You might be surprised by just how many kinds of squirrels share the planet with us. Scientists have identified about 268 species of squirrels, divided into tree squirrels, ground squirrels, and flying (gliding) squirrels. These little creatures turn up everywhere, from rainforests to city parks.
Stick around and you’ll get a feel for how researchers sort these species into families and tribes. Ever wondered what lets a flying squirrel glide instead of fly? Or which squirrel you’re most likely to see near your home? I’ll share practical ID tips and some fun facts about the most interesting species from around the world.
Classification of Squirrels: Main Types and Families
Squirrels belong to the family Sciuridae, part of the order Rodentia. There are three main groups, and I’ll break down how they live and which familiar critters (like chipmunks and marmots) count as squirrels.
Tree Squirrels: Arboreal Acrobats
Tree squirrels spend most of their lives up in the branches. You’ll spot them in parks and cities, munching on nuts, seeds, buds, or fruit.
These squirrels have slim bodies and those iconic bushy tails that help them balance and communicate. With strong claws and flexible ankles, they can scamper down tree trunks headfirst or leap between branches—pretty impressive, right?
Most backyard squirrels belong to this group. They build nests called dreys out of leaves or tuck themselves into tree cavities.
Tree squirrels stay active during the day. When they forget where they’ve buried nuts, they end up planting new trees—so, in a way, they’re accidental gardeners for your neighborhood.
Ground Squirrels: Burrowers of the Wild
Ground squirrels live on or under the ground. You’ll find colonies with tunnels that offer shelter and a place to raise their young.
This group includes chipmunks, prairie dogs, and marmots. They look stockier and have shorter tails than their tree-loving cousins.
Ground squirrels eat seeds, grains, insects, and sometimes even small animals. Many act social and sound alarm calls if a predator shows up.
You might spot them in meadows, fields, or even some city parks. Their digging changes the soil and plant life, so if you see disturbed ground, there’s a good chance ground squirrels are nearby.
Flying Squirrels: Gliders of the Forest Canopy
Flying squirrels don’t actually fly—they glide. A stretchy flap of skin called a patagium connects their limbs and lets them soar from tree to tree.
Most flying squirrels come out at night. Their big eyes and soft fur make them perfect for life up in the forest canopy.
They glide to find food like nuts, fruit, or fungi while steering clear of ground predators. These squirrels usually nest in tree cavities.
Some species even carve grooves into nuts so they can wedge them between twigs to store for later. You won’t see them as often in cities, but if your neighborhood has mature trees, you might just share the night sky with them.
Notable Squirrel Species Around the World
Let’s check out some well-known tree squirrels, ground-dwellers, and gliding species that stand out for their range, size, or quirky habits. I’ll include names, where they live, and a couple of details that might help if you spot one.
Famous Tree Squirrels by Region
In eastern North America, you’ll often see the eastern gray squirrel (Sciurus carolinensis) or the fox squirrel (Sciurus niger). The gray prefers parks and suburban trees, while the fox squirrel is bigger and likes open woodlands.
The native American red squirrel (Tamiasciurus hudsonicus) fiercely guards its seed stashes in conifer forests.
On the West Coast, the Douglas squirrel (Tamiasciurus douglasii) hangs out in coastal conifers, and the western gray squirrel (Sciurus griseus) prefers oak woodlands.
If you’re in the Southwest, you might run into the Arizona gray squirrel (Sciurus aberti), which depends on ponderosa pine seeds.
Across Eurasia, the red squirrel (Sciurus vulgaris)—sometimes called the Eurasian red squirrel—lives from Britain to Siberia. In South and Southeast Asia, you’ll find the Indian giant squirrel (Ratufa indica) and the black giant squirrel (Ratufa bicolor). Both are big and have striking fur.
The variegated squirrel (Sciurus variegatoides) and Prevost’s squirrel (Callosciurus prevostii) show off bold colors in Central and Southeast American forests. In Mexico, keep an eye out for the Mexican gray (Sciurus aureogaster) or Collie’s squirrel (Sciurus colliaei).
Unique Ground Squirrels and Their Habitats
In California and nearby states, the California ground squirrel pops up along grasslands and roadsides.
The thirteen-lined ground squirrel (Ictidomys tridecemlineatus) prefers grassy prairies and shows off a pattern of light and dark stripes down its back.
The arctic ground squirrel (Urocitellus parryii) survives in the tundra and hibernates through long, cold winters.
You’ll also find larger burrowers like the groundhog (a type of marmot), which digs tunnels in fields and forest edges. The alpine marmot (Marmota marmota) lives in high mountain meadows across Europe.
Prairie dogs and other Xerinae ground squirrels help shape grassland ecosystems with their colonies. If you look closely, you might spot food middens or burrow entrances—these mark the spots where ground squirrels stash their supplies or take shelter.
Remarkable Flying Squirrel Species
Flying squirrels don’t actually fly—they glide. In North America, you’ll usually find two main gliders: the southern flying squirrel (Glaucomys volans) and the northern flying squirrel (Glaucomys sabrinus).
The southern is pretty small. It often makes its nest in tree cavities, especially near oaks.
The northern flying squirrel prefers mature conifer forests. It’ll even munch on lichens and fungi when it gets the chance.
Over in Eurasia, the Siberian flying squirrel (Pteromys volans) glides between old-growth trees at night. That’s kind of magical, isn’t it?
Asia’s forests are home to some big gliders, like the red giant flying squirrel (Petaurista petaurista). These guys stand out with their long tails and wide patagia.
You’ll also find tiny species, like the African pygmy squirrel (Myosciurus pumilio) and the neotropical pygmy squirrel. They usually stick close to tree trunks and don’t glide very far.
If you ever spot a flying squirrel, look for a flat body, a wide membrane, and those silent, low glides between the trunks. It’s easy to miss them if you’re not paying attention!
