Present Status and Habitat Survey of the Delmarva Fox Squirrel (Sciurus Niger Cinereus) with a Discussion of Reasons for its Decline

Although the Delmarva fox squirrel was once distributed through southeastern Pennsylvania, Delaware, the Eastern Shore of Maryland, and two counties in Virginia, it now occurs only in portions of four Eastern Shore counties in Maryland. This study has shown that the Delmarva squirrel prefers forest habitat areas with an open understory. This trait has also been demonstrated for other subspecies of fox squirrels. It is postulated that lumbering and development have been major determinants in reducing the numbers of the Delmarva fox squirrel.