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Gray Squirrel

Eastern Gray Squirrel Family: Sciuridae

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"Rocky" Sciurus carolinensis Photo © 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

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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Please be aware that although grey squirrels are quite a common sight to see, and in many cases becomming the perfect family pet there is alot to learn about them, and in many cases we find that what we thought would be easy becomes very difficult and frustrating and can be very costly as once you have your grey squirrel you can not return it to the wild as i found out you can be liable to a £5,000 fine. you can contact me for further info should you have any questions about your squirrel, i will do my best to give you the advice you require. Wayne Ford 2009-03-09
On March 2008 we found a grey squirrel baby fallen out of a tree nearby. I gave him a mix of ideal milk, water and yellow of an egg. Later she start eating seads, nuts, fruit and vegies. She was like a real pet, playing and running around in the house. After winter about October we decided it's time for her to go home in the wild. We took her to a place with lots of oak trees. Putting her cage in one of the trees and feeding her every second day. She adores all the trees and was very happy. After 2 months she came done from the trees and still plays around with me. Jumping, climbing and curling around me. Also sitting still allowing me to scratched her body. Now I think she is going to have babies. Can't wait to see them. I am from South Africa. Elsa 2008-12-14
Hi, I have a pet grey squirrel which is illegal where I live. I will be taking an exam next year to become a rehabber to help out and also to protect my squirrel "ownership" status. I have a huge cage for him and he is indoor/out and very tame. I've looked around to find out if there was another "legal" pet that is compatible with squirrels, but haven't found anything written on the subject. If anyone in this forum has experience and knows, I'd love to hear. Although I spend about an hour a day just playing with him, he is very social and I always think a companion would be more entertaining :) lily 2008-11-21
We found our baby by accident thinking at first it was a baby rat. Then my grandfather saw what it really was and took it to my mother, who already had the experience of saving a flying squirrel. She used kitten milk. Fuzzy Butt, as we call her, survived and we kept her in our house that is made up of nothing but wood; chairs, cabinets, flooring and even our walls. We learned fast that we couldn't keep her inside so my mother built an outside cage that can fit four people inside. Fuzzy Butt is the highlight of the family's day. Only she has a thing against human males and our female dog that she chases all over our house. Jenny 2008-09-27
Squirrels are wild creatures, and should not be kept as a pet. If raising an orphaned squirrel, they need to be fed esbilac, (Puppy formula) and not regular milk. They do better raised with other squirrels than being alone. If you find a baby squirrel take it to a rehabiliter, so it can be raised properly and released to be able to live like a real squirrel. In most places it is illegal to have any kind of wildlife unless you are licensed. You may think they are cute, because they are, but its not fair that captive squirrels cannot live the life that they are supposed to, free to be a squirrel. Deena 2008-09-11
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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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
I have just gotten my first official squirrel about 3 weeks ago. His name is Dizzy.He fell out of a tree and ever since he kind of lost some of his coordination. I figured it would be safer for him not to be out in the wild on his own, for fear of what could happen to him at great heights. He is the most lovable pet I have ever had. When I am home I let him roam and when I call for him, he actually comes running to me, like he knows his name! I am purchasing a squirrel to put with him so he's not lonely. He loves to lay on peoples laps and he rolls over for me to scratch his belly like a dog. Every day seems to be better as far as his balance and coordination. Hopefully my next squirrel will be as loving as Dizzy. Thanks for all the info. Christine and Dizzy christine 2005-10-05

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