Q: Do you know the name of this animal I saw driving in Milton, Florida? It hopped like a big furry gray squirrel in the tall grass on the roadside, but it was at least 5 times bigger, had dark red and black fur with white cheeks? I am not sure if the whole face was white. My husband says it's a fox, but it didn't have a pointed nose. -- Colleen

A: Colleen, it's very possible that you saw a fox squirrel. So both you and your husband are sort of right!

Fox squirrels are said to be common in the area where you were traveling, in northwestern Florida (the "Panhandle"). They also match your description quite well.

EcoFlorida profiled Florida squirrels in the spring 2002 issue.

Consider yourself lucky for having seen a fox squirrel. They aren't as common as the gray squirrels you mentioned, which seem happy to live in backyards and parks. Other species of fox squirrels like the Sherman's (a species of special concern) and the Big Cypress (a threatened species) are even much less common.

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