Much natural habitat for this Species of Special Concern in Florida has been altered or eliminated by human encroachment or allowed to deteriorate from lack of natural fires. Because of this habitat loss and modification fox squirrels no longer occupy many areas of Florida.
Gray squirrels are more common in urban areas and in habitats heavily altered by human activities.
In addition to the stricking morphological dissimilarity there are differences in habitat preferences. Sherman's fox squirrel reportedly occupies a more narrowly defined niche than the gray squirrel. Edwards et al. Gray squirrels prefer hardwood hammocks while fox squirrels prefer long leaf pine-savanna with turkey oak. See the discussion of Sherman's fox squirrel for a description of the nests of these species.