Species MammalsEastern Gray Squirrel

Eastern Gray Squirrel

Sciurus carolinensis

CommonMammal
Illustration of Eastern Gray Squirrel (Sciurus carolinensis)
Safety note: Do not approach or handle wild animals.

The Eastern Gray Squirrel is the most widespread tree squirrel in North America. Famous for burying nuts and forgetting them — inadvertently planting thousands of trees each year.

Habitat
Deciduous forests, parks, and suburban yards
Diet
Acorns, nuts, seeds, fungi, and occasionally bird eggs
How common
Common

Best time to see a Eastern Gray Squirrel

The best time to see a Eastern Gray Squirrel is January–July, when about 61% of U.S. sightings happen, based on 281,739 research-grade iNaturalist observations.

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

Recent Eastern Gray Squirrel sightings near you

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