Delmarva fox squirrel. DNREC photo
The Delmarva fox squirrel, a rare species in Delaware that has recovered in much of its regional range, has received another boost, with two male and two female squirrels translocated from Maryland to the Redden State Forest, north of Georgetown.
Delmarva fox squirrels are now abundant on the Eastern Shore of Maryland. Still, these large, silver-gray squirrels remain rare in Delaware, with only three established populations known in the state.
Delaware’s populations of Delmarva fox squirrel are all in Sussex County, with one population the result of translocations to Assawoman Wildlife Area in the fall of 2020 and spring of 2021, another the result of a translocation to Prime Hook National Wildlife Refuge in the 1980s and a third, naturally occurring population, at the Nanticoke Wildlife Area and surrounding lands. The squirrels released at Assawoman Wildlife Area this past spring and last fall appear to be thriving, with the Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control Division of Fish and Wildlife noting at least one female produced young this past summer.
Unlike many of its squirrel relatives, the Delmarva fox squirrel is very slow to expand its range. In 2014, the Division of Fish and Wildlife developed a plan to increase the number of Delmarva fox squirrels in Delaware.  The plan includes translocating at least 15 squirrels to Delaware next spring.
Translocations, habitat management and land protection have helped Delmarva fox squirrel populations recover regionally to the extent that the species was removed from the federal endangered species list in 2015.
“Delaware landowners should not be concerned if they see the Delmarva fox squirrels on their property,” DNREC said in announcing the translocation. “Since Delmarva fox squirrels are no longer a federally listed endangered species, program restrictions on habitat impacts are no longer applicable. However, hunting Delmarva fox squirrels in Delaware is prohibited since they are still a state-listed endangered species.”
Eastern gray squirrel and Delmarva fox squirrel. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service graphic
Delaware does have a hunting season for eastern gray squirrels, so it’s important know how to  distinguish them.
some info
Share this Post