Gray Fox or Black Squirrel | a 7 Image Story Around the Midwest, most squirrels are gray squirrels. Still, large numbers of fox squirrels also make the Midwest their home. Then, of course, pockets of blacks squirrels also share the habitat. So, are they really all different species? For years, I thought the fox squirrel and black squirrels were just different colored gray squirrels. Well, not so!
Although colors vary a bit, gray squirrels tend to be grey with a brownish tinge. They tend to have a whitish belly with a frosty white tail. They are much smaller than fox squirrels and their tails tends to be shorter and less bushy. Fox squirrels tend to be reddish-brown or brownish-grey with a rusty brownish-orange belly. They are also much larger than gray squirrels and tend to have longer coats, bushier tails and more hair on their ears.
Black squirrels are not common in the Midwest with only one black squirrel in every 10,000 squirrels. Black squirrels are a product of a genetic fault caused by interspecies breeding between the gray squirrel and the fox squirrel. The black squirrel is actually a gray squirrel with a faulty pigment gene from the fox squirrel that makes their fur darker. To make it even more complicated, some fox squirrels are also black.
Fox Squirrel Portrait This cute fox squirrel stopped just long enough to capture the image. Notice the reddish brown fur and the bushy ears, which are indicative of the fox squirrel. Gray Squirrel Profile This gray squirrel really stands out. Notice the grey coat with a tinge of brown particularly on its head and its off white tummy. Also, its ears look pinkish brown and its tail seems to be smaller and flatter than the fox squirrel. Fox Squirrel Tail This fox squirrel is the perfect example of the species with its reddish brown coat, long bushy tail, full furry ears, and a light brown belly. Nice of him to stop for a moment on the branch and pose for the close up shot. Black Squirrel Black squirrels are actually grey squirrels with a genetic fault caused by interspecies breeding between the gray squirrel and the fox squirrel.
Each image will be posted individually this week with a bit more narrative under category Gray Fox or Black Squirrel.
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