California's Four Resident Tree Squirrels
All four species, trait by trait.Tap any two squirrels to compare.
| Trait | Western GraySciurus griseus | Eastern GraySciurus carolinensis | Fox SquirrelSciurus niger | Douglas SquirrelTamiasciurus douglasii |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Native or Introduced | Native to the West Coast | Introduced from the eastern U.S. | Introduced from the Midwest and eastern U.S. | Native to Pacific Northwest and Sierra/Cascade forests |
| Total Length | 18–24 in | 15–21 in | 18–27 in | 11–14 in |
| Belly | White | Usually white, with warm flanks; all-dark (melanistic) individuals have no white belly | Often rusty orange; some show surprisingly pale underparts | Cream to burnt orange, shifting with the seasons |
| Face & Eyes | Clean gray face; little or no brown eye fur | Often warm brown fur around the eye and muzzle; often paler cheeks | Warm rusty face; eye ring often less distinct | Prominent pale eye ring; ring color can vary with belly color |
| Coat | Typically evenly silver-gray | Often variable: gray-brown with warm orange-rufous tones | Grizzled gray with rusty-orange tones | Reddish-brown above; two-tone |
| Tail | Usually long, feathery, frosted silver | Thinner or denser, white-fringed; color can vary | Thick, rusty orange with dark banding | Shorter, dark with pale edges |
| Behavior | Tends to be wary and tied to woodland | Often indifferent or even curious about people; common in parks, campuses, and yards where established | Bold, human-tolerant, urban-adapted; often forages on the ground | Quick, loud, territorial; forest-dwelling |
| Vocalization | Low "kuk kuk kuk", soft warbling | Raspy squeaks, harsh chatter | Guttural grunts, barking calls | High-pitched chirps, descending trill, soft cooing |
| Habitat | Oak woodland or mixed forest | City parks, campuses, and neighborhoods | Suburbs, county parks, farms | Conifer forests, coast redwoods to mountain firs |
The Douglas Squirrel is native and noticeably smaller than the other three.
Size ranges: Animal Diversity Web, University of Michigan Museum of Zoology.