fox squirrel

noun

1. any of several North American arboreal squirrels varying in color and of an exceptionally large size.

fox squirrel

noun

1. a large squirrel, Sciurus niger , occurring in E North America

Word History and Origins

Origin of fox squirrel¹

An Americanism dating back to 1675–85

Example Sentences

Based on Baldwin’s 16 years of experience, did I have any viable options beyond accepting that my backyard would forever be shared with whatever eastern gray fox squirrels wished to have their run of it?

From Los Angeles Times

Ralph’s photo of a fox squirrel peering imperiously down from a tree is the winner of my 2023 Squirrel Week Squirrel Photography Contest.

From Washington Post

It was a newborn fox squirrel that Brian figured had fallen 25 feet from a nearby tree.

From Washington Post

In Hunt’s case, that means studying fox squirrels, Sciurus niger.

From Washington Post

Cognitive scientists and biomechanics experts at the University of California, Berkeley, set out to test both the agility and decision making of wild fox squirrels in a eucalyptus grove at the edge of the campus.

From New York Times