“As long as the earth endures, seedtime and harvest, cold and heat, summer and winter, day and night will never cease.” – Genesis 8:22 NIV
“A fox squirrel can have a white tail due to a recessive genetic trait called leucism, or because it’s an albino. In order for a squirrel to inherit a recessive trait such as a white tail, both of its parents need to have the genes for a white tail to inherit it.”
We’ve been watching our old man fox squirrel for some years now. He looks large and in charge; there’s just something about him. He’s always alone and still fast on his feet. Most often we see him moving close to the ground into the fields. If he thinks we are watching him, or moving closer, or driving down the driveway he immediately scurries into the woods. There’s also a proverb: White squirrels can symbolize the coming of change, the need to prepare for it, or good luck.
Personally, I don’t like change. I might enjoy a small change; usually something that I chose to change which isn’t often.
The fox squirrels are rather playful, especially with other fox squirrels. From the kitchen window I saw movement along the top railing of the wooden fence beyond the little lake. At first, I thought it may be a deer moseying along with its back high enough to reach the top rail. Time to get the binoculars. Deer do walk along the fence and often jump over or under, but this sighting was of two reddish brown fox squirrels playing follow the leader along the fence railing. Neither of these had a spot of white tails.
There are two species of squirrels in Mississippi-the Eastern fox squirrel and the Eastern gray squirrels. According to Mississippi Wildlife, Fisheries, & Parks the gray squirrel is the most numerous and widely distributed. Some squirrel subspecies have declined substantially due to predators, land management, hunting, lack of foodstuff, and disease. On the downside, squirrels can carry diseases and transmit them to humans. They are also a host for ticks, fleas, and mites. So even if you could get close to a wild squirrel you probably shouldn’t.
There was a time when “flying squirrels” were a nuisance even though they are cute as can be. Living at another house I would hear flying squirrels somehow drop from the attic down through the laundry drop. I’d find them and they welcomed me to release them into the woods. They learned the choice was between me or the cat and readily chose me.
We hadn’t seen any flying squirrels in quite a while, Sam found a family of flying squirrels nesting in a bluebird box as well as an attic. According to “Pet Squirrels Legal States 2024” Mississippi allows pet squirrels if they are flying squirrels. Mississippi was listed as a permit state for nongame Class 1 wild animals. Check it out at the MWFP before you take in your little flying critter.
Shannon Bardwell is a writer living quietly in the Prairie. Email reaches her at [email protected].
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Quality, in-depth journalism is essential to a healthy community. The Dispatch brings you the most complete reporting and insightful commentary in the Golden Triangle, but we need your help to continue our efforts. In the past week, our reporters have posted 44 articles to cdispatch.com. Please consider subscribing to our website for only $2.30 per week to help support local journalism and our community.
