By Cindy Walker Burton

I snapped photos of a fox squirrel at the park recently and was compelled to conduct some basic research (animaldiversity.org). The charismatic, cunning fox squirrel is the largest species of tree squirrel native to North America. They can grow up to 23 inches long and weigh three to four pounds. Fox squirrel fun facts: their ankles can rotate a full 180 degrees; when they are too hot they sweat through their paw pads; they can leap 15 feet horizontally between branches; and they can free fall 20 feet or more to the ground without getting hurt.

To trick other squirrels or birds that are watching them, fox squirrels will conduct “fake burials.” They dig a hole, pretend to drop a nut and bury it while secretly holding the nut in their mouth. Athletic, acrobatic, clever as a fox. And you thought fox squirrels were known only for their beautiful bushy tails!