Delmarva fox squirrels moved to Delaware are having babies
DNREC moved 123 squirrels from Maryland to three Sussex County sites from 2020 to 2024. Biologists have now documented reproducing females at all three sites and squirrels born in Delaware.
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DNREC moved 123 Delmarva fox squirrels from Maryland to three Sussex County sites between 2020 and 2024, WBOC reported. Biologists have now documented reproducing females at all three sites, and squirrels born in Delaware.
The releases include the Redden State Forest area near Georgetown. The 123 animals are the ones that were moved. The new finding is that those populations are producing young, including a generation born in the state.
For the classroom
Delmarva fox squirrels are big squirrels that Delaware wanted back in its woods. From 2020 to 2024, the state agency DNREC moved 123 of them from Maryland to three places in Sussex County, including the Redden State Forest area near Georgetown. Biologists have now found mother squirrels raising young at all three sites, including squirrels born in Delaware. That means the moved animals are not only surviving. They are starting a new generation. The 123 is how many were moved, and three is the number of release sites.
- Why move wild animals from one state to another?
- How can scientists tell that squirrels are having babies?
- What is the difference between animals that were moved and animals born in the new place?
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