If you see squirrels darting around every day, maybe you’ve wondered where they actually come from. Yep — a bunch of squirrel species are native to North America, though people have moved some around, so you’ll spot them outside their old stomping grounds too. Let’s dig into which squirrels really belong here, which ones hitched a ride, and why that matters for your favorite parks or backyard.
There are native tree squirrels, flying squirrels, ground squirrels — and it’s not always easy to tell who’s who. I’ll help you spot the differences and see how squirrels fit into the wild and the city.
Are Squirrels Native to America?
Squirrels have deep roots in North America. Many species evolved right here, while a few others arrived later on.
We can break down which species are truly native, which ones people introduced, and how humans have shifted their ranges.
What Makes a Species Native
A species is native if it arrived and evolved in a place naturally, without people moving it.
For squirrels, that usually means they’ve got a long fossil record or genetic ties to North America.
Take the eastern gray squirrel, the fox squirrel, or the American red squirrel — these guys have adapted to local trees, seeds, and the changing seasons.
You can spot a native squirrel by where it breeds, how long it’s lived in the landscape, and what the fossil or genetic evidence says.
Scientists have found fossils and DNA that put tree squirrels like the eastern gray and ground squirrels like the California ground squirrel in North America for millions of years.
Native squirrels fit into local food webs and often help spread seeds or break up soil.
Native and Introduced Squirrel Populations
Most squirrels you see in North America are native, but people have introduced some populations.
The eastern gray squirrel, for example, started out in the eastern U.S. and parts of Canada, but humans moved it into cities, western states, and even Europe.
Those gray squirrels sometimes outcompete native ones like the western gray squirrel and the American red squirrel.
You’ll also run into native tree squirrels (eastern gray, fox, western gray, Arizona gray) and ground squirrels (California ground squirrel).
Flying squirrels, like the northern and southern flying squirrel, are native too and have adapted to life in forest canopies.
Non-native squirrel populations usually show up after someone released them or they escaped from captivity.
The Role of Human Introduction
People have moved squirrels both on purpose and by accident.
Sometimes they brought gray squirrels to new areas for hunting or just because they liked seeing them in city parks.
These introductions can shake up local ecosystems.
For example, eastern gray squirrels can push out native squirrels by taking over food, nesting spots, or just more space.
Human land use plays a part as well.
Urban parks tend to favor adaptable squirrels like gray and fox squirrels.
When people clear forests or change the landscape, it can shrink the ranges of specialists like the western gray squirrel or some flying squirrels.
Conservation groups sometimes try to reintroduce or protect native squirrels, while wildlife managers may control non-native ones.
Distribution of Native Squirrels in North America
Native squirrel ranges depend on the species and the habitat.
Eastern gray squirrels stick to eastern and midwestern forests and lots of cities.
Eastern fox squirrels show up in open woods and urban areas across the eastern U.S.
Western gray squirrels live in Pacific coast forests, while Arizona gray squirrels hang out in the southwestern mountains.
Ground squirrels, like the California ground squirrel, prefer grasslands and open hills.
American red squirrels and Douglas squirrels love conifer forests.
Northern and southern flying squirrels stick to mature forests with tree cavities.
There are over 60 squirrel species across North America, each one tied to certain climates, trees, or elevations.
Types of Native Squirrels in America
North America’s got a wild mix of squirrels — some live in trees, some on the ground, and a few even glide through the night.
You’ll find them in oak woods, pine forests, and high-elevation groves, each with their own quirks and favorite foods.
Tree Squirrels: Species and Habitats
Tree squirrels include the well-known Eastern Gray (Sciurus carolinensis) and the bigger Fox Squirrel (Sciurus niger).
You’ll spot Eastern Grays all over cities and suburbs, especially where there are big old trees and bird feeders.
Fox Squirrels prefer open woods and parkland and spend more time foraging on the ground.
Other native tree squirrels are the American Red or pine squirrel (Tamiasciurus hudsonicus), Abert’s squirrel (Sciurus aberti) that sticks to ponderosa pines, and the Douglas squirrel (Tamiasciurus douglasii) in coastal conifer forests.
These squirrels eat acorns, conifer seeds, fungi, and buds.
They build nests in tree cavities or leafy dreys and stash food in scattered spots or big central piles.
Key habitats and foods:
- Oak-hickory forests — Eastern Gray, Fox Squirrel, lots of acorns.
- Coniferous forests — Red/Pine Squirrel, Douglas Squirrel, conifer seeds.
- Ponderosa pine stands — Abert’s Squirrel, bark and seeds.
Ground Squirrels, Chipmunks, and Prairie Dogs
Ground squirrels cover a wide group, including prairie dogs and marmots.
You’ll find them in grasslands, deserts, and even up in alpine meadows.
They dig burrows for shelter and raise their young underground.
In winter, they often hibernate or go into a deep torpor.
Chipmunks (yep, those tiny, striped ground squirrels) carry seeds in their cheek pouches and line their burrows with snacks.
Prairie dogs build huge towns with tunnels and have a whole language of social calls.
Marmots live high up and chow down on grasses and flowers during the short summer.
Traits to notice:
- Burrowing habits and those classic dirt mounds.
- Prairie dogs live in big social colonies, while most ground squirrels stick to themselves or small family groups.
- Many ground squirrels hibernate or go dormant when it gets cold.
Flying Squirrels and Their Unique Traits
Flying squirrels, like the Northern flying squirrel (Glaucomys sabrinus), Southern flying squirrel (Glaucomys volans), and Humboldt’s flying squirrel, have always fascinated me.
You probably won’t spot them during the day; they come alive at night, gliding from tree to tree with their patagium—a loose flap of skin stretched between their legs.
They love mature forests, especially those with plenty of nesting cavities.
Oak-hickory and mixed conifer stands seem to be their favorites.
Their menu’s surprisingly varied: fungi, nuts, tree sap, and the seeds they stash away for later.
If you listen closely near tree cavities, you might hear their soft chittering, or maybe you’ll stumble upon their food middens, packed with bits of fungus.
A few things set them apart:
- Their big, dark eyes help them see in the dark, and that flat tail? It’s perfect for steering.
- They don’t actually fly—they glide, sometimes for dozens of meters at a time.
- They play a big role in forest health by spreading fungal spores and moving seeds around.
