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Did you know that the squirrels you may see that in your backyard is not the only type of squirrel? In fact, there are over 200 squirrels around the world, including the fox squirrel (black squirrel). With so many species of squirrels, it can be difficult to see the small differences that make them unique. This fox-squirrel size comparison pits them against some of the most common types of squirrels, so you can see one thing that makes them special: their size!
Types of fox squirrels
Although the fox squirrel may not be the largest squirrel in the world – that honor goes to the red-and-white flying squirrel – there’s no doubt it’s a pretty big squirrel.
Including their tail, which is nearly half their length, fox squirrels can measure between 20 and 30 inches in length. That is almost as long as a house cat. Despite their height, fox squirrels are all barking and non-biting with a maximum weight of just 2 pounds – the same as 3 bananas! However, some subspecies can be larger, such as the Delmarva fox squirrel, which can weigh up to 3 pounds.
However, just as no species of squirrel is alike, not all fox squirrels are alike. In fact, in the United States, you can find as many as 12 different species of fox squirrels that can vary in size and color due to their different habitats. The 12 species of fox squirrels are:
- Southern fox squirrel (Sn Niger)
- Mangrove fox squirrel (Sn avicinnia)
- Perched fox squirrel (sn bachmanic)
- Texas fox squirrel (Sn limit)
- Delmarva fox squirrel (Sn cinereus)
- Pineywood’s fox squirrel (Sn ludovicianus)
- western fox squirrel (Sn rufiventer)
- Sherman’s fox squirrel (Sn Sherman)
- Delta fox squirrel (Sn subaura)
- Oriental fox squirrel (Sn Vos)
Human vs Fox Squirrel Size Comparison
While the fox squirrel may be one of the larger squirrels, especially in North America where they the biggest tree squirrel, you don’t have to worry about them getting too big for you fast.
At its largest, a fox squirrel will be just a little longer than your forearm (from your fingertips to your elbows). Their tail is about the same length, making a fox squirrel about the same length as your arm from nose to the very tip of their bushy tail. This is true of the Delmarva fox squirrel, but some subspecies can be a little smaller, just closer to the length of your forearm.
While a fox squirrel can be up to nearly 3 feet tall on all fours, you won’t even find them as tall as two feet standing up. A while ago, a photo spread many wondered if a fox squirrel could be the size of a one-year-old human, but experts helped explain that the height and length of a fox squirrel make a big difference – mainly because of their long, bushy tail!
When it comes to weight, fox squirrels don’t even measure a baby. After all, with an average newborn at 7.5 pounds, they are more than double the weight of even the largest fox squirrel.
While the fox squirrel may not compare in size to a human, being the largest tree squirrel in North America, do you know how they will measure up to some of the other most common squirrels out there?
Gray Squirrel Vs. Size fox squirrel
The state animal for North Carolina, gray squirrels (Sciurus carolinensis) are another large squirrel species. Although they are larger than other species, such as the red squirrel Also included in this fox squirrel size comparison, you will notice that their size is almost a nut when compared to the fox squirrel.
At their largest, including the tail, gray squirrels can grow up to 20 centimeters in length. That’s just 10 centimeters between the largest gray squirrel and the largest fox squirrel – about the same length as a sheet of paper. As for the smallest adult fox squirrels, they are about the same size.
However, if you were to put them on a platter, it could take as long as three gray squirrels to balance the scales with a fox squirrel.
Gray squirrels and fox squirrels have the same minimum tail length of about 8 inches. While gray squirrels are up to about 10 inches, fox squirrels can have tails up to 13 inches. That’s over a foot long!
Despite these differences, gray squirrels are one of the most common fox squirrel impostors. The best way to tell the difference is by coloring, as fox squirrels have a rust colored belly compared to white-bellied gray squirrels.
Red Squirrel Vs. Size fox squirrel
Of all the squirrels in North America, red squirrels can be easily identified by their smaller size compared to larger species such as the gray squirrel or the fox squirrel. A common animal in Europe and Asia, the red squirrel population is just starting to recover after the introduction of gray squirrels, which are invasive.
With a maximum weight of only 12 ounces, it can carry up to almost six red squirrels to weigh the same as the much larger fox squirrel. Even at their maximum weight, it takes four red squirrels to balance the scales.
At their longest length from nose to tail, red squirrels usually reach a limit of about 17 inches, nearly half of which is made up of their tails. At their smallest adult size, they are only about a foot long. If you compare the smallest red squirrel and the largest of the large fox squirrels, you will notice that it can take up to three red squirrels standing from nose to tail as long
a
s the fox squirrel.
The red squirrel has other aspects that make it special in addition to its small size compared to the fox squirrel. In fact, the red squirrel’s most distinguishing feature is their ear tufts, which can be up to 2 inches long — the same as two paper clips.
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