You’ll run into three main groups of squirrels: tree squirrels, ground squirrels, and flying (or gliding) squirrels. These groups include almost every squirrel species out there, and each one comes with its own quirks, sizes, and favorite hangouts. That means you can usually figure out which kind you’re watching pretty quickly.
Tree squirrels scamper up trunks and stash food in clever places. Ground squirrels dig, build colonies, and pop up like little sentinels. Flying squirrels? They glide through the night, drifting from tree to tree. You’ll meet some standout species from different parts of the world and see what makes each one a little different.
Main Types Of Squirrels
In most places, you’ll see three main kinds of squirrels: ones that live in trees, ones that stick to the ground, and those that glide between branches. Each group has its own look, habits, and favorite spots.
Tree Squirrels
When folks think of squirrels, they probably picture tree squirrels first—long bushy tails, strong back legs, and sharp claws for climbing. Most of these belong to the subfamily Sciurinae. You’ll spot common ones like the eastern gray and the red squirrel.
They stash nuts in tree hollows or bury them in the dirt. During the day, they dart around using sharp eyesight and crazy-good balance.
Tree squirrels use their tails to balance and sometimes curl them up for warmth or shelter from rain. In cities, you’ll find them living in attics, bird boxes, or leafy parks.
If you want to catch a glimpse, check out oak and walnut trees in autumn. You can usually tell the species by their size, ear tufts, or the color of their fur.
Some groups, like Callosciurinae in Asia, get a lot more colorful—honestly, some of them look wild.
Ground Squirrels
Ground squirrels spend most of their lives on or under the ground. You’ll find them in the tribe Marmotini, subfamily Xerinae, which includes prairie dogs, marmots, and chipmunks.
They dig burrows for sleeping and storing food. A lot of them live in colonies and call out warnings if something’s up.
You’ll notice they have chunkier bodies and shorter tails than their tree-loving cousins. Many ground squirrels hibernate or just take it easy during the cold months.
Their diet includes seeds, roots, and sometimes insects. By digging and moving seeds, they actually shape grasslands in ways you might not expect.
If you’re out in meadows or rocky spots, look for little mounds or burrow entrances. Sometimes, you’ll see one standing up, keeping watch.
Some ground squirrels like company, while others prefer to keep to themselves and guard their turf.
Flying Squirrels
Flying squirrels can’t really fly, but they sure can glide. They use a stretchy skin flap, the patagium, between their legs to sail from tree to tree. These night-time gliders belong to tribes like Pteromyini in Sciurinae.
You’ll find them in old forests with tall trees—perfect for long glides. Their big eyes help them see in the dark. They nest in tree hollows or build leafy nests up high.
Gliding helps them dodge predators and reach food like nuts, fruit, and fungi that’s spread out.
If you want to spot one, try listening for soft sounds at dusk and look for nests in old trees. Flying squirrels move seeds and fungi around, so they’re actually pretty important for healthy forests.
Notable Squirrel Species Around The World
Here’s a quick look at tree squirrels, ground squirrels, and flying squirrels from around the world. I’ll give you some ID tips, where they live, and what makes them stand out.
Common Species In North America
You’ll see the eastern gray squirrel (Sciurus carolinensis) a lot in parks and suburbs. It’s got a bushy tail, gray fur, and white belly.
The fox squirrel (Sciurus niger) is bigger, more orange-brown, and likes open woods and yards.
The American red squirrel (Tamiasciurus hudsonicus) is smaller, reddish, and fiercely guards its stash of conifer seeds.
Douglas squirrels (Tamiasciurus douglasii) live on the West Coast and look a lot like red squirrels, but they hang out in old-growth conifer forests.
Among ground squirrels, you might find the rock squirrel (Otospermophilus variegatus) on rocky cliffs in the Southwest. The thirteen-lined ground squirrel (Ictidomys tridecemlineatus) has stripes and lives in prairies.
Richardson’s ground squirrel (Urocitellus richardsonii) and Belding’s ground squirrel (Urocitellus beldingi) both dig burrows in grasslands and mountain meadows.
You might also spot the western gray squirrel (Sciurus griseus) and Arizona gray squirrel (Sciurus aberti), which both stick to certain western habitats and tree types.
Unique Squirrels In Asia And Africa
Asia is home to some really colorful and big tree squirrels. The Indian giant squirrel (Ratufa indica), or Malabar giant squirrel, has bold fur patterns and lives in southern Indian forests.
The red giant flying squirrel (Petaurista petaurista) is huge and glides between tall trees at night. Prevost’s squirrel (Callosciurus prevostii) has striking tricolored fur and lives in Southeast Asian forests.
Some smaller Asian species include the red-bellied tree squirrel (Callosciurus erythraeus) and Finlayson’s palm squirrel (Callosciurus finlaysonii), both common around gardens and plantations.
The northern palm squirrel (Funambulus pennantii) is a familiar sight in South Asia and city parks.
Africa has its own tiny specialists, like the African pygmy squirrel (Myosciurus pumilio), which might be the smallest squirrel out there, living high in the rainforest canopy.
Cape ground and bush squirrels (Paraxerus spp.) adapt to savannas and woodlands. You’ll see different color patterns and behaviors depending on the local trees and food.
Smallest And Largest Species
On the tiny side, the African pygmy squirrel (Myosciurus pumilio) barely reaches 6–10 cm in body length. You’ll usually spot it darting along thin branches; it almost never comes down to the ground.
Some Asian dwarf tree squirrels, like certain Callosciurus species, also stay small and zippy. They seem perfectly built for speed and agility.
Now, for the giants: the Indian giant squirrel (Ratufa indica) can stretch out over 50 cm, tail included. Its fur? Wildly multicolored—honestly, it’s hard to miss.
Giant flying squirrels, such as the red giant flying squirrel (Petaurista petaurista), have big bodies and those wide gliding membranes. They use these to leap between trees at night, which is kind of impressive if you think about it.
Marmots and a few ground squirrels in the Xerinae subfamily also grow surprisingly large compared to your average tree squirrel.
Size really shapes how these animals live. The tiniest ones cling to twigs, eating insects and fruit. The largest squirrels stick to branches and trunks, nesting there and stashing bigger foods like nuts.
