Species MammalsAbert's Squirrel

Abert's Squirrel

Sciurus aberti

UncommonMammal
Illustration of Abert's Squirrel (Sciurus aberti)

Abert's Squirrel is instantly recognizable by its spectacular ear tufts and is almost entirely dependent on ponderosa pine for food and shelter. It feeds on the inner bark, seeds, and buds of ponderosa pine and acts as an important disperser of pine fungi. The squirrel's range closely mirrors that of the ponderosa pine belt across the southwestern United States.

Habitat
Ponderosa pine forests of the Rocky Mountains and Southwest
Diet
Ponderosa pine inner bark, seeds, fungi, and buds
How common
Uncommon

Best time to see a Abert's Squirrel

The best time to see a Abert's Squirrel is March–August, when about 63% of U.S. sightings happen, based on 3,967 research-grade iNaturalist observations.

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D

Not certain it is a Abert's Squirrel? What animal is this? walks through what to check first and the lookalikes that catch people out.

Recent Abert's Squirrel sightings near you

Live, research-grade observations from iNaturalist. Allow location to center the map on you.

Spot a Abert's Squirrel? Identify it instantly.

Point Huck at any plant, bird, or animal for an instant ID, its rarity, and a live map of where it is being seen near you.

Get Huck

Get an alert when a Abert's Squirrel is spotted

Pick a park, state, or city and we’ll email you when one turns up there. One check a day, only when there’s something new.

Free. Unsubscribe from any email. See our Privacy Policy.

Love mammals? Get Huck field notes

Spotting tips, new species, and the best of what people are finding in the wild - straight to your inbox.

By subscribing you agree to receive Huck emails. No spam, unsubscribe anytime. See our Privacy Policy.

More mammals

Agricola's Gracile Opossum
Agricola's Gracile Opossum
Cryptonanus agricolai
Alaska Marmot
Alaska Marmot
Marmota broweri
Alaska Peninsula Brown Bear
Alaska Peninsula Brown Bear
Ursus arctos gyas
Alaskan Hare
Alaskan Hare
Lepus othus
Alaskan Mink
Alaskan Mink
Neogale vison ingens
Alfaro's Pygmy Squirrel
Alfaro's Pygmy Squirrel
Microsciurus alfari
Allen's Big-eared Bat
Allen's Big-eared Bat
Idionycteris phyllotis
Allen's Chipmunk
Allen's Chipmunk
Neotamias senex