The Eastern Gray Squirrel:
The Forest’s Master Acrobat
The Gray Squirrel is one of the most famous animals in North America. They are known for their big, bushy tails and their amazing ability to jump from tree to tree. These squirrels are very smart and spend most of their time gathering food and playing in the branches.
RANGE
The Eastern Gray Squirrel is found across the eastern half of the United States and parts of southern Canada. They have also been moved to the western United States and Europe, where they have learned to live in many different types of forests and parks.
HABITAT
Gray Squirrels love forests with large trees like oaks, hickories, and walnuts because these trees provide plenty of food. They live in two types of homes:
Dreys: These are large nests made of twigs and leaves high in the branches.
Dens: During the cold winter, they prefer to sleep inside hollow tree trunks to stay warm and dry.
DIET
Gray Squirrels are mostly herbivores, and they are famous for "hoarding" or saving their food.
The Nut Harvest: They love acorns, hickory nuts, and walnuts.
Burying Food: Instead of keeping all their food in one big pile like the Red Squirrel, Gray Squirrels bury each nut in a different secret spot.
Other Foods: They also eat tree bark, berries, and occasionally insects or bird eggs.
LIFE CYCLE
Mother squirrels usually have babies twice a year, once in the late winter and again in the summer.
A litter usually has 2 to 4 babies.
Baby squirrels are born without hair and cannot see for several weeks.
They stay safe in the nest for about two months before they are strong enough to climb and find their own nuts.
SIZE & WEIGHT
The Gray Squirrel is much larger than the Red Squirrel. They are usually between 17 and 20 inches long. They are very athletic and weigh about 1 to 1.5 pounds, which is about the same as a loaf of bread.
PREDATORS
Life in the trees can be dangerous. Hawks and owls hunt them from above, while foxes, coyotes, and snakes look for them on the ground. When a Gray Squirrel is scared, it will run in a "zigzag" pattern or flatten itself against a tree trunk so it is hard to see.
ADAPTATIONS
The Gray Squirrel has a body designed for a life high off the ground.
The Big Tail: Their bushy tail has many uses. It helps them balance, acts as a warm blanket, and can even be used as an umbrella to keep the rain off their backs!
A Great Memory: Since they bury thousands of nuts each year, they have a very good memory and a great sense of smell to help them find their snacks later.
Swivel Ankles: Gray Squirrels can turn their back feet completely around! This allows them to climb down a tree trunk head-first.
FUN FACTS
Forest Gardeners: Because squirrels don't dig up some of the nuts they bury, those nuts grow into new trees. This makes squirrels the "gardeners" of the forest!
Tail Talk: Squirrels use their tails to talk to each other. A quick flick of the tail can mean "Watch out!" or "This is my tree!"
Swimming Squirrels: Even though they prefer the trees, Gray Squirrels are actually very good swimmers and can paddle across ponds if they need to.
ANIMAL TALK
The Gray Squirrel is a very expressive neighbor that uses both its voice and its tail to share news with the rest of the neighborhood.
The "Quack" and "Kuk": When they are annoyed or see a predator, they let out a series of short, buzzy barks that sound like a "kuk-kuk-kuk" followed by a longer "quaaak" sound.
Tail Flagging: A squirrel's tail is like a signaling flag. When they are nervous or trying to warn others of danger, they will rapidly flick or wave their bushy tail in a "stop and look" motion.
The Mother’s Purr: Mother squirrels make a very soft, comforting purring sound to let their babies know they are safe and that it is time for a nap.
RESPECTING WILDLIFE
Gray Squirrels are the acrobats of our neighborhoods, and they play a huge role in keeping our local parks and yards full of trees.
Master Gymnasts: These squirrels are incredibly agile and can jump up to eight feet! If you have a bird feeder that you want to keep just for the birds, placing it away from jumping-off points like fences or low branches is a great way to let the squirrels and birds each have their own space.
Winter Nests: In the winter, you might see large balls of leaves high up in the trees. These are called "dreys." By leaving these nests alone, you help a squirrel family stay warm and dry during the coldest months of the year.
Feeding with Care: If you enjoy watching squirrels and want to offer them a snack, it is best to provide natural treats like unsalted sunflower seeds or walnuts. Keeping these snacks away from the house helps the squirrels remember that their home is in the trees, while yours is inside the house!
Gray Squirrel Photos
