Sciuridae
 Sciurus niger
(fox squirrel)

Image Caption:
A female fox squirrel collects maple leaves for a drey (tree nest)  high in a pine tree.  The quality of fox squirrel nest construction vary considerably from a rough pile of leaves (Buamgartner, 1943, p. 202) to a sturdy shelter to protect young (Stoddard, 1919, p. 122).  Female squirrels usually build maternal nests high (> 6 m) in pine trees (Stoddard, 1919, p. 123).  The squirrel builds an outer support of cut twigs that encloses tightly packed large leaves, and lines the nest cavity with soft material such as shredded bark or leaves (Stoddard, 1919, p. 122).

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Fox Squirrel (Sciurus niger rufiventer) Collecting Maple Leaves for Nesting (Drey) Material

Works Cited:

Baumgartner, L. L.  (1943).  Fox squirrels in Ohio.  The Journal of Wildlife Management, 7:193-202.

Stoddard, H. L.  (1919). Nests of the western fox squirrel.  Journal of Mammalogy, 1:122-123.
Image Location: United States, South Dakota, Brookings
Image Date: 2010MAR02
Image Species: Sciurus niger rufiventer
(EXIF Information is accurate, stamped in UTC).

Web Page and Pictures By Peter Leitheiser
Updated: 2010APR13