Sciuridae
 Sciurus niger
(fox squirrel)

Image Caption:
A winter adapted fox squirrel eats an acorn.  To decrease heat loss, pelage (fur) becomes thicker throughout the body, and the ears, soles of feet (Koprowski, 1994), and nose become furred.  Also, in December fox squirrels are most massive (Havera, 1979), probably due to a layer of fat which further decreases heat loss.

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Fox Squirrel (Sciurus niger rufiventer) Winter Pelage (Fur)
Works Cited:

Havera, S. P.  1979.  Energy and nutrient cost of lactation in fox squirrels.  The Journal of Wildlife Management, 43:958-956.

Koprowski, J. L.  (1994).  Sciurus niger.  Mammalian Species (479).  The American Society of Mammalogists.  (University of Arizona Link).

Image Location: United States, South Dakota, Brookings
Image Date: 2008DEC06
Image Species: Sciurus niger rufiventer
(EXIF Info is accurate – stamped in UTC).

Web Page and Pictures By Peter Leitheiser
Updated: 2009JAN01