Saturday, April 14, 2012

Fox or Squirrel?

This little fellow was scampering all over the grounds at Brookgreen Gardens near Myrtle Beach, SC. I didn't know what he was at the time - other than a squirrel, that is!  Upon questioning someone there at the gardens, I was told it was a fox squirrel.  It is the largest tree squirrel in the US.  They range in color from black with white ears and noses, black and brown, or the classic grey with a black mask, white ears and nose.  In this phase, they look like a raccoon, giving them another name, the coon squirrel. He certainly was cute - a bit elusive though!





And off he goes...faster than a speeding bullet!


Linking to Misty's Camera Critters.

27 comments:

Ann, Chen Jie Xue 陈洁雪 said...

there is no squirrel in New Zealand, in Malaysia, they are pests.

eileeninmd said...

Happy Weekend, Linda! It is a new squirrel for me, it has a cute face. Great sighting.

Anonymous said...

Cool! I've never seen one of those before....I love how he uses his tail to balance himself when he's up on his hind legs....Cute!

Pam (and Sam)

Dianna said...

I've never seen one of those either! Glad you found out about it!

EG CameraGirl said...

Definitely different from any squirrel I have ever seen before!

Jan n Jer said...

Wow...first time seeing this kind of squirrel. He does resemble a raccoon!

TexWisGirl said...

wow! such unique coloring! thanks for sharing! have never seen that before!

Carletta said...

I've never seen one of these. He seems to have a complex about what he wants to be. :)
What a cute face though!

Simon said...

Fox squirrel. Hmmm. We ain't got no fox squirrels 'round these parts. I'm good with that. It's enough with the gray squirrels, chipmunks, skunks, etc. Cool find. I like that speedy shot.

Lina Gustina said...

My first time to see this kind :)

lina @happy family said...

I'm so sorry, but I forget to leave my link here.

Great shots indeed!

PerthDailyPhoto said...

That last image made me laugh Linda, he looks like he's being chased by something scary! Super images.

SquirrelQueen said...

Great shots.
You must live in the Southern US. That looks like a Sherman's Fox squirrel. We have a different variety of the Fox squirrels here in SE Washington, you can see one on my header.
Through Squirrel Eyes

Cheryl said...

What an unusual animal. I'm sure these don't hang around up north. So glad to have seen it through your lens.

Hootin Anni said...

Almost...now granted, I say "almost" looks coon like. My goodness...what a unique critter. I've not seen anything like it before.

I know I'd say squirrel, and Bud would say fox....so, I'm just not gonna call him in here to see the images you've shared.

Hope your weekend is treating you superbly.

gtyyup said...

Great captures!! I've never seen one of those before...quite different looking!

VioletSky said...

what an odd looking face he has!

Powell River Books said...

I've never heard of a fox squirrel, but it is aptly named. - Margy

Kay L. Davies said...

I've never heard of such a critter, either. You got some great shots.

Kay, Alberta, Canada

Pix at Under the Oaks said...

He is a new and different squirrel for me! But he is cute :) Definitely has that squirrel tail that they seem so proud of. He has a different little face. Our Fox Squirrels in MO are brownish orange-ish :) And then there are the little grey and white guys like SQUEE!

Betty Manousos said...

omg, these are very cute shots!
i've had never heard of such a critter before.
absolutely loved seeing this, and thanks so much for sharing:)

xo

Betty Manousos said...

omg, these are very cute shots!
i've had never heard of such a critter before.
absolutely loved seeing this, and thanks so much for sharing:)

xo

Melbourne Australia Photos said...

Cute critter! You did a good job of capturing him, Linda.

Chubskulit Rose said...

He look like the squirrels we used to see in Korea.

Visiting late from Camera Critters, hope you can take a peek at my Bunny entry.

Cedar said...

Good job capturing him and what an interesting animal! Great job!

Andrea @ From The Sol said...

Very interesting. It amazes me the number of unusual critters we find if we venture away from our home base. It makes me want to go on the road ... think of all that we are missing by staying home. Great shots of an adorable Fox Squirrel.

Andrea @ From The Sol
http://www.fromthesol.blogspot.com

Pia said...

I never saw this animal before, it looks very special. What a big squirrel! Thanks for sharing!