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Gray Squirrel

Eastern Gray Squirrel ~ Cat Squirrel

Family: Sciuridae"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

Geographic Distribution Sciurus carolinensis Data provided by GBIF.org Scientific Classification Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Chordata Class: Mammalia Order: Rodentia Family: Sciuridae

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.

Author: Jasmine Brough

Lastest Comments on Eastern Gray Squirrel View all 91 comments on Eastern Gray Squirrel Add Your Comment

lisa - 2011-03-13 How to stop a pet squirrel from biting? Click For Replies (7) Rocky Campbell - 2011-09-16 Our squirrel plays ruff with me, but my wife he just lays there and lets her massage him. I always have a nut for him to run around with him in his mouth. I get a sock and he hangs on it while I gently pull him in a circle. Go to his webpage and watch some of the videos. Jennifer - 2011-09-20 We just rescued a baby squirrel from a cat. The mom left and she never came back. She did not even bark for it or anything. We waited around to see if mom returned. I was wondering if you could give me any advice on what to do. I am pretty sure its a girl. I dont know what to feed her and should I take her to the vet to be looked at? linda hines - 2011-09-22 I have had great success with puppys milk. You can buy it at any pet store. It works great. Penny is now 7-8 weeks old and is almost weaned. Good luck. linda hines - 2011-09-22 Jennifer: You can also search orphaned wildlife care, baby squirrel care. It gives tons of info on the eastern gray and the red squirrel. It has timelines (what and how much to feed). I didn't know that you had to stimulate the squirrel so that it could relieve itself (something the mother would naturally do). It helped me out alot. shannon - 2011-10-23 I have raised six baby squirrels and have found the best formula to be 1 part human baby formula to 2 parts heavy whipping cream. Nothing else you buy will have enough of a fat content. They need the fat they have a very high metabolism. Eagle - 2011-11-12 I have had pet squirrels for i guess 20 years, they bite instinctively, its what they do. mine don't bite hard they just nibble to see what they like, tame ones are nibblers but there going to bit a little. James Peter - 2011-12-16 If your squirrel bites hard breaks skin and causes bleeding then he needs to be released. This kind of behavior is very hard to undo and is a reliable indicator that you got a wild squirrel. If you don't raise it from a baby or before it weens at least, you can forget about it Reply

yanie - 2012-01-02 my squirrel was ok and now she is dead suddenly what could of happened so suddenly Click For Replies (1) Charlie Roche - 2012-01-02 A little squirrel can pass for many of the same reasons a human can at an early age. Could have had a heart defect or a stroke. Could have eaten or gotten into something toxic. Could just be genetic. I am sorry as no matter how, I know it is sad. There is no answer. Reply

levi - 2011-12-07 can you teach squirrels not to bite cuz i have one he fell out of a tree and he is an awsome pet but like to pick on my girlfriend Click For Replies (1) James Peter - 2011-12-16 Squirrels are individuals, so giving you a definite answer just wouldnt work. How old was this squirrel when you got him? Wild squirrels that are received past the weening stage when they leave the nest and begin their independent life are VERY difficult to tame, basically the older they are, the harder it will be. Its pretty straight foward. Even if you raised it from a pinky, you could still get an somewhat aggressive squirrel toward other people. Alot of squirrels are 1 people pets, if he attacks your girlfriend, he'll probably keep at it. If I were you, I would have her feed him treats several times a day, over time he should start warming up to her, but he'll probably mess with her on occasion indefinitely Reply

James Peter - 2011-11-29 My squirrel Zosi 'Zosimos for survivor' is my best friend and beloved companion. He was rescued on freezing Octorber night when I heard a presistent crying outside my window. He was no bigger than my thumb with eyes still closed. He couldnt move on his own and was 20 feet from the tree canopy and 2 feet from his mothers remains '1 paw and a tail' It's clear that she had been fleeing with Zosi in her mouth when she was caught. 'I think a red-tailed hawk was responsible' because she fled the tree. Zosi is 3 years old now and our bond is stronger than titanium. He sleeps with me every night and we spend nearly 24/7 together. We go on walks and bike rides 'where he rides on top of my head' already he's warmed the hearts of hundreds of people and children that he meets while were out and about. Even for a raised squirrel, he's unusually affectionate and loyal. I have had dozens of previous squirrel owners that have expressed amazement in Zosi and often ask me what my secret is. 'You'd have to ask Zosi that one.' :) If you want to see Zosi, you can see some videos I posted on youtube 'search Zosi squirrel.' I wanted to share this for any squirrel lovers out there and anyone that has rescued one and is wondering what it's like. I'll be more than happy to answer any questions or give advice on these matters. :) Click For Replies (4) Charlie Roche - 2011-11-30 That is awesome. I didn't know they could be that tame. My grandma had one and you could pet and hold it. Hung out in the house and then would go out the window but not ride on my head on a bicycle. Wish I had known. Thank you. sarah - 2011-12-11 Did Zosi ever play too roughly? My squirrel has my arms all scratched up fromo rough play. He's only four months old. I'm hoping maybe he'll outgrow it? Thank you! James Peter - 2011-12-16 As for the scratching, you'll probably just have to get used to that one :) if i wear a thin shirt, it hurts like a sob when he climbs up my back and such, don't ever get caught without a shirt on, lol that SUCKS. the scratch marks I get from zosi are always minor and usually on the back of my neck. James Peter - 2011-12-16 Nope, He plays very energetically but NEVER over does it, he's very conscious about how hard he bites HOWEVER he jumped on my face once while I was laying down watching a movie and scratched my eye and put a long scratch on my forehead because of my reaction. He can annoying though when he wants attention because he'll relentlessly bite and tug gently but it can hurt when he grabs the underside of my forarm or something. He'll also bite at my feet while I'm walking thru the house if he's in a real playful mood, this can be a little annoying too and also makes me a bit worried about stepping on him. I've heard of MANY of people with squirrels that had serious problems with aggression toward other people, even others that shared the same household. I've come to believe that this behavior is more common among females, especially when they consider their caretaker to be their nest. One women I met, her squirrel had nested in her cleavage and would attack anyone who got near her. Reply

Meghen - 2011-12-01 i have a pet squirrel. her name is Chow. We sometimes call her Chowder because she eats alot. My grandma's friend found her down her in Florida in a tree they cut down and the mom or dad was not around anywhere so they brought 2 baby squirrels to my grandma. She took care of both of them but a few years later one of them died but we still have Chow she is 4. We got chow because my grandma died in Janurary last year. My grandpa came up from Florida with her and gave her to us. That is my story of my pet squirrel Click For Replies (2) Lauren - 2011-12-01 aww that is such a sweet story Charlie Roche - 2011-12-01 I am sorry about your grandma but so glad that Chow has a wonderful home. Reply

Lynn - 2011-09-06 I have a pet squirrell I rescued from a cat a year ago. He is one of the funniest pets I have had and I love him. He would have died if I had not saved him, he is very well cared for and loves me. I know because he hardly gets off me when he has time out of his big house. If I turned him loose he would not survive as he was a baby when rescued. I would not recommend every one to have one for a pet. But I have about 20 years in animal husbandry. What I would like to figure out is how to introduce new people to him that he doesn't act aggressive towards. Any suggestions?? Click For Replies (4) Toby Jungle - 2011-09-07 My grandma had one she rescued that was an in/out sorta gal. Grandma set up a box/house with food water and just left the kitchen window open and the squirell just stayed in for a long time. Then she would go out by 1 foot, then two feet etc. She must have gone a little farthur than grandma thought as she had babies in her bed in the house. Us humans are huge next to that little squirell. Can you imagine if you had to stand next to King Kong and be introduced? If you see King Kong sitting on the sofa - you might just venture a little closer each day once you realize that King Kong is not going to chase you or hurt you and you see him with your human. Let the squireel make its' own introductions on its turf, when it wants to, on its own time. You are sitting having coffee with a friend and your squirell is on your shoulder or the arm of the chair. The squirell will either want to go by that person - or will be afraid. The person can hold a peanut or a sunflower seed etc and the suireel will either be comfortable or not. Maybe the 3rd time the person comes over the squirell will be comfortable. My grandmas squirell liked me just fine and I could pick it up and play etc. She did not like my brother and would just dart at him to chase him away. So go slow, have new people around but let the squirell pick and choose. It is OK to tempt with a peanut or seed but realize that little fella is looking at that new human as a King Kong. Rocky Campbell - 2011-09-16 Thats great :) sadhana chauhan - 2011-11-17 I had a baby squirrel which is only 2 weeks old. Pls give me any suggestion so that he/she feel better. he/she was with me 5 day over. I keep it out side but mother not came and took it. Give me any solution so that I save her James Peter - 2011-11-29 My squirrel doesn't like when a small crowd of people surround us but has absolutely no problem with people in general and I let people / kids in public pet him. I should say, he lets them. :) I have noticed however that many other squirrel handlers have issues with their squirrels being aggressive toward other people, even people that share the same household with them. I have also noticed a trend that females appear to do this much more than males. I think it has something to do with nest/baby defending in the wild and might 'I'm just guessing here' be impossible to undo entirely. As you almost certainly know, watch for the signs like tail flicking and teeth chattering when he/she is around other people. Whenever Zosi gets nervous 'he's terrified of dogs' I comfort him by massaging his mouth which is his favorite thing. Search 'Zosi Nap time' on youtube to see what I am talking about. I dont know if just Zosi likes this or if all squirrels do but its essential in reassuring/calming mine. You are his tree basically and whenever he's nervous/startled, he'll run to you instinctively like a tree and squirrels defend their trees. which is why they can get very aggressive to people or animals that approach you. It's more that he's defending you than being afraid of them I think... a territorial thing basically. One thing I always tell people is to never grab Zosi, I don't think there is a single squirrel on the planet that likes this, if Zosi is showing any signs of discomfort, I remove him for the situation. Like when people surround us to see him, he'll try to hide by going into my shirt at the back of my neck. Reply

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