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Eastern Gray Squirrel

Eastern Gray Squirrel

Sciurus carolinensis

Least Concern

Quick Facts

Kingdom: Animalia
Abundance: Common
Habitat: Forest, Urban
Activity: Diurnal (Active during day)
Lifespan: up to 12 years

A tree squirrel with predominantly gray fur that may have a reddish tinge, a white belly, and a large bushy tail. The Gray Squirrel often hoards food in many small places. Squirrels have a very accurate memory for their hidden food, with some of the food being retrieved quickly and other food being left in the hiding spot for months.

Diet

Feeds mostly on nuts, flowers and buds of more than 24 species of oaks, 10 species of hickory, pecan, walnut and beech tree species.

Activity Pattern

Diurnal (Active during day)
Kingdom: Animalia
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Phylum: Chordata
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Class: Mammalia
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Order: Rodentia
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Family: Sciuridae
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Genus: Sciurus
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Species: Sciurus carolinensis

Scientific Name

Sciurus carolinensis
Breeding Season
December-February and May-June
Lifespan
up to 12 years

Tracks or Signs

Tracks or signs

Behavior

The eastern gray squirrel is a scatter-hoarder; it hoards food in numerous small caches for later recovery. During the spring, summer and autumn, squirrels have their peak activity times about 2 hours after sunrise and 2-5 hours before sunset. This allows them to avoid the heat of the day. During the winter, they are unimodally diurnal with a peak just 2-4 hours before sunset. Generally, females are more active in the summer months and males are more active in the winter months. A dominance hierarchy forms in males during breeding times; females mate with several males.

Activity Pattern

Diurnal (Active during day)

Habitat Types

Forest
Urban

Geographic Distribution

Ranges over the eastern United States to just west of the Mississippi River and north to Canada.

Local Abundance

Common

Conservation Status

Least Concern

This species is widespread and abundant. No immediate threat to survival.

How You Can Help

  • Report sightings to contribute to population monitoring
  • Support habitat conservation efforts
  • Follow guidelines when observing wildlife
No field notes or observations available for this species.

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