“There are about 280 squirrel species, grouped into three main types: tree squirrels like gray, fox, and red squirrels; ground squirrels, which include chipmunks, prairie dogs, groundhogs, and marmots; and flying squirrels, which glide between trees. Squirrels live on every continent except Australia and Antarctica.”
When most people think of squirrels, they picture the bushy-tailed acrobat raiding their bird feeder. But the squirrel family, Sciuridae, is far more diverse. It includes burrowing marmots that hibernate for months, prairie dogs that live in vast towns, gliders that sail through forests at night, and tiny squirrels no bigger than a mouse. Here’s a tour of the major types.
Squirrel Types at a Glance
| Type | Lifestyle | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| Tree squirrels | Live and nest in trees, active by day | Eastern gray, fox, American red, Eurasian red, Abert’s squirrel |
| Ground squirrels | Burrow underground, many hibernate | Thirteen-lined ground squirrel, California ground squirrel, Arctic ground squirrel |
| Chipmunks | Small ground squirrels that store food | Eastern chipmunk, least chipmunk |
| Marmots | Large burrowers, true hibernators | Groundhog, yellow-bellied marmot, alpine marmot |
| Prairie dogs | Colonial burrowers of grasslands | Black-tailed, white-tailed, Gunnison’s prairie dogs |
| Flying squirrels | Nocturnal gliders | Southern, northern, and giant flying squirrels |
Tree Squirrels
Tree squirrels are expert climbers with sharp claws, flexible ankles that let them descend trees headfirst, and long, bushy tails for balance, warmth, and signaling. They build leafy nests called dreys or use tree hollows.
- Eastern gray squirrel: the familiar park squirrel of eastern North America, introduced to the UK, Italy, and elsewhere.
- Fox squirrel: the largest tree squirrel in North America, with rusty underparts.
- American red squirrel: small, noisy, and territorial, found in conifer forests.
- Eurasian red squirrel: Europe’s native squirrel, known for its ear tufts.
- Abert’s squirrel: a tassel-eared squirrel of southwestern ponderosa pine forests.
Learn how to tell the most common ones apart in red vs gray vs fox squirrels.
Ground Squirrels
Ground squirrels live in burrows in grasslands, deserts, and mountains. Many are social and use alarm calls to warn neighbors. Many also hibernate.
- Thirteen-lined ground squirrel: striped and spotted, common on the Great Plains and a well-studied hibernator.
- California ground squirrel: common in the West; known for waving its tail at rattlesnakes and even chewing shed snake skins to mask its scent.
- Arctic ground squirrel: can lower its body temperature below freezing during hibernation.
Chipmunks
Chipmunks are small, striped ground squirrels with expandable cheek pouches. They gather and store large food caches in their burrows and enter torpor in winter, waking periodically to eat. Most chipmunk species live in North America, with one species, the Siberian chipmunk, in Asia.
Marmots and Groundhogs
Marmots are the heavyweights of the squirrel family. They’re burrowing grazers that hibernate through long winters. The groundhog is the most famous marmot, but others live in mountains around the world, from the yellow-bellied marmot of the American West to the alpine marmot of Europe. See groundhog facts and capybara vs marmot.
Prairie Dogs
Prairie dogs are colonial ground squirrels of North American grasslands. They live in towns divided into family groups and have remarkably complex alarm calls. See prairie dog facts.
Flying Squirrels
Flying squirrels glide on membranes of skin stretched between their legs. They’re nocturnal and have large eyes. North America has three species, while most flying squirrel species live in Asia, including giant flying squirrels that can reach around 3 feet in total length. See flying squirrel facts.
The Biggest and Smallest Squirrels
- Largest by weight: marmots, some of which can exceed 15 pounds before hibernation.
- Largest tree squirrels: giant squirrels of South and Southeast Asia, such as the Indian giant squirrel, which is strikingly colored in maroon, orange, and cream.
- Smallest: the African pygmy squirrel, which weighs well under an ounce, about as much as a mouse.
See how squirrels compare with other rodents in our rodent size comparison chart.
What Do Squirrels Eat?
Most squirrels are omnivores that lean heavily on plant foods: nuts, seeds, fruit, buds, flowers, and fungi. Many also eat insects, eggs, and occasionally small animals. Tree squirrels are famous for caching nuts, and the ones they forget help plant new trees. See why rodents matter to ecosystems.
How Squirrels Store Food
- Scatter hoarding: burying food items one at a time across a wide area. Gray and fox squirrels do this.
- Larder hoarding: storing food in one central location. American red squirrels and chipmunks do this.
Scatter hoarders rely on impressive spatial memory, which is why squirrels appear in our list of the smartest rodents.
Squirrels Around the World
Squirrels are native to the Americas, Europe, Asia, and Africa. They’re absent from Australia (apart from a few introductions) and Antarctica. Some, like the eastern gray squirrel, have been introduced far outside their range with serious consequences for native species. See invasive rodent species and rodents by continent.
Squirrels and People
Squirrels are among the most visible wild mammals in cities, which makes them a gateway for many people to enjoy wildlife. They can also chew wires, raid gardens, and nest in attics. Humane exclusion is the best approach for problem squirrels. See humane rodent control and urban rodents.
Squirrel Fun for Kids
Want to turn squirrel-watching into an activity? Print our free squirrel coloring pages and see how many types you can spot in your neighborhood.
Squirrel Behavior Across Types
Tree squirrels are mostly solitary outside of mating season, though they may share nests in winter for warmth. Ground squirrels range from solitary to highly social; prairie dogs and some ground squirrels live in colonies with complex communication. Flying squirrels often nest together in winter groups. Almost all squirrels are active during the day except flying squirrels, which are nocturnal. Many squirrels communicate with tail flicks, chatters, and whistles, and some ground squirrels have distinct alarm calls for aerial and ground predators.
Breeding also varies. Tree squirrels often have one or two litters a year, with babies born blind and hairless in a nest. Ground squirrels usually have one litter a year, timed so young emerge when food is plentiful. Young squirrels stay with their mothers for a few months before becoming independent.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many types of squirrels are there?
There are about 280 species in the squirrel family.
Are chipmunks squirrels?
Yes. Chipmunks are small ground squirrels.
Are groundhogs squirrels?
Yes. Groundhogs are marmots, the largest members of the squirrel family.
What is the smallest squirrel?
The African pygmy squirrel, which weighs about as much as a mouse.