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The Story Behind the Squirrels

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How Squirrels Came West

Why these introduced squirrels are here: how Americans built nature into their cities, and California inherited it.

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Squirrel Photo Library

A growing visual reference of California tree squirrel photos, organized by species, with open-licensed images from iNaturalist.

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Native vs Introduced

Which of California's squirrels belong here, which were brought in, and why the distinction matters.

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Living With Squirrels

Feeding, deterrents, attics, and what's legal when squirrels and people share space.

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Common Questions

Quick answers to the questions visitors ask most: myths, look-alikes, and common concerns.

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Resources

Helpful guides and links, starting with what to do if you find a baby squirrel.

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Featured story

Fox squirrels in a tree — California's introduced urban squirrels 1

The Bigger Story

How Squirrels Came West

California’s Eastern Gray and Fox Squirrels did not arrive by accident. Why are these introduced squirrels here? The surprising answer is a story about how Americans deliberately built nature into their cities, and how California inherited that invention.

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Photo Credits

  1. Fox Squirrel family — Adobe Stock.

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