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squirrel

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From: Diane Kruep City: O'Fallon, IL
WE WERE FISHING AT LAKE OF EGYPT IN SOUTHERN IL THIS WEEKEND. WE SAW ONE OF THE HUGEST LOOKING SQUIRRELS WE HAVE EVER SEEN CLOSE TO THE EDGE OF WATER IN FOREST. BODY WAS ONE FOOT LONG AND TAIL WAS ABOUT A FOOT. RED IN COLOR AND STOMACH A LIGHT YELLOW NOT WHITE. WEIGHT AT LEAST TWO POUNDS MAYBE MORE. WHAT TYPE OF SQUIRREL WAS THIS?
	Extension Message From: Laura Kammin Visiting Extension Specialist, Pollution Prevention Extension-Illinois-Indiana Sea Grant College Program lkammin@illinois.edu
My guess is that you saw an eastern fox squirrel. They are typically 17 to 23 inches long (including the tail) and weigh between one to two and a half pounds. Their fur has a reddish cast and is lighter on the underside.
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