Fox Squirrel - Mortality

Mortality

In captivity, eastern fox squirrels have been known to live 18 years, but in the wild most fox squirrels die before they become adults. Their maximum life expectancy is typically 12.6 years for females and 8.6 years for males. Because of overhunting and the destruction of mature forests, many subspecies of fox squirrel (the Delmarva fox squirrel for example) are endangered. Another major cause of fox squirrel population decline is mange mite (Cnemidoptes sp.) along with severe winter weather.

Relatively few natural predators can regularly capture adult eastern fox squirrels. Of these predators, most only take eastern fox squirrels opportunistically. Eastern fox squirrel predators include: bobcats (Felis rufus), foxes (Vulpes spp. and Urocyon spp.), red-tailed hawks (Buteo jamaicensis), red-shouldered hawks (Buteo lineatus), great horned owls (Bubo virginianus), barred owls (Strix varia), and dogs (Canis lupus familiaris). Nestlings and young eastern fox squirrels are particularly vulnerable to climbing predators such as raccoons (Procyon lotor), opossums (Didelphis virginiana), rat snakes (Elaphe obsoleta), and pine snakes (Pituophis melanoleucus). In those states where eastern fox squirrels are not protected, they are considered a game animal. Eastern fox squirrels are hunted more for trophy than for food. Overharvest by hunting has been reported from small woodlots and public shooting areas in Ohio, Michigan, and Indiana.