All of the Types of Squirrels

Squirrels are a large group of mammals that can be found throughout most of the world, except for Australia, Antarctica, New Zealand and Madagascar. There are hundreds of species of squirrels. Some sources report 200 species and others put it closer to 350 species. They are divided into three categories: ground squirrels, tree squirrels and flying squirrels. The different species of squirrels are foun within each category.

  1. Ground Squirrels

    • Ground squirrels are so named because they nest in burrows in the ground. The majority of all squirrels are ground squirrels, including chipmunks, prairie dogs, rock squirrels, California ground squirrels and the thirteen-lined ground squirrel. Like all squirrels, ground squirrels eat a varied diet of much more than nuts. They typically eat seeds, roots, leaves, mushrooms and insects as well. Though adult squirrels are independent and usually live alone, ground squirrels will band together in the cold to keep warm and work together to warn each other of danger with their high-pitched whistle.

    Tree Squirrels

    • Tree squirrels make their nests in tree holes or between branches. The most common tree squirrels are grey squirrels and fox squirrels, Eurasian red squirrels and tufted-eared squirrels. Every state in the U.S. has specific types of tree squirrels as well. Though tree squirrels do run along the ground, they run up a tree when they perceive danger. Tree squirrels eat nuts, acorns, berries, eggs and baby birds. They are also the squirrels you see eating from your backyard bird feeder.

    Flying Squirrels

    • Flying squirrels do not really fly, but can glide long distances from tree to tree with the aid of a membrane of attached skin between their front and back legs. By raising their front legs out to the sides, the membrane opens out and acts like a parachute as they jump and glide. There are approximately 50 species of flying squirrels living in the forests and grasslands around the world. The U.S., however, has only two species: the Northern flying squirrel and the Southern flying squirrel. They live in nests or tree holes and are nocturnal.

    Fun Facts

    • Squirrels cannot always be easily identified by their appearance. For example, the grey squirrel can be a variety of shades of grey or brown, and also all white or all black. Red squirrels can also be all black. The thirteen-lined ground squirrel is often mistaken for a chipmunk. Up close, its lines are alternating brown and white or yellow and tan, if you can get close enough to count them. The Columbian ground squirrel sleeps seven to eight months of the year. The Kaibab squirrel only lives on the rim of Grand Canyon.