Different Types of Gray Squirrels

The term "gray squirrel" can refer to any one of four species of the genus Sciurus: eastern gray squirrels, western gray squirrels, Arizona gray squirrels or Mexican gray squirrels. Most squirrels in the United States are gray squirrels, although some can have black or white fur. Other squirrel species are frequently mistaken for gray squirrels.

  1. Squirrels

    • Squirrels belong to the scientific family Sciuridae. This family is very diverse, with 278 species, and its members are found all over the world. The term "gray squirrel" actually refers to at least four different species of the genus Sciurus, the tree squirrels. Fox squirrels (Sciurus niger) are sometimes mistaken for gray squirrels, although they are much larger and reddish in color. Squirrels do not normally exhibit sexual dimorphism (that is, the males and females look alike).

    Eastern Gray Squirrel

    • The eastern gray squirrel (Sciurus carolinensis), as its name implies, is found throughout the eastern United States. It has also been introduced into Canada and to four countries in Europe: Italy, Scotland, England and Ireland. Eastern grays have white bellies and their tails appear to be "frosted" in white. They are medium in size (15 to 21 inches, nose to tail) and communicate with each other using a series of calls and tail flicking.

    Western Gray Squirrel

    • The western gray squirrel (Sciurus griseus) lives only in the western United States, including Washington, Oregon and California (some have also been found in a very small area of Nevada). Western grays are silver-gray with long, bushy tails of the same color and have large ears without tufts. They are somewhat larger than eastern gray squirrels, at 18 to 24 inches, nose to tail. When they sense danger, they bark, flick their tails and stamp their feet.

    Arizona Gray Squirrel

    • The Arizona gray squirrel (Sciurus arizonensis) lives in the mountains of Arizona, as well as in parts of western New Mexico and northern Mexico. Arizona grays have tails that are black on top and brown or white underneath, with a rim of black on the sides. Their total body length from nose to tail averages 21 inches, and these are relatively silent squirrels, only barking when they sense danger.

    Mexican Gray Squirrel

    • Found in Guatemala and eastern and southern Mexico, the Mexican gray squirrel (Sciurus aureogaster) is also known as the red-bellied squirrel for the reddish fur on its belly. These squirrels can sometimes be black in color. Mexican grays reach 17 to 22 inches in length, nose to tail.