds, and buds they enjoy munching on. They’ll munch on frogs, eggs, baby birds, bugs, and dead animals. During the fall and winter, when food gets a bit hard to find, both species stash away nuts and seeds they can later dig up and munch on.
Final Words
It’s fascinating to see the differences in their characteristics and behaviors when comparing gray squirrels vs. fox squirrels. While gray squirrels are known for their adaptability and resourcefulness, fox squirrels stand out with their striking appearance and larger size. Each squirrel species brings unique charm to the natural world, adding diversity to our surroundings. Whether you’re a fan of the acrobatic gray squirrel or the majestic fox squirrel, observing these creatures in their habitats will bring joy and appreciation for nature’s wonders.
