DNREC asking for public to submit sightings of Delmarva Fox Squirrels
DELAWARE – The Delaware Division of Natural Resources and Environmental Control is trying to keep tabs on a subspecies of squirrel that you’ll only find on Delmarva. They need the public’s help to do that.
The critter in question is the Delmarva Fox Squirrel. DNREC is asking people to report any sightings in the first state. “They fill a special need for our environment that we don’t necessarily understand the ins and outs of. A lot of people will say ‘Well, squirrels are all over the place.’ But this species is not all over the place in Delaware,” said wildlife biologist for the Division of Fish and Wildlife Holly Niederriter.
The Delmarva Fox Squirrel population has been increasing in Maryland because of conservation efforts, but they are still very rare in Delaware. “It might be seen in places where we don’t know that they exist. That’s the most important thing. The second most important thing is getting a really good description, and if possible, a photograph to verify,” said Niederriter.
Delmarva Fox Squirrels are about one and half times bigger than your average Eastern Gray Squirrel. They are silver in color, tend to have a thicker neck, and have short, round ears and large, fluffy tails. Niederriter says recent translocation efforts have boosted Delmarva Fox Squirrel populations in the Assawoman Wildlife Area and Redden State Forest.
The squirrels were taken from areas in Maryland, collared, and dropped in Delaware. But, Niederriter says some of those squirrels have gotten out of their collars. “Some of them we do know about because we’ve put cameras out in the woods. We do kind of know where those are, but we’d like to get more information and expand from there,” she said.
Once squirrel sightings start rolling in, Niederriter says DNREC will begin mapping out where the squirrels live. She says that’s especially important to keep track of during translocation and conservation efforts. “It will help give us an idea of what resources they’re using because sometimes they can surprise us. We think they really need old growth forests. But sometimes they’ll use a habitat that seems less suitable,” said Niederriter.
Niederriter adds that hunters should be especially careful this season. She asks that they should look twice before they shoot at a squirrel, to make sure it’s not a Delmarva Fox Squirrel. “Especially at Prime Hook and Nanticoke Wildlife Area, most of the squirrels they see should have a collar on them, which will hopefully stand out. But, they still should be careful,” said Niederriter.
If you think you’ve spotted a Delmarva Fox Squirrel, DNREC asks that you provide a description that’s as detailed as possible. If you can get a picture of the squirrel, that will only help them to confirm the squirrel’s subspecies. To submit Delmarva Fox Squirrel sightings, click here.
