Sciurus niger Squirrel Fox Skull Mammalia Rodentia Sciuridae

Description

Origin : U.S.A.

Size : cm 6.2

Fox Squirrel Skull Sciurus niger cm 6.2 Mammalia Rodentia Sciuridae, complete of mandible, cm 6.2, only a piece, as in photos.
Family: Sciuridae.
Common name: Eastern Fox squirrel or Bryant's Fox Squirrel.

The Fox Squirrel (Sciurus niger) is the largest species of tree squirrel native to North America. Despite differences in size and coloration, it is sometimes confused with the American red squirrel or the eastern gray squirrel in areas where the species coexist.
Its length reaches up to 76 cm, of which approximately half is due to the tail, with a maximum weight of over 1 kg. There is no sexual dimorphism in size or appearance.
Fox squirrels are most abundant in open forests with little understory vegetation. They have two types of shelter: nests of leaves between double-headed branches and burrows in natural hollows of natural trees or cavities created by woodpeckers or crows, which they often remodel. They also exploit human habitations for food sources and nesting sites.
Fox squirrels are strictly diurnal, non-territorial, and spend more time on the ground than most other tree squirrels. However, they are agile climbers and impressive jumpers.
They are not particularly sociable or playful; , but rather solitary and asocial, coming together only in the breeding season. They have a large vocabulary, notably consisting of an assortment of sounds not unlike those of some birds, and warn of approaching threats with screams of danger.
They form reserves by burying food for later consumption, preferring shelled and high-fat foods, such as acorns and nuts.
They normally produce two litters a year. Sciurus niger has been included in the list of invasive alien species of community interest since 2016. 10 subspecies have been recognized.