Minnesota Seasons - eastern gray squirrel

Conservation • Description • Habitat • Biology • Distribution • Taxonomy

Conservation Status

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.


	Biology
	Behavior


	Lifespan
	12½ years

	Life Cycle


	Food


	Distribution
			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)
	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

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	Luciearl

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




	Alfredo Colon

	An albino squirrel from Woodbury, MN



	Wayne Rasmussen




	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.





	MinnesotaSeasons.com Photos





	Hypomelanistic (albino) squirrel

Camera


	Slideshows


	Sciurus carolinensis (Eastern Gray Squirrel) Allen Chartier




	EASTERN GRAY SQUIRREL (SCIURUS CAROLINENSIS), OXFORDSHIRE. Gary Mann




	Eastern Gray Squirrel Dan Dzurisin

slideshow


	Visitor Videos

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	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

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		This button not working for you? Simply email us at info@MinnesotaSeasons.com. Be sure to include a location.



Luciearl 12/1/2019	Location: Cass County



Alfredo Colon 8/2/2019	Location: Woodbury, MN An albino squirrel from Woodbury, MN



Alfredo Colon 6/6/2018	Location: Woodbury, MN



Luciearl 1/3/2018	Location: Lake Shore, MN … frequently stares at me through the kitchen as I'm doing dishes.



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.



Wayne Rasmussen 9/15/2015	Location: Maplewood Heights Park



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