Source and Additional Information

Animal Diversity Web
 
Bridget Fahey
Some rights reserved

Primarily arboreal and diurnal. Generally, fox squirrels are not gregarious, although they come together during the breeding season when females are in estrus. Males have larger home ranges than females. Squirrels threaten one another by an upright stance with their tail over their back, followed by a quick flick of the tail. Scent-marking is another form of intra-specific communication used by fox squirrels. Vocalizations in the form of barks and chatters, distress screams, and high-pitched whines during mating are common. Fox squirrels are serially polygynous. Mating chases involve one female and a number of males, with the successful male guarding the female to prevent others from mating with her; males do not help in the raising of young.

Communication and Perception

Source and Additional Information

Animal Diversity Web
 
Bridget Fahey
Some rights reserved

Fox squirrels have excellent vision, even in dim light. They have well-developed senses of hearing and smell. Scent marking is used to communicate among fox squirrels. They use a variety of sounds to communicate, including barks, chatters, distress screams, and high-pitched whines during mating. Fox squirrels will threaten one another by standing upright with their tail over their back and flicking it. Fox squirrels also have several sets of vibrissae, thick hairs or whiskers that are used as touch receptors to sense the environment. These are found above and below their eyes, on their chin and nose, and on each forearm.