Family: Sciuridae, Squirrels view all from this family

Description A small gray squirrel with a bushy tail edged in white. Belly is whitish. Gray back may have a red-brown tinge. Black-morph individuals and albinos can be quite common in some areas.

Dimensions 38-52cm, 15-24cm, 338-750g

Similar Species Tail is typically browner than the Western Gray Squirrel, lacking any silvery tint

Breeding Breeding begins in January-February and a 40-day gestation period results in 1-6 blind, hairless young being born in February and March. Makes leaf nests the size of bushel-baskets.

Habitat Forests & woodlands, Cities, suburbs & towns

Range Plains, Great Lakes, New England, Mid-Atlantic, Southeast, Florida, Texas, California, Northwest, Eastern Canada

Discussion Feed on acorns, other nuts, flowers, seeds, buds, bark, and fungi. Abundant, diurnal, and considered game animals in many states. The most commonly seen mammal in the eastern United States. Introduced in many western cities. Favors hardwood or mixed forests, including residential areas.