If you’re curious about squirrels in Canada, you’re not alone. Plenty of species call this country home, not just one.
The most widespread native types include the American red squirrel and several tree and ground squirrels that pop up in forests and even in city parks across Canada.
As you read on, you’ll pick up tips on where each lives, how to spot the differences, and what makes each one stand out.
I’ll share some easy ways to identify them, details about their favorite hangouts, and a few oddball behaviors. You might even figure out which species is raiding your bird feeder or darting across your path on a hike.
Native Squirrel Species in Canada
Canada’s got a surprising variety of squirrels, from nut-hoarding tree dwellers to ground squirrels that dig elaborate burrows.
You’ll spot both day-active tree and ground squirrels, and if you’re lucky (or up late), you might even glimpse a flying squirrel gliding by at night.
Tree Squirrels: Eastern Gray, American Red, and Douglas Squirrel
You’ll probably notice the eastern gray squirrel first if you’re in a city or an eastern forest. It hangs out across Ontario, Quebec, and the Maritimes, thriving in parks and oak woods. Gray squirrels munch on nuts, seeds, and buds, and they’ll dig up their food stashes through the snow in winter. Here’s a link for more on the eastern gray squirrel at the Canadian Wildlife Federation.
The American red squirrel (Tamiasciurus hudsonicus) is smaller and honestly, kind of feisty. You’ll hear its sharp chatter and spot its reddish fur. Red squirrels stick to conifer forests and get pretty protective over their middens full of cones and seeds.
On Canada’s west coast, you’ll find the Douglas squirrel (Tamiasciurus douglasii) in coastal conifer forests. It lives in British Columbia and nearby spots. It looks a lot like the red squirrel but prefers Douglas-fir and hemlock forests, and it hides its conifer seeds in scattered caches.
Flying Squirrels: Northern and Southern Flying Squirrel
Flying squirrels don’t actually fly, but they do glide between trees using a loose flap of skin. You probably won’t see them during the day since they’re nocturnal. The northern flying squirrel (Glaucomys sabrinus) lives in boreal and mixed forests across Canada. It relies on tree cavities and eats a lot of fungus, which helps spread spores for tree roots.
The southern flying squirrel (Glaucomys volans) barely makes it into Canada, mostly in southern Ontario. It prefers mature hardwood forests with lots of tree cavities. Both species use gliding to dodge predators and reach food without dropping down to the ground.
Ground Squirrels: Richardson’s, Arctic, Columbian, and More
Ground squirrels dig into grasslands, tundra, and mountain meadows. Richardson’s ground squirrel (Urocitellus richardsonii) lives on the Prairies and creates colonies of burrows. You’ll often hear their sharp alarm calls.
The arctic ground squirrel (Urocitellus parryii) survives in the tundra. You’ll spot them fattening up for hibernation. The Columbian ground squirrel (Urocitellus columbianus) prefers alpine meadows in western Canada. The thirteen-lined ground squirrel (Ictidomys tridecemlineatus) sports stripes on its back and lives in southern prairie and grassland patches.
Other relatives in the squirrel family—like chipmunks, marmots, and prairie dogs—also dig burrows and share that ground-dwelling lifestyle.
Habitats, Behavior, and Unique Features of Canadian Squirrels
You’ll run into squirrels almost everywhere—forests, city parks, rocky outcrops—from British Columbia all the way to the Atlantic.
They make use of trees, ground burrows, and sometimes even human-made structures. Watch for behaviors like nut caching, territorial squabbles, and those unmistakable alarm calls.
Native Ranges and Habitat Preferences
Each species sticks to its own range. The American Red Squirrel shows up in most of Canada’s conifer forests and even on Vancouver Island.
Eastern Grey Squirrels mostly hang out in southern Ontario and Quebec, but they’ve also settled into parks in some western cities. Flying squirrels go for mature mixed and deciduous forests with tree cavities for nesting.
You’ll spot ground squirrels and chipmunks on open grasslands and rocky slopes. Urban areas attract gray and fox squirrels, especially to yards with big trees and bird feeders.
Food shapes their habitat choices: conifer cones lure red squirrels, while oaks and hickories draw in grey squirrels that love acorns and nuts.
Diet and Food Storage
Squirrels aren’t picky—they’ll eat nuts, seeds, fungi, fruit, buds, and sometimes even eggs or insects. Red squirrels focus on conifer seeds, while greys go for acorns and other mast crops. Flying squirrels snack on seeds, lichens, and moths at night.
Most tree squirrels scatter-hoard, meaning you’ll find lots of tiny nut caches buried around their territory. Red squirrels also build big central food stores called middens.
When squirrels forget their buried nuts, those seeds sometimes grow into new trees, which is a pretty neat way they help the forest.
Nesting, Dreys, and Shelter
Squirrels get creative with their shelters. Gray squirrels build dreys—messy, leafy nests tucked into tree forks—to stay warm.
Flying squirrels move into tree cavities or nest boxes to raise their young. Ground squirrels dig burrows with separate rooms for sleeping and storing food.
You might find dreys lined with moss and fur. If a nest gets disturbed, mothers will move their kits to a new spot.
In cities, squirrels sometimes set up shop in attics or shed eaves. Shelter choice depends on the season—insulated dreys for winter, shady tree holes or cavities for summer.
Adaptations, Predators, and Threats
Squirrels use their bushy tails for balance, warmth, and even as a warning flag when they flick it around. Those sharp incisors never stop growing, so it’s pretty common to spot them gnawing on wood or cracking open nut shells.
Flying squirrels? They glide quietly at night with the help of a stretchy membrane. It’s kind of amazing to watch.
Hawks, owls, foxes, snakes, and raccoons all hunt squirrels, especially the young ones. Baby squirrels, honestly, don’t stand much of a chance if a predator spots them.
Ticks sometimes latch on and can spread Lyme disease. In some places, squirrels have to deal with squirrelpox too.
Habitat loss and cars take a toll on their numbers. Introduced competitors push them out, making things even harder.
It’s best not to feed them junk food, and if you don’t want a wild roommate, just make sure your attic’s sealed up tight.
