Squirrel Species in the Western U.S.

Squirrels, a family of medium-sized rodents, are easily identified by their bushy tails and their habit of living in trees. They live throughout the world, including Europe, Asia, North and South America and even Africa. A number of squirrel species can be found throughout the Western regions of the United States.

  1. Western Gray Squirrel

    • This squirrel species is found along the western coasts of Canada and the United States. It is divided into three different subspecies, each of which is found in a different region of the American West. They can dwell in forests up to 2,000 feet in elevation, and although they do spend time on the ground foraging they prefer to travel distances via trees. Shy creatures, they will emit a hoarse bark when disturbed. They take longer to mature than other squirrel species.

    Fox Squirrel

    • The largest squirrel species in North America, this squirrel goes by several other names, including raccoon squirrel and red squirrel. They are found throughout North America, ranging from Canada to the Northeast and as far west as the Dakotas, Colorado and Texas. The fox squirrel has a varied diet and will eat seeds, fruits and buds, grain, as well as lizards and snakes. They reach maturity after a year and have been known to live up to 18 years in captivity.

    Eastern Grey Squirrel

    • Although native to the Eastern regions of the United States and southern Canada, the Eastern grey squirrel has been introduced into the West, where it continues to live and thrive. Although they often appear gray in color, they can also have a reddish tinge to their fur. There is also a black variety which can often be found in urban areas. This squirrel is often described as a scatter-hoarder, because it hides numerous caches of food in various places, which it then recovers at a later time.

    California Ground Squirrel

    • This ground squirrel is found throughout the Western United States, where it is common in Oregon and California, as well as Washington and Nevada. The upper fur is a mottled mix of gray and brown, while the underside is buff or grayish yellow. Like other ground squirrels they dig burrows, which are sometimes used as communal dwellings. In the colder areas of California this species will hibernate although it will also stay active all year in warmer areas. Predators of this species include rattlesnakes and the ground squirrel has developed a number of defenses, including immunity from poison in some adults, as well as disguising their scent using rattlesnake skins.