Types of Squirrels With Pictures
Last fall I spent twenty minutes at my window watching a squirrel bury acorns in the yard. It dug a hole, dropped a nut, patted the soil, then ran off and faked digging a few empty holes to fool any thieves. I had never noticed that trick before.
I had always pictured one kind of squirrel. The gray one from thfox species guidee park. That morning sent me down a rabbit hole, and I learned how wrong I was.
There are many types of squirrels. Scientists count around 280 species worldwide. They fall into three groups: tree squirrels, ground squirrels, and flying squirrels. The smallest is lighter than a mouse. The biggest is the size of a cat. They live on every continent except Antarctica and Australia, where people introduced them.
This guide covers the main types of squirrels with clear charts. You will see how to tell them apart, which ones are common, which are rare, and which species live in Florida, Michigan, and Canada.
Table of Contents
The Three Main Types of Squirrels
Every squirrel fits into one of three groups. The difference comes down to where it lives and how it moves. Tree squirrels climb. Ground squirrels dig. Flying squirrels glide. The family, Sciuridae, also holds chipmunks, marmots, and prairie dogs, which are all ground squirrels.
| Trait | Tree Squirrels | Ground Squirrels | Flying Squirrels |
| Where they live | In trees, parks | Burrows in the ground | Tree cavities |
| Active when | Daytime | Daytime | Night |
| Tail | Long and bushy | Shorter, less bushy | Flat and bushy |
| Special trait | Climb and leap | Dig burrows; many hibernate | Glide on a skin flap |
| Examples | Gray, fox, red | Chipmunks, marmots, prairie dogs | Northern and southern flying |
Common Types of Squirrels
These are the squirrels you are most likely to see or read about, plus a few famous ones from other continents. Sizes show total length, body plus tail, since the tail is often as long as the body.
| Common Name | Scientific Name | Length | Region | Type |
| Eastern gray squirrel | Sciurus carolinensis | 43–50 cm | E. North America, intro. to UK | Tree |
| Fox squirrel | Sciurus niger | 45–70 cm | Eastern and central USA | Tree |
| Eurasian red squirrel | Sciurus vulgaris | 35–45 cm | Europe, northern Asia | Tree |
| American red squirrel | Tamiasciurus hudsonicus | 28–35 cm | Canada, northern USA | Tree |
| Southern flying squirrel | Glaucomys volans | 21–26 cm | Eastern USA | Flying |
| Northern flying squirrel | Glaucomys sabrinus | 25–37 cm | Canada, northern USA | Flying |
| Indian (Malabar) giant squirrel | Ratufa indica | Up to 1 m | Western Ghats, India | Tree |
| Black giant squirrel | Ratufa bicolor | Up to 1 m | South and Southeast Asia | Tree |
| Prevost’s squirrel | Callosciurus prevostii | 35–50 cm | Southeast Asia | Tree |
| Red-bellied tree squirrel | Callosciurus erythraeus | 35–50 cm | Southeast Asia | Tree |
| African pygmy squirrel | Myosciurus pumilio | 12–14 cm | West and Central Africa | Tree |
The eastern gray squirrel is the one most people in cities know. Black squirrels are not a separate species. They are just a dark form of the same animal. For another widespread family, see our fox species guide.
Ground Squirrel Types
Ground squirrels live in burrows instead of trees. Many sleep through winter in deep hibernation. The group is larger than most people think and includes some animals you might not call squirrels at all.
| Group | Examples | Notable |
| True ground squirrels | Richardson’s, thirteen-lined, Arctic | Dig burrows; many hibernate |
| Chipmunks | Eastern, least | Striped backs; cheek pouches |
| Marmots | Groundhog, hoary, yellow-bellied | Largest squirrels; up to 8 kg |
| Prairie dogs | Black-tailed prairie dog | Live in colonies; complex calls |
| Antelope squirrels | White-tailed antelope squirrel | Desert dwellers; tail held over back |
Rare Types of Squirrels
Some squirrels are rarely seen, either because they are tiny, live in remote forests, or have shrinking ranges. A few are among the rarest mammals on Earth. You can check the current status of any species on the IUCN Red List.
| Species | Why It Stands Out | Region |
| African pygmy squirrel | World’s smallest squirrel, 12–14 cm | West and Central Africa |
| Indian giant squirrel | Multicolored coat; up to 1 m long | Western Ghats, India |
| Bhutan giant flying squirrel | Largest squirrel, up to 1.27 m total | Himalayas |
| Woolly flying squirrel | Rediscovered after decades lost | Pakistan and Kashmir |
| Vancouver Island marmot | One of the rarest mammals; Canada only | Vancouver Island |
| Idaho ground squirrel | Endangered; very small range | Idaho, USA |
Squirrel Species Identification
You can name most squirrels with a few quick clues. Look at the size, the tail, the color, and the time of day. Where the animal is and how it moves tell you the rest.
| Clue | What It Tells You |
| Size | Thumb-sized means a pygmy squirrel; cat-sized means a giant squirrel or marmot |
| Tail | Long and bushy points to a tree squirrel; flat and wide points to a flying squirrel |
| Color | Gray, red, black, or multicolored, depending on species and region |
| Active time | Daytime usually means tree or ground; night almost always means flying |
| Location | In the canopy, in a burrow, or gliding between trees |
| Body shape | Slim and quick for climbers; stocky and low for diggers |
Types of Squirrels in Florida
Florida has three native squirrels plus a couple of extras. The eastern gray is the one in most yards. Two fox squirrel subspecies, Sherman’s and the Big Cypress, are protected by the state.
| Species | Scientific Name | Notes |
| Eastern gray squirrel | Sciurus carolinensis | Most common; oaks, parks, attics |
| Fox squirrel | Sciurus niger | Larger; some subspecies protected |
| Southern flying squirrel | Glaucomys volans | Nocturnal glider |
| Mexican gray squirrel | Sciurus aureogaster | Introduced; found in the Florida Keys |
| Eastern chipmunk | Tamias striatus | Only in the northwest panhandle |
Types of Squirrels in Michigan
Michigan has more variety because of its forests and cold winters. You get five tree squirrels, including both flying species, plus ground squirrels like the chipmunk and the woodchuck.
| Species | Scientific Name | Notes |
| Eastern gray squirrel | Sciurus carolinensis | Common; gray and black morphs |
| Fox squirrel | Sciurus niger | Largest tree squirrel in the state |
| American red squirrel | Tamiasciurus hudsonicus | Small, loud, in conifer forests |
| Southern flying squirrel | Glaucomys volans | Nocturnal; deciduous woods |
| Northern flying squirrel | Glaucomys sabrinus | Northern, mixed forests |
| Thirteen-lined ground squirrel | Ictidomys tridecemlineatus | Striped; open grassy areas |
| Eastern chipmunk | Tamias striatus | Ground; cheek pouches |
| Woodchuck (groundhog) | Marmota monax | A marmot; the largest of the group |
Squirrel Types in Canada
Canada has 23 native squirrel species, and every one is native rather than introduced. Six live in trees, including the two flying squirrels. The rest live on or under the ground, from prairie ground squirrels to large mountain marmots.
| Species | Scientific Name | Region |
| American red squirrel | Tamiasciurus hudsonicus | Boreal forests nationwide |
| Eastern gray squirrel | Sciurus carolinensis | Eastern Canada |
| Eastern fox squirrel | Sciurus niger | Southern Ontario |
| Douglas squirrel | Tamiasciurus douglasii | British Columbia |
| Northern flying squirrel | Glaucomys sabrinus | Forests across the country |
| Southern flying squirrel | Glaucomys volans | Southeastern Canada |
| Richardson’s ground squirrel | Urocitellus richardsonii | Prairies (AB, SK, MB) |
| Hoary marmot | Marmota caligata | Western mountains; up to 80 cm |
FAQs
How many types of squirrels are there?
There are around 280 species worldwide. They split into three groups: tree squirrels, ground squirrels, and flying squirrels. The family also includes chipmunks, marmots, and prairie dogs.
What is the most common squirrel?
In North America it is the eastern gray squirrel. In Europe and northern Asia it is the Eurasian red squirrel. Both adapt well to parks and gardens.
What is the smallest squirrel?
The African pygmy squirrel. It is about 12 to 14 centimeters long and weighs less than a house mouse.
What is the largest squirrel?
Among tree squirrels, the Indian giant squirrel reaches about one meter including the tail. Marmots are the heaviest squirrels and can weigh up to 8 kilograms.
Do flying squirrels really fly?
No. They glide using a flap of skin between their legs called a patagium. They cannot flap and stay aloft like a bird or a bat.
Are black squirrels a separate species?
No. A black squirrel is a dark color form of the eastern gray squirrel. The same litter can hold both gray and black young.
Where do squirrels live?
Squirrels live on every continent except Antarctica and Australia, where people introduced them. They fill forests, grasslands, deserts, and city parks. For more wildlife charts, see our fox species guide and the full Animals Chart section.
