The Neighbor Squirrel These busy fluffballs have lost their fear
of most predators - and they help plant pecan trees. By Sheryl
Smith-Rodgers Have you ever watched an eastern fox squirrel
(Sciurus niger) bury an acorn or pecan? A nuzzle here, another
there, then he hurriedly pushes the leaves and grass over the
site before scampering up the closest tree. Minutes later, he's
back with another nut. Over the course of three months, that
industrious squirrel can bury several thousand pecans. Come
winter, when food's scarce, he'll find them again with his
excellent sense of smell. Some will escape his appetite, though,
and sprout into saplings, which is how many native nut trees get
planted. Eastern fox squirrels - the state's most common and
wide-ranging squirrel and a popular game animal, too - occur in
forests and riparian habitats. They also easily adapt to cities
and neighborhoods, where they've lost most of their fear of
natural predators. "Playing the call of a red-tailed hawk didn't
phase squirrels on camp