Fox Squirrel
Photo: Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA
One of the earliest wildlife encounters of the expedition occurred when Lewis’s dog Seaman caught squirrels swimming across the Ohio River in September 1803 – a remarkable mass migration event. Lewis later noted various squirrel species throughout the journey, including the “whistleing squirrel” (prairie dogs or ground squirrels) of the plains and a squirrel “of the speceis common to the Rocky Mountains.” The squirrel swimming migration was one of the most vivid early journal entries.
Where it’s being seen today
12 research-grade iNaturalist observations between 2024–2026. Most recent: 2026-02-15. Sourced from Terrain360 trail captures, cached locally.
Journal References
15 journal entries mention Fox Squirrel