Fox Squirrels

This video shows a fox squirrel jumping through and balancing on tree branches. The squirrel’s actions are possible thanks to the squirrel’s tail for balancing and whiskers in its legs. The tail moves up, down and sideways, (like looking for a direction to jump). Also, the squirrel uses its legs to balance, sometimes resting the mid legs on top of the branches.

• What physical characteristics of the fox squirrel help it move, climb, and jump swiftly through branches? 

• How do fox squirrels use their senses to detect where and how to jump without falling or tripping? 
• Are there any other animals that could do similar acts?

Students could:

• Observe all the motions of the fox squirrel with prompting questions such as: What does the fox squirrel do when balancing? What parts of its body does it move? How does it move them? 
• Ask students to describe the squirrel’s different motions. For example, students should notice that the tail moves up, down and sideways, (like looking for a direction to jump). Also, the squirrel uses its legs to balance, sometimes resting the mid legs on top of the branches. 
• Investigate how these body parts actually work to help the squirrel balance, jump, and also survive.
• Study how other animals use their senses to survive. They can compare animals to figure out that they use their senses in different ways, for different responses. For example, squirrels use their tail to communicate with other squirrels, distract predators, and for balance while jumping on trees. How do dogs use their tails? How about cats? How about rabbits?

• Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) | 7 Cool Things You Should Know About Squirrels: Article containing facts about squirrels in Iowa.
• Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) | Southern Flying Squirrel: The flying squirrel does not truly fly, but glides through the air, up to 80 yards (meters) or more, from the top of one tree down to the trunk of another. It flies with its legs outstretched and the fold of skin (patagium) between foreleg and hind leg acting as a combination parachute and sail (or glider wing).
• Animal Diversity | Fox Squirrel: Besides providing basic information about fox squirrels, this article also talks about the impact these animals have on forestation and humans.
• Welcome Wildlife | All About Fox Squirrels and Gray Squirrels: Most complete information about fox squirrels, including how they use their traits to survive.