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The fox squirrel is named for the fox-like color on its magnificent tail. (Photo by Sarah DeLong)

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Streeeetch! Fox squirrels love nuts, insects, seeds, buds, and pilfered fast food. (Photo by Sarah DeLong)

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So close! (Photo by Sarah DeLong)

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At last — success! (Photo by Sarah DeLong)

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The fox squirrel is found throughout Iowa and most of the Midwest. (Photo by Sarah DeLong)

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“Whaddaya want?” Grinnell squirrels are assertive to say the least, and exhibit personality to spare. (Photo by Sarah DeLong)

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Grinnell’s squirrel contingent seems to be thriving, as demonstrated by this solid citizen. Fox squirrels are Iowa’s largest squirrels. Experts say they range from about 10–15 inches in length, and can weigh up to three pounds (anecdotally, Grinnell squirrels can weigh a lot more). (Photo by Sarah DeLong)

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It’s a tightrope act, but no sweat for this guy. (Photo by Grant Dissette ’12)

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“Really? You don’t say!” Students frequently become fond of the squirrels, who often boldly take food directly from human hands. (Photo by Grant Dissette ’12)

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“Scratch where it itches.” (Photo by Grant Dissette ’12)

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“I know I left it in here somewhere!” Squirrels make their nests in holes in trees, or build the big round leafy balls visible among the branches. (Photo by Grant Dissette ’12)

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Up close and personal. (Photo by Grant Dissette ’12)

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“I’m a handsome devil, aren’t I?” February is mating season for the squirrels, which accounts for all the wild activity in mid-winter, including high-speed chases and daring leaps from branch to branch and tree to tree. (Photo by Ben Gordon ’11)

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“Bet you couldn’t hang upside down like this!” (Photo by Ben Gordon ’11)

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Many gardeners and birdfeeding enthusiasts can attest to the cleverness of these rodents. A Grinnell faculty member of the early 20th century left us this story of the squirrels of his day: “Last year some hazelnuts brought home one day were spread out on a level area of roof to dry in sun and air. The village squirrels discovered them in surprisingly short time and made spirited and frequent predatory excursions to the store. The antics of the squirrels were worth far more than the nuts.” (Selden Lincoln Whitcomb describing Grinnell, Iowa in 1902) (Photo by Stephanie Puls)

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At home in the trees. (Photo by Stephanie Puls)

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Squirrels don’t hibernate, but they do spend more time in the nest when the weather gets cold. (Photo by Stephanie Puls)

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“Got anything to eat?” (Photo by Stephanie Puls)

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The fox squirrel’s beautiful tail provides a useful counterweight for acrobatic leaps from branch to branch. (Photo by Stephanie Puls)

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Secret Agent Squirrel! (Photo by Jim Heemstra)

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Grinnell College isn’t the only campus in Iowa where squirrels seem to have the upper hand. On the website Campus Squirrel Listings, Joseph Bauer reports: “The University of Iowa was the first state-supported institution of higher education to admit squirrels on an equal basis with humans. They now constitute about 8 percent of the student body … Here in Iowa City we know that the squirrels here have a the highest graduation rate in the Big Ten and finish consistently higher in most of the squirrel polls.” (Photo by Jim Heemstra)

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“Grinnell squirrels stick religiously to the 100-mile diet.” (Photo by Jim Heemstra)

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“Looking good!” (Photo by Jim Heemstra)

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Ins & Outs, a Grinnell admission publication, once reported that Grinnell College was home to 476,704,685,230 squirrels. Several readers responded, concerned that the campus was some 20 feet deep in squirrels. (Photo by Jim Heemstra)

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“I’m ready for my closeup!” (Photo by Jim Heemstra)

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