You probably see squirrels darting around every day, but have you ever wondered which ones actually come from North America? Most of the squirrels you spot here—tree squirrels, ground squirrels, flying squirrels—are part of the Sciuridae family, and a surprising number are native to this continent. That’s a handy thing to know if you’re trying to figure out whether the squirrel in your backyard is a local or some recent arrival.
As you read on, you’ll see how these native groups differ in behavior and habitat. You’ll also find out where to spot species like the eastern gray, fox, flying, and ground squirrels.
Pay attention to clues like tail shape, size, and where they hang out—those details often give away which North American squirrel you’re looking at.
Major Types of Native North American Squirrels
You’ll run into three main groups, each with their own habits, looks, and favorite places to live. Each group includes familiar species you might see in your yard, deep woods, or maybe even at night.
Tree Squirrels: Arboreal Species Overview
Tree squirrels fall under the subfamily Sciurinae and spend most of their lives in the trees. You can spot them by their big, bushy tails and strong back legs—perfect for jumping. Some classic examples: Eastern Gray, Fox, American Red, Douglas, and Abert’s squirrels.
They eat nuts, seeds, fungi, buds, and sometimes even bird eggs. Most make leafy dreys or tuck themselves into tree cavities for nests.
If you’re trying to ID a tree squirrel, check out its size, tail color, ear tufts, and where it’s living. Red squirrels look small and feisty, while fox squirrels are bigger and often forage on the ground.
Eastern Grays thrive in cities, but Western Grays and Abert’s need big, old forests.
Ground Squirrels: Underground Dwellers
Ground squirrels, part of the tribe Xerinae, spend most of their time underground in burrows. You’ll meet all sorts—prairie dogs, marmots, and chipmunks all count as ground-dwelling members of the squirrel family.
They dig complex tunnels with storage rooms and lots of exits. Their diet includes seeds, roots, insects, and greens.
Some hibernate or slow down in winter, while others keep active if the weather’s mild.
Chipmunks are the tiny ground squirrels you see zipping into holes, cheeks stuffed with food. Marmots and prairie dogs live in colonies and use sharp alarm calls. If you’re hiking in the woods, keep an eye out for those striped chipmunks.
Flying Squirrels: Gliding Natives
Flying squirrels are the night owls of the Sciuridae family, gliding from tree to tree with a stretchy membrane called a patagium. The main North American gliders are the Northern, Southern, and Humboldt’s flying squirrels.
You’ll know them by their big eyes and soft fur, but honestly, you usually need to catch them at night or peek into a nest box.
They can glide up to 100–150 feet, snacking on fungi, nuts, lichens, and even sap.
Flying squirrels often huddle together in nest cavities during winter to stay warm. Scientists recently split up some species by genetics, so if you’re really into them, check for regional differences.
Notable Native Squirrel Species and Where to Find Them
Here’s a quick rundown of common North American squirrels—where to find them and how to spot them. Each entry lists key ID features, favorite hangouts, and behaviors that make them stand out.
Eastern Gray Squirrel (Sciurus carolinensis)
Eastern Gray Squirrels are medium-sized, with gray fur, a white belly, and a bushy tail. You’ll see them all over cities, parks, and mature hardwood forests in the eastern U.S. and southern Canada.
They make themselves at home in yards and bird feeders, nesting in tree cavities or leafy dreys.
Eastern Grays stash nuts by scatter-hoarding. Watch for them foraging at dawn or dusk.
In western states, they often show up as introduced competitors to native squirrels—sometimes a sign that the ecosystem’s changing. Want more details? Check out this North American squirrel species guide.
Western Gray Squirrel (Sciurus griseus)
Western Gray Squirrels are bigger and more purely gray than their eastern cousins, with a white belly and long tails. You’ll find them along the Pacific Coast and in oak-pine woodlands from Washington to California and Baja.
They stick to big trees and usually avoid dense city centers.
Western Grays mostly stay in the trees, munching on acorns, pine nuts, and fungi. Habitat loss and competition from Eastern Grays threaten them, especially up in Washington. If you spot one, you’re probably in an older oak or mixed-conifer forest.
Fox Squirrel (Sciurus niger)
Fox Squirrels are among the biggest tree squirrels around. Their color can range from rusty orange to gray-brown, depending on where you are.
You’ll find them in open woods, parklands, and suburbs all over the U.S., especially the Midwest and parts of the South.
They spend more time on the ground than most tree squirrels, using both leafy nests and tree cavities. Look for their large size, orange tail fringe, and ground-foraging habits. Their color varies a lot, so local ID can get tricky.
American Red Squirrel (Tamiasciurus hudsonicus)
American Red Squirrels are small, reddish, and bold, with white bellies and a noisy, chattering call. You’ll find them in boreal and mountain conifer forests across Canada, Alaska, and northern U.S. mountains.
They fiercely defend small territories around cone stashes called middens.
Red squirrels rely on spruce and fir cones and often sound the alarm with repeated calls. Some subspecies, like the Mount Graham red squirrel, face tough conservation problems—so spotting one means you’re in healthy conifer woods.
Abert’s Squirrel (Sciurus aberti)
Abert’s Squirrels have gray bodies, white undersides, and those long ear tufts in winter that make them easy to pick out. You’ll only find them in ponderosa pine forests in the Southwest and parts of northern Mexico.
They mostly stick to elevations with lots of ponderosa pines.
Abert’s Squirrels eat pine seeds, inner bark, and fungi, relying heavily on healthy ponderosa forests. The Kaibab variant, found near the Grand Canyon, looks especially unique. If you’re in ponderosa stands, look and listen high up in the canopy.
Douglas Squirrel (Tamiasciurus douglasii)
Douglas Squirrels are small, with dark backs, orange bellies, and a narrow dark stripe along the flank. You’ll spot them in coastal and mountain conifer forests from the Pacific Northwest down to northern California.
They prefer mature forests loaded with cones.
Like red squirrels, Douglas Squirrels build cone middens and defend their turf. If you see one, you’re probably in higher-elevation fir or spruce woods along the coast or in the Cascades.
Southern and Northern Flying Squirrels
Southern (Glaucomys volans) and Northern (Glaucomys sabrinus) Flying Squirrels glide from tree to tree using a patagium stretched between their limbs.
You’ll find Southern Flying Squirrels in eastern hardwood forests, and Northern Flying Squirrels in boreal and mountain conifer woods. Humboldt’s Flying Squirrel (Glaucomys oregonensis) lives along the Pacific Coast and looks a lot like the Northern species.
They’re nocturnal, so you probably won’t see them during the day. Sometimes you’ll catch them at dusk or hear them rustling near nest cavities.
Watch for big eyes, silent glides, and—if you’re lucky—groups sharing a nest in winter. Nighttime surveys or nest-box checks work best to confirm which species you’ve found.
California Ground Squirrel (Otospermophilus beecheyi)
California Ground Squirrels are chunky, mottled gray-brown critters common in grasslands and hills in California and nearby areas. You’ll find them in burrows near roadsides, pastures, and parks.
They stand up on their hind legs and flick their tails when they feel threatened.
These squirrels are active during the day and eat seeds, plants, and insects. You might notice colonies with lots of burrow entrances. Their presence usually means you’re in open, grassy places with good soil for digging.
Thirteen-Lined Ground Squirrel (Ictidomys tridecemlineatus)
Thirteen-Lined Ground Squirrels are small, with bold stripes—dark and light—running down their backs. You’ll see them in short-grass prairies, lawns, and farm fields across the central U.S. and into Canada.
They live in shallow burrows and spend most of the year hibernating.
These squirrels eat seeds, bugs, and even small animals. They often pop up suddenly, then dash back to their burrows. Look for them basking low in sunny patches or making quick, sharp runs across open ground.
Rock Squirrel (Otospermophilus variegatus)
Rock Squirrels are big ground squirrels with mottled fur and a blunt face. You’ll spot them in rocky canyons, cliffs, and desert edges throughout the Southwest and Mexico.
They use crevices and ledges for dens instead of digging deep tunnels.
Rock Squirrels can get pretty bold around people in parks and will munch on plants, seeds, and even small animals. If you see one, you’re probably in dry, rocky country with lots of exposed stone.
Arctic Ground Squirrel (Urocitellus parryii)
Arctic Ground Squirrels live in tundra and cold alpine meadows across Alaska and northern Canada. You’ll find them in open tundra with good drainage, where they dig sprawling burrow systems.
They hibernate for long stretches and pack on a lot of fat before winter.
Arctic Ground Squirrels eat grasses, roots, and whatever insects they can find. Spotting one usually means you’re in a high-latitude or high-elevation spot with a short, hectic summer for feeding and breeding.
Notable Regional Variants and Melanistic (Black) Squirrels
You’ll find all sorts of regional squirrel variants, from island or mountain subspecies to those striking color morphs—like the melanistic “black” squirrels.
People often spot these black Eastern Grays in parts of the northeastern U.S. and Canada. In some cities, these darker squirrels actually seem to have a bit of an edge.
Local variants might look different in size, ear tufts, or tail color. Sometimes, they’re just isolated populations that conservationists keep an eye on.
If you notice odd behavior, unusual habitats, or you’re right at the edge of a squirrel’s range, take a closer look. You might be seeing a special variant, an introduced group, or maybe even a species that needs protection.
