The eastern fox squirrel is one of the larger tree squirrels in Oregon, but it is not from here. It is native to the eastern and central United States and was introduced to cities in the West. In Oregon it has been recorded in Multnomah, Clackamas, Washington, Marion and several other counties, mostly in urban areas or near nut orchards.
Fox squirrels are buff to orange above with a rusty underside, short rounded ears without tufts and a full, flattened tail. They are active by day all year, especially early and late. In autumn they spend much of their time on the ground, burying nuts and acorns one at a time in scattered caches. Seeds they forget can sprout, so fox squirrels help shape which trees grow.
They eat mainly nuts and seeds, along with leaves, fruit, fungi, insects and bird eggs. Females usually raise one litter a year of two or three young.
Extension wildlife specialists consider it invasive in Oregon because it crowds out native tree squirrels. Around Mt. Hood, expect it near towns, farms and orchards at the lower edges of the forest rather than deep in the conifers.
How to identify it
A large tree squirrel about 18 to 27 inches long including the tail, with buff to orange-brown upperparts, a rusty orange belly, short rounded ears without tufts and a bushy, flattened tail.
Look-alikes
Douglas's ground squirrel also climbs trees but has a gray-brown back speckled with pale spots and lives in burrows. The fox squirrel's orange tones and rusty belly give it away.
Habitat
Towns, parks, neighborhoods, nut orchards and nearby woods at low elevations, favoring deciduous and mixed trees that produce nuts and acorns.
Sightings in the forest
37 research-grade sightings in Mt. Hood National Forest on iNaturalist, most recently on October 16, 2026. See them on iNaturalist →