You might think you’ll spot a squirrel in any park, but Australia’s a different story. No squirrel species are native to mainland Australia, so you won’t find wild tree squirrels hopping through eucalyptus forests.
Ever wondered why? Well, there’ve been a few introduction attempts, but strict biosecurity rules and some quirky native marsupials—like possums and gliders—mean squirrels never really made it here.
You’ll find out where squirrels do show up in Australia (mostly zoos, maybe the odd escapee), why they never settled in, and how native species have filled those treetop roles.
Let’s see what you’re actually spotting in the trees when you’re out for a walk in Australia.
Are There Squirrels in Australia?
You won’t see native tree squirrels living wild in Australia. People tried bringing in a few non-native squirrels ages ago, but they didn’t catch on, and today’s rules are super strict about new introductions.
History of Introduced Squirrel Species
Back in the late 1800s, folks brought a few squirrel species to Australian cities. The American gray squirrel ended up around Melbourne in about 1880.
The northern palm squirrel was released near Perth in the 1890s. People mostly did this to make parks feel a bit more like Europe or North America.
Those first populations didn’t last. The gray squirrels in Victoria eventually disappeared.
Palm squirrels mostly stuck around in zoos or private collections. Attempts to introduce red or fox squirrels didn’t work out, or authorities removed them pretty quickly.
If you want to dig deeper, there’s more info in this article: Are Squirrels in Australia?
Why There Are No Native Squirrels
Australia’s mammals evolved in isolation for millions of years. Marsupials ended up filling most of the small-mammal jobs that squirrels handle elsewhere.
Gliding marsupials—like the sugar glider and squirrel glider—look and act a bit like squirrels, which can fool people at first glance.
The climate has a lot to do with it, too. Much of Australia is dry or has open forests, not the dense woods squirrels prefer.
Native predators and competition from local species make it tough for a small non-native rodent to survive. Plus, there’s just no squirrel lineage here.
That’s really why you won’t find native squirrels in Australia.
Current Status and Legal Restrictions
Australia enforces strict quarantine and wildlife laws to keep out new pests. You’d need a permit to bring in animals like the American grey squirrel, red squirrel, fox squirrel, or northern palm squirrel—and those permits almost never get approved.
Authorities act fast if they spot a non-native squirrel, to stop them from spreading.
These days, you’ll pretty much only see squirrels in zoos or with private exotic collectors who have a license. The rules are tough because squirrels could harm native plants, bring in diseases, or outcompete local wildlife.
If you ever spot a wild squirrel, it’s best to report it to local biosecurity or wildlife officials so they can step in.
Native Australian Wildlife Often Mistaken for Squirrels
You’ll see small, tree-dwelling mammals in Australia that behave a lot like squirrels. They have bushy tails, climb with ease, and eat gum, sap, insects, or fruit.
Sugar Glider and Squirrel Glider
Sugar gliders (Petaurus breviceps) and squirrel gliders (Petaurus norfolcensis) are small marsupials that glide between trees using skin flaps called patagia.
Sugar gliders have a white belly and a black stripe down their back. They’re about 12–14 cm long, plus a long tail.
Squirrel gliders are a bit larger, with a fluffier tail and broader face. Both species are mostly nocturnal and munch on sap, nectar, insects, and sometimes small animals.
They glide—sometimes up to 50 metres through the canopy. You might hear their soft, high-pitched calls at dusk.
Unlike true flying squirrels (which are placental mammals), these gliders are marsupials, just like koalas and kangaroos. For more details on the squirrel glider’s appearance and where it lives, check out the Australian Museum’s page on the Squirrel Glider.
Common Brushtail Possum and Ringtail Possum
Common brushtail possums (Trichosurus vulpecula) and ringtail possums (Pseudocheiridae family) are the animals you’re most likely to mistake for squirrels in the suburbs.
Brushtails are about the size of a small cat, with thick fur and a bushy tail for balance. They forage at night for leaves, fruit, and sometimes your leftovers, and often make themselves at home in roof spaces.
Ringtails are smaller—about 30–40 cm including the tail—and have a prehensile tail that helps them grip branches.
They build leaf nests called dreys and mostly eat leaves, flowers, and fruit. Both are marsupials, so the mothers carry their young in pouches, which is totally different from how squirrels raise their babies.
You can find more about their habits and what they look like at the Australian Museum’s glider and possum resources.
Brush-Tailed Phascogale and Other Arboreal Mammals
Brush-tailed phascogales (Phascogale tapoatafa) are these small, carnivorous marsupials with a thin, brush-like tail. You’ll usually spot them darting around at night, hunting insects, small reptiles, and even birds’ eggs.
Honestly, their size and bushy tail can trick you—they almost look like tiny squirrels from a distance. It’s easy to do a double-take when you first see one up in the branches.
You might also come across other tree-dwelling mammals, like some small dasyurids and different possum species. These creatures often claim tree hollows for themselves, just like sugar gliders and brushtails do.
You won’t see kangaroos, koalas, platypus, or echidna up in the treetops. Still, they’re all part of Australia’s wild cast of characters that you could run into while wandering through a national park.
If you’re curious about how gliding marsupials stack up against flying squirrels, here’s a fun fact: gliders are actually marsupials, not related to placental squirrels at all (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Squirrel_glider).
