The Black Squirrel is a melanistic color variant of the Eastern Gray Squirrel, not a separate species, and is disproportionately common in some urban parks across the Midwest and Northeast. The melanistic gene provides a thermoregulatory advantage in colder climates, allowing these squirrels to warm up faster in morning sunlight. Some cities—like Marysville, Kansas—have adopted the black squirrel as a town mascot.
Best time to see a Black Squirrel
The best time to see a Black Squirrel is January–July, when about 61% of U.S. sightings happen, based on 281,739 research-grade iNaturalist observations.
Not certain it is a Black Squirrel? What animal is this? walks through what to check first and the lookalikes that catch people out.
Recent Black Squirrel sightings near you
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