Animal-World > Small Animal Pets > Pet Squirrels > Eastern Gray Squirrel

Gray SquirrelEastern Gray Squirrel ~ Cat Squirrel

Family: Sciuridae

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"Rocky"Sciurus carolinensisPhoto © Animal-World: Courtesy Jerry Donaldson

     The Gray Squirrel is perhaps the most familiar of all squirrels!

     Gray Squirrels are primarily forest dwellers, but have adapted to the encroachment of humans by becoming part of large city parks. You can often see them scurrying about, foraging for seeds, buds, and nuts.

For more information about the care of Gray Squirrel see:
Guide to a Happy, Healthy Squirrel

Scientific name: Sciurus carolinensis

Background:
     Gray Squirrels are native to North America, found mostly in the Eastern United States. They were also introduced to other areas of the world, such as Ireland, South Africa, and Great Britain.
     Their homes are in tree cavities or in bulky water-proof twig and leaf nests built in tree branches. They also dig burrows in the ground, but these are for food storage.
     They are generally a quiet little creature, but if alarmed will emit a harsh guttural "bark", flipping its tail with each squawk.
     Gray Squirrels eat acorns and hickory nuts throughout the year, though they may eat buds, tender twigs, seeds, and insects when the weather permits. Unlike their very active smaller cousin the American Red Squirrel, which needs large amounts of seeds and nuts to see it through the winter, the Gray Squirrel can subsist on a rather small quantity of buds and nuts, and will often sleep soundly through periods of stormy weather.
     They are not quite as fearless as the American Red Squirrel in the presence of humans, but will soon overcome their caution and come out to visit if you sit quietly.

Description:      Eastern Gray Squirrels are 17"-20" long, and 8 1/2" - 9 1/2" of this length is their bushy tail! There are marked color variations in this squirrel, so at one time they were described as four different species, but today they are all contained in one valid species.

Interesting Facts:      - Gray squirrels are so plentiful that they often have to regulate their
           populations by shooting them for sport, or poisoning and trapping them.
     - They are not nocturnal, and are most active at dawn and at dusk gathering
           food. They will generally spend the late morning and noon hours in the nest,
           coming out in mid afternoon, and then retiring for the rest of the night an
           hour or so before sunset.

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Latest Comments
Whoever it was that said that squirrels don't come out in bad weather needs to come over and meet my squirrels! It doesn't matter if there are 30mph winds, a major snowstorm, or bone-chilling cold, nothing stops the whole gang (there are usually 5 to 6 squirrels in the group) from coming over for their daily treats! sandra pineda 2010-01-11
Hi Amanda, your squirrel should be eating fruits,vegetables and different kinds of nuts. Not too many pecans. Bubbles likes to chew on my fire logs that I bring in the house to burn in the fireplace. I let him chew the bark before I burn it. Also like bread too. When I get up he is loose all day in the house with me to get his exercise. They need plenty climbing and jumping around. So far Bubbles has been real good about not breaking or chewing on furniture. He's got a lot of stuff animals and toys to play with. Good luck!! jeannie jeannie 2010-01-10
My boyfriend and I have a pet squirrel named Autumn. She had two brothers, Timber & Twig, who unfortunately did not survive. My dad owns a tree service and found them in a tree he had cut down. I immediately took them in and started to syringe feed them gatorade as they were severely dehydrated. They lived in a large plastic bottomed rabbit cage with their heating pad for the longest time. The two males passed away rather quickly, but Autumn has grown to be a healthy and happy 2 1/2 month old. She's a great pet!! When the trio originally came to our home, I was the one up with them every hour for feedings and I literally became their mother. However, Autumn has decided she likes my boyfriend better than myself. She loves her playtime with him. She loves it best when he feeds her and she LOVES to sit around giving him kisses all day. We haven't yet been brave enough to let Autumn loose in our house, as we are afraid she will run rampid and get too frightened when we try to catch her - possibly hurting herself. I love to hear other stories from people who have pet squirrels, so I was very excited to have come across this page. I would like advice though, on Autumn's diet. Since she came off formula, shes had a diet only of walnuts (her favorite) and pecans. She has a damaged bottom incisor so she is unable to crack nuts herself, we do that for her. I know she should be eating other foods to improve her diet, but am unsure as to what foods are safe for her. Any advice you have would be appreciated!! Amanda Howard 2010-01-09
I have a male baby squirrel that was born August 14, 2009. We had a tree cut down and we found the nest with 2 baby's near the nest. The mother was killed. His name is bubbles and he is the best pet that i ever had in the house. No wild smell, and he gets a bath twice a month. Every since i got Bubbles he has slept in bed with me. When he gets dark he heads to my bed and gets under the covers. Most of the day he is loose in the house with me. Only goes in cage when i leave. He would never make it out in the wild. So he will live inside with me. they are very smart and playful. So who has a baby squirrel, good luck!! jeannie 2009-12-18
I rescued a four week old baby grey squirrel. I gave this squirrel love and care for 3 months. Sadly, she was in my yard having some play time and ran off. I have not seen her since and I am heartbroken beyond belief. It is December 8 and freezing outside. I've been calling for her in neighborhood and keeping all other squirrels well fed. These little creatures are so much more than I ever thought possible. Loving, sweet, playful, fun and delicate. Please educate yourselves and help those in the outdoors to survive and thrive. Janet 2009-12-08
Some of the coolest comments:
"Pet" squirrels MUST have Full Spectrum Lighting, and a healthy diet, which includes green, leafy, high calcium veggies...endive, kale, escarole, dandelions, and LITTLE fruit. Too much natural sugars in them. Also 70-80% of your squirrels daily diet should be Rodent Block. We have a specially made formula of rodent Block just for squirrels, that has been approved by Dr. Christopher Calvert, of the Animal Science Department at the University of California, Davis, and coauthor of the "Nutrient Requirements of Laboratory Animals, Fourth Revised Edition, 1995", and several of his colleagues as well, who are in the field of zoo diets. If you want EXPERT advice from MANY rehabbers, and very knowledgeable people with pet squirrels, please come to www.thesquirrelboard.com. Thank You! Elaine 2008-12-11
In Sept. 2007 I was having quiet time on the porch when I heard a plop and a screech. My cat investigated and was as bewildered as I was over the screeching naked "thing" that dropped out of a tree. The night before I told my girlfriend that there is nothing so satisfying as connecting with nature. I was thinking of a baby fawn. After my husband identified this naked "thing" as a squirrel, I rushed to the drug store and purchased an eye-dropper and fed the baby soy milk mixed with rice crispies. After six weeks, we left the cage open by the tree it fell out of and it returned to it's home nest. Husband said it was male. I disagreed but didn't argue. Every morning and around dusk he comes to the porch for his nuts or popcorn. We keep a water bottle secured to his oak tree. Since we live in a very rural area, we hope to have him around for a good while. Today, to my husband's embarrassment, he discovered our "Rocky-boy" is Mrs. Rockette and is feeding her young. We are hoping she will introduce us to her babies soon. This has been so much fun having Rockette come when we call, scampering up and down our trouser legs to perch on our shoulders. The cat knows she is part of the family and we don't have too many confrontations. Our visitors and grandchildren just love to brag about this crazy old couple that can call the squirrels down from the tree! Susan and David Greensboro, Georgia Susan E. 2008-04-29
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I found my squirrel in May. He was in my driveway and couldn't move either hind leg or his tail. He was not a baby, but not full grown either. He was scared and needless to say not very friendly toward people. I caught him and after a month or two he became more and more trusting. He has since regained use of one leg and his tail but still drags one leg around. He runs all over the house while I'm home, watches TV with me, listens to music, and naps with me. He really has become the most awesome companion! He is not particularly friendly to anyone else (though he is not aggressive) but he has become a great pet and friend to me. I can't believe that such an affectionate, intelligent and clean animal has been around all my life and I never took particular notice...never heard of anyone who had a pet squirrel until now. I am always worrying that I am not educated enough about him and his needs so I am always surfing trying to learn more...thanks for your website! Leah 2009-10-06
That page is so great because it has info about what you need to know, like interesting info about squirrels. lilshann 2009-03-22
Today I saved a baby gray squirrel from a cat. When I showed him to my kids we decided to keep him as a pet. I wasn't sure until reading all the wonderful things people have said about them on this website. We have named him Mr. Snuggles and look forward to making many fond memeroies with him. Rob Brown 2005-11-13

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