eastern gray squirrel

(Sciurus carolinensis)

Conservation Status
eastern gray squirrel
 
  IUCN Red List

LC - Least Concern

 
  NatureServe

N5 - Secure

SNR - Unranked

 
  Minnesota

not listed

 
           
           
 
Description
 
 

Eastern gray squirrel is a medium-sized tree squirrel, 8 to 10 in length not including the tail. The underside and backs of the ears are white or pale gray. The guard hairs are tipped whitish. This is especially evident on the tail, which appears gray and white.

Black squirrel, the melanistic color phase of this species, can be found in southeastern Minnesota. White (albino) squirrels are sometimes found in urban and suburban areas.

 
     
 

Size

 
 

Head and body: 8 to 10

Tail: 7¾ to 10

 
     
 

Sign

 
 

 

 
     
 

Similar Species

 
     
     
 
Habitat
 
 

Mature deciduous or mixed forests with a dense understory, parks, yards.

 
     
 
Ecology
 
 

Behavior

 
 

 

 
     
 

Lifespan

 
 

12½ years

 
     
 

Life Cycle

 
 

 

 
     
 

Food

 
 

 

 
     
 
Distribution
 
 

Distribution Map

 

Sources

7, 15, 24, 29, 30.

 
  8/18/2022      
         
 

Occurrence

 
 

Common and abundant

 
         
 
Taxonomy
 
  Class Mammalia (mammals)  
  Subclass Theria  
  Infraclass Placentalia (placental mammals)  
  Superorder Euarchontoglires (primates, rodents, and allies)  
  Grandorder Glires (rodents and rabbits)  
  Order Rodentiia (rodents)  
  Suborder Sciuromorpha (squirrels, dormice, and mountain beavers)  
 

Family

Sciuridae (squirrels)  
 

Subfamily

Sciurinae (typical and flying squirrels)  
  Tribe Sciurini (typical squirrels)  
  Subtribe Sciurina  
 

Genus

Sciurus (tree squirrels)  
  Subgenus Sciurus  
       
 

Subordinate Taxa

 
 

eastern gray squirrel (Sciurus carolinensis hiemalis)

eastern gray squirrel (Sciurus carolinensis matecumbei)

Everglade gray squirrel (Sciurus carolinensis extimus)

Louisiana gray squirrel (Sciurus carolinensis fuliginosus)

Minnesota gray squirrel (Sciurus carolinensis hypophaeus)

northern gray squirrel (Sciurus carolinensis pennsylvanicus)

northern gray squirrel (Sciurus carolinensis leucotis)

southern gray squirrel (Sciurus carolinensis carolinensis)

Yucatan squirrel (Sciurus yucatanensis)

 
       
 

Synonyms

 
 

 

 
       
 

Common Names

 
 

eastern gray squirrel

 
 
 
Visitor Photos
 
           
 

Share your photo of this mammal.

 
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Simply email us at info@MinnesotaSeasons.com.
Attach one or more photos and, if you like, a caption.
 
 

Linda Griggs

 
 

Blond Squirrel

This squirrel has been coming around for 4 years!

  eastern gray squirrel  
 

Luciearl

 
 

… frequently stares at me through the kitchen as I'm doing dishes.

  eastern gray squirrel  
           
    eastern gray squirrel      
 

Alfredo Colon

 
 

An albino squirrel from Woodbury, MN

 
    eastern gray squirrel   eastern gray squirrel  
 

Wayne Rasmussen

 
    eastern gray squirrel      
 

Dan W. Andree

 
 

Curious Gray Squirrel. I encountered this curious character in the woods near a woodland pool and it stood up and looked at me as if to almost want to be photographed. So I did. Really enjoyed this Close Encounter of the Squirrel Kind.

  eastern gray squirrel  
           
        eastern gray squirrel  
           
 
MinnesotaSeasons.com Photos
 
    eastern gray squirrel   eastern gray squirrel  
           
    eastern gray squirrel   eastern gray squirrel  
           
 

Hypomelanistic (albino) squirrel

 
    eastern gray squirrel   eastern gray squirrel  
           
    eastern gray squirrel   eastern gray squirrel  
           
    eastern gray squirrel      

 

Camera

     
 
Slideshows
 
  Sciurus carolinensis (Eastern Gray Squirrel)
Allen Chartier
 
  Sciurus carolinensis (Eastern Gray Squirrel)  
  EASTERN GRAY SQUIRREL (SCIURUS CAROLINENSIS), OXFORDSHIRE.
Gary Mann
 
  EASTERN GRAY SQUIRREL (SCIURUS CAROLINENSIS), OXFORDSHIRE.  
  Eastern Gray Squirrel
Dan Dzurisin
 
  Eastern Gray Squirrel  

 

slideshow

       
 
Visitor Videos
 
       
 

Share your video of this mammal.

 
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Simply email us at info@MinnesotaSeasons.com.
Attach a video, a YouTube link, or a cloud storage link.
 
 

 

 
     
     
       
       
 
Other Videos
 
  Mammals of the World: Eastern Gray Squirrel
AnswersInNature
 
   
 
About

Uploaded on Jan 30, 2012

The Eastern Gray Squirrel (Sciurus carolinensis) is the 135th species in my Mammals of the World series.

All media is educational fair use.

   
  The Squirrel - Eastern Gray Squirrel or Grey Squirrel (Sciurus carolinensis)
animals2x2
 
   
 
About

Published on Jul 31, 2012

Watch the Squirrel and learn how to recognize it's unique characteristics. This video captures the Squirrel foresting food and identifies the size, shape and distinctive markings of the Gray Squirrel. Squirrels can be found in the wild all around the world. Our Squirrel video is an ideal study guide for students, kids and children who want to learn more about wild animals. Watch the Grey Squirrel as it hides under the tree cover and eats nuts. The high definition quality allows a clear observation of the Squirrel's coat, color, habits and features. A child friendly learning tool and visual aid, perfect for schools and teachers to use in conjunction with other teaching methods. Watch and enjoy the Squirrel clip!

   

 

Camcorder

 
 
Visitor Sightings
 
           
 

Report a sighting of this mammal.

 
  This button not working for you?
Simply email us at info@MinnesotaSeasons.com.
Be sure to include a location.
 
  Linda Griggs
7/14/2023

Location: Yucatan Township, MN

This squirrel has been coming around for 4 years!

eastern gray squirrel

 
  Luciearl
12/1/2019

Location: Cass County

eastern gray squirrel

 
  Alfredo Colon
8/2/2019

Location: Woodbury, MN

An albino squirrel from Woodbury, MN

eastern gray squirrel

 
  Alfredo Colon
6/6/2018

Location: Woodbury, MN

eastern gray squirrel

 
  Luciearl
1/3/2018

Location: Lake Shore, MN

… frequently stares at me through the kitchen as I'm doing dishes.

eastern gray squirrel

 
  Dan W. Andree
2017

Location: Norman County, MN

Curious Gray Squirrel. I encountered this curious character in the woods near a woodland pool and it stood up and looked at me as if to almost want to be photographed. So I did. Really enjoyed this Close Encounter of the Squirrel Kind.

eastern gray squirrel

 
  Wayne Rasmussen
9/15/2015

Location: Maplewood Heights Park

eastern gray squirrel

 
           
 
MinnesotaSeasons.com Sightings
 
 

Avon Hills Forest SNA, North Unit

Blaine Preserve SNA

Boot Lake SNA

Bunker Hills Regional Park

Camden State Park

Cannon River Wilderness Area

Carley State Park

Carpenter St. Croix Valley Nature Center

Carver Park Reserve

Charles A. Lindbergh State Park

Clear Lake SNA

Cleary Lake Regional Park

Clifton E. French Regional Park

Crosby Farm Regional Park

Des Moines River SNA

Dodge Nature Center

Elm Creek Park Reserve

Forestville/Mystery Cave State Park

Fort Snelling State Park

Frontenac State Park

Glendalough State Park

Great River Bluffs State Park

Greenwater Lake SNA

Hampton Woods WMA

Hastings SNA

Hyland Lake Park Reserve

Joy Park

King’s and Queen’s Bluff SNA

Lake Carlos State Park

Lake Maria State Park

Lake Rebecca Park Reserve

Lebanon Hills Regional Park

Lost Valley Prairie SNA

Maplewood State Park

McKnight Prairie

Mille Lacs WMA

Minneopa State Park

Minnesota Valley NWR, Black Dog Unit

Minnesota Valley NWR, Long Meadow Lake Unit

Minnesota Valley NWR, Louisville Swamp Unit

Minnesota Valley NWR, Rapids Lake Unit

Minnesota Valley State Recreation Area, Lawrence Unit

Murphy-Hanrehan Park Reserve

Myre-Big Island State Park

Nerstrand Big Woods State Park

Ney Nature Center

North Mississippi Regional Park

Oxbow Park & Zollman Zoo

Pin Oak Prairie SNA

Prairie Creek WMA, Koester Prairie Unit

Prairie Smoke Dunes SNA

Rice Lake State Park

Ritter Farm Park

Robert Ney Memorial Park Reserve

Savage Fen SNA

Sibley State Park

Springbrook Nature Center

Stanley Eddy Memorial Park Reserve

Sunfish Lake Park

Terrace Oaks West

Twin Lakes SNA

Westwood Hills Nature Center

Whitetail Woods Regional Park

William O’Brien State Park

Wood-Rill SNA

Woodland Trails Park

 

 

 

Binoculars


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