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FOX SQUIRREL VS RED SQUIRREL

Written by Colby Maxwell
Updated: November 11, 2022
© Menno Schaefer/Shutterstock.com
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Listen to Article
 1. Animals Home
 2. All Animals
 3. Mammals
 4. Squirrels
 5. Fox Squirrel vs Red Squirrel

There are many different species of squirrel natively found in the Americas,
Europe, Asia and Africa. Squirrels are small rodents generally between 10 cm and
20 cm tall, although some species of squirrel-like marmots and prairie dogs
around the size of a small beaver.
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The fox squirrel and the American red squirrel are extremely similar creatures
with overlapping ranges. As such, these squirrels are often mistaken for one
another. Telling them apart can be tough, but thankfully, they have some
distinct differences. Let’s compare the Fox Squirrel vs Red Squirrel to see what
makes them unique!




COMPARING A FOX SQUIRREL AND A RED SQUIRREL

Fox squirrels and red squirrels differ in size, distribution, and habitat
preferences.

©A-Z-Animals.com

Fox SquirrelRed SquirrelSizeLargest of all American tree squirrels. Usually,
20-30 inches long.Smaller than most North American squirrels. Usually 10-15
inches long and are slightly larger than a chipmunk.AppearanceThree colorations
across regions: brown-grey to brown-yellow is most common, Appalachians have
dark brown and black colors with white stripes, and southern squirrels are
uniformly black.Rusty red with a white underbelly.DistributionEastern United
States into Canada. As far west as Kansas and the Great Plains.Canada, Alaska,
the Rocky Mountains, and the Northeastern United States.HabitatOpen forest with
little understory brush or undergrowth.Year-round territory of conifer forests,
but has recently been expanding into hardwoods.DietLocation dependent. Mostly
tree buds, insects, tuners, bulbs, and seeds.Granivores, but specialize in
conifer seeds. Common foods include spruce seeds, mushrooms, berries, and even
bird eggs.


THE 5 MAIN DIFFERENCES BETWEEN A FOX SQUIRREL AND A RED SQUIRREL

The main differences between fox squirrels and red squirrels are their size,
coloration, and distribution.



Fox squirrels and American red squirrels are relatively common across the United
States. Although they aren’t as common as the gray squirrel, they have a similar
range and appearance. These arboreal squirrels are often confused with one
another.

The fox squirrel is generally recognized as the largest arboreal squirrel in the
United States. They can reach lengths of 30 inches (including the tail), far
larger than their cousin, the red squirrel. American red squirrels (not to be
confused with European red squirrels) are larger than a chipmunk but are quite
small compared to the much larger fox squirrel. They usually only reach 10-15
inches long.

Aside from size, the fox squirrel and red squirrel have extremely similar
proportions. Both have fluffy fur, bushy tails, and the overall characteristics
that one would expect from a squirrel. Importantly, fox squirrels are not flying
squirrels as many people think of them. Although similar in proportions and body
shape, both squirrels come in different colors, especially according to the
regions they can be located.



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Let’s explore these differences, plus a few more, in detail below.


FOX SQUIRREL VS RED SQUIRREL: SIZE

The tail of a fox squirrel measures almost as long as its body.

©JustPixs/Shutterstock.com



The fox squirrel is usually recognized as the largest tree squirrel in North
America. On average, they can measure 20-30 inches long, including the tail.
Incredibly, they can even weigh up to 2.5 lbs in certain places, although
western squirrels are normally smaller.

The American red squirrel is on the smaller side of the tree squirrels in North
America. Generally, they measure 10-15 inches long, including the tail, and they
are a little larger than the average chipmunk.


FOX SQUIRREL VS RED SQUIRREL: APPEARANCE

Red squirrels (Sciurus vulgaris) are known for their striking orange-red fur.

©seawhisper/Shutterstock.com



The fox squirrel is quite variable in appearance, especially moving from region
to region. There are 10 distinct subspecies, each with a slightly different
appearance. The most common coloration for a fox squirrel is grey-brown or
yellow-brown with a reddish-orange tail and a brownish-orange belly. In the
Appalachians, they are known to be dark brown and black with white bands on
their heads and tails. In the south, they are known to be uniformly black.

The American red squirrel is a rusty-grey color with white bellies. Their tails
are darker red and are often ringed in a dark black, giving them a “fiery”
appearance.


FOX SQUIRREL VS RED SQUIRREL: DISTRIBUTION

Fox squirrels are found across most of the United States and central Canada.

©Nico Giuliani/Shutterstock.com



The fox squirrel is extremely widespread. They can be found through most of the
eastern United States, into the prairie regions of central Canada, west into
Colorado and Texas, and have been introduced along the west coast, albeit
unnaturally.

American red squirrels have a more northerly range than the fox squirrel. They
are generally found in Canada, Alaska, the Rocky Mountains, and the Northeastern
United States. Their most southerly range is in northern Arizona at the terminus
of the Rocky Mountains.


FOX SQUIRREL VS RED SQUIRREL: HABITAT

Since they mostly eat pine nuts, red squirrels are found in coniferous forest
stands.

©Giedriius/Shutterstock.com



Fox squirrels are pretty variable in their habitat, but they have a preference.
They almost always prefer large forest stands with little understory growth and
floor vegetation.

Red squirrels have a habitat that reflects their diets. Since they mostly eat
pine nuts, they are found in coniferous forest stands. They have been recently
expanding into hardwood forests and showing new, adaptive behaviors.


FOX SQUIRREL VS RED SQUIRREL: DIET

Fox squirrels eat nuts, fruits, berries, fungus, and more.

©Vaclav Matous/Shutterstock.com



The fox squirrel is a variable eater with a diet similar to the grey squirrel.
Additionally, their diets change with the region in which they live. Still, they
mostly prefer tree buds, insects, tuners, bulbs, and seeds.

Red squirrels are more selective in their diets. They generally prefer conifer
seeds, with white spruce seeds making up 50% of a red squirrel’s diet in many
populations. Additionally, they eat other seeds, buds, mushrooms, and berries.


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 * What Is a Group of Squirrels Called?
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--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


THE FEATURED IMAGE

© Menno Schaefer/Shutterstock.com

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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About the Author

COLBY MAXWELL

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Colby is a freelance writer from Charlotte, North Carolina. When he isn't
distracted by his backyard birdfeeder, you can find him camping, exploring, and
telling everyone around him about what he's recently learned. There's a whole
world to learn about and Colby is content to spend his life learning as much as
he can about it!


Thank you for reading! Have some feedback for us? Contact the AZ Animals
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