Eastern Fox Squirrel (Sciurus niger)

Eastern Fox Squirrel, a reference photo — Photo: USFWS Mountain-Prairie · Public domain

The fox squirrel (Sciurus niger), also known as the eastern fox squirrel or Bryant's fox squirrel, is the largest species of tree squirrel native to North America. It is sometimes mistaken for the American red squirrel or eastern gray squirrel in areas where the species coexist, though they differ in size and coloration. The word Sciurus came from the ancient Greek words skia, meaning shade, and oura, meaning tail. Niger refers to the black coloration.

From Wikipedia, under CC BY-SA 4.0.

Is it venomous or poisonous?

We have no record of Eastern Fox Squirrel being toxic, poisonous or venomous. That is not proof that it is safe. Never eat, touch or handle a wild plant, mushroom or animal on the strength of an identification; ask someone qualified.

Easily confused with

Sciurus carolinensis

Classification

Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Mammalia
Order: Rodentia
Family: Sciuridae
Genus: Sciurus
Species: Sciurus niger

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