Massachusetts is home to a fascinating variety of squirrels, from the acrobatic tree-dwellers that zip through your backyard oaks to the shy, nocturnal gliders of the forest canopy. Whether you’re a casual observer, a wildlife enthusiast, or someone curious about the furry mammals that share our neighborhoods, understanding the types of squirrels in Massachusetts can enrich your outdoor adventures. In this guide, we’ll explore eight distinct species, detailing their physical features, behavior, diet, and the intriguing ways they interact with humans. By the end, you’ll see squirrels in a whole new light, appreciating their quirky habits and ecological importance.
1. Eastern Gray Squirrel (Sciurus carolinensis)
Fun fact: The Eastern Gray Squirrel is arguably Massachusetts’ most famous backyard acrobat, known for its bushy tail and daring leaps. These medium-sized squirrels, averaging 16–20 inches long, feature soft gray fur with occasional brownish tones and a signature white underbelly. Males and females appear similar, though slight differences in body size may be noticeable during the breeding season.
Physical Characteristics & Identification Tips
Gray squirrels have a thick, bushy tail used for balance and warmth. Their fur changes subtly with the seasons, giving them an almost silver sheen in winter. Sharp claws and strong hind legs allow for rapid climbs and impressive mid-air twists between branches.
Behavior
These squirrels are diurnal, active mainly during dawn and dusk. Known for burying acorns and nuts, they display a remarkable spatial memory to retrieve their caches. Observers might notice playful interactions between juveniles, often resembling mock wrestling matches high in trees.
Habitat and Range
Eastern Gray Squirrels inhabit deciduous forests, suburban parks, and even urban areas. They thrive where mature trees provide food and nesting sites, sometimes using abandoned bird nests or constructing leaf nests themselves.
Diet
Omnivorous yet primarily herbivorous, they feed on nuts, seeds, fruits, and occasionally small insects. Their habit of hiding acorns contributes to forest regeneration—a subtle but vital ecological role.
Reproduction and Life Cycle
Breeding occurs twice a year, typically in late winter and midsummer. Litters usually consist of 2–6 pups, born blind and helpless. By ten weeks, juveniles are ready to leave the nest, already showing climbing prowess and independent foraging skills.
Fun Facts / Unique Traits
Despite being common, they can outwit many predators. Their tail not only helps with balance but also signals other squirrels when danger approaches. They are excellent swimmers, an often-overlooked talent when exploring near rivers or ponds.
Human Interaction
Eastern Gray Squirrels adapt well to suburban life, often raiding bird feeders or stealing garden vegetables. While sometimes considered pests, they are generally harmless, providing natural pest control by consuming insects and distributing seeds.
2. American Red Squirrel (Tamiasciurus hudsonicus)
Fun fact: Red squirrels are feisty little woodland sprites, recognizable by their reddish coats and striking white belly. Slightly smaller than the gray squirrels, they average 14–17 inches in length, tail included, and are known for their rapid chatter and vocal alarms.
Physical Characteristics & Identification Tips
With vivid russet fur and tufted ears during winter, red squirrels stand out among Massachusetts’ squirrels. Sharp incisors and strong limbs aid in gnawing cones and jumping across branches, while their bushy tails act as stabilizers and blankets in harsh weather.
Behavior
Primarily diurnal, they fiercely defend territories, often vocalizing to ward off intruders. Red squirrels cache seeds in small tree cavities or on branches, demonstrating high territorial awareness and memory. They are energetic, frequently seen dashing and leaping with lightning speed.
Habitat and Range
Found mostly in coniferous forests, red squirrels favor pine, spruce, and hemlock trees. They thrive in areas where conifer seeds are abundant, and their distribution can overlap with gray squirrels, though competition is usually limited due to niche differences.
Diet
Their diet centers on seeds from cones, but they also consume berries, fungi, and occasionally bird eggs. By storing food in multiple caches, they prepare for winter scarcity, highlighting impressive planning skills for such a small mammal.
Reproduction and Life Cycle
Red squirrels have two breeding seasons, spring and late summer. Litters typically contain 3–5 young, which remain in the nest for 6–7 weeks before venturing out. Juveniles quickly learn territorial and foraging behaviors essential for survival.
Fun Facts / Unique Traits
Red squirrels are notorious for their “rattling” calls that can carry hundreds of feet through the forest, alerting others to danger. They are fast, feisty, and surprisingly fearless when protecting their territory.
Human Interaction
Although less common in urban settings, they sometimes visit bird feeders and orchards. Homeowners often find them amusing and endearing due to their bold antics and vibrant color.
3. Southern Flying Squirrel (Glaucomys volans)
Fun fact: Unlike the previous squirrels, southern flying squirrels are nocturnal and glide through the forest using a specialized skin membrane called the patagium. At just 9–11 inches long, they are tiny yet agile, often unseen by casual observers.
Physical Characteristics & Identification Tips
Southern flying squirrels have soft gray-brown fur with a creamy belly. Their large, dark eyes are adapted for night vision, and the patagium stretches from wrist to ankle, allowing gliding up to 90 feet in a single leap.
Behavior
Nocturnal and social, they often nest in groups within tree cavities or abandoned woodpecker holes. They communicate using high-pitched squeaks, especially during mating season or when alarmed. Their gliding allows quick escapes from predators and efficient foraging over large areas.
Habitat and Range
They inhabit mixed hardwood forests and wooded suburban areas with mature trees. Southern flying squirrels are more secretive than their diurnal cousins, making sightings rare unless at night with a flashlight or feeding station.
Diet
Their omnivorous diet includes nuts, seeds, fruits, fungi, and insects. They particularly favor acorns, which they store in caches for winter. Some even raid bird nests for eggs, showing opportunistic behavior.
Reproduction and Life Cycle
Breeding occurs twice a year, producing 2–7 pups per litter. Young remain in the nest for several weeks, gradually practicing gliding and foraging under parental supervision. Social groups help them survive cold winters.
Fun Facts / Unique Traits
Southern flying squirrels are one of only two gliding squirrel species in North America. Their nocturnal lifestyle and silent glides make them almost invisible, an intriguing challenge for wildlife watchers.
Human Interaction
Although rarely seen, they may inhabit attics or chimneys, attracted by warmth and shelter. People often mistake them for pests, but they are generally harmless and contribute to seed dispersal in local forests.
4. Fox Squirrel (Sciurus niger)
Fun fact: Fox squirrels are the largest tree squirrels in Massachusetts, easily recognized by their rusty-orange fur and impressive bushy tails. They can reach lengths of 20–30 inches, with tails nearly half their body length, giving them a flamboyant silhouette as they leap between branches.
Physical Characteristics & Identification Tips
Fox squirrels sport a mix of reddish-brown, gray, and sometimes black fur depending on the region. Their long, thick tails provide balance and act as a shield against cold winds. Strong claws and muscular limbs make them excellent climbers, capable of scaling trunks and vaulting across gaps with precision.
Behavior
These squirrels are primarily diurnal and known for their confident, bold demeanor. Unlike the smaller red squirrels, fox squirrels are less territorial and more tolerant of conspecifics. Observers may notice them foraging openly in open spaces or scampering across lawns, often pausing to inspect human activity.
Habitat and Range
Fox squirrels prefer mixed hardwood forests, agricultural areas, and suburban neighborhoods. They are highly adaptable, thriving wherever large trees and abundant food sources are present, from urban parks to forest edges.
Diet
Their diet includes acorns, nuts, seeds, fruits, and occasionally bird eggs. Fox squirrels are renowned for caching food, often hiding acorns in shallow soil or leaf litter, indirectly assisting in forest regeneration.
Reproduction and Life Cycle
Fox squirrels breed once or twice a year, typically producing 2–4 pups per litter. Juveniles leave the nest at around 10 weeks, learning to climb, forage, and avoid predators. Lifespan in the wild averages 6–8 years, although they can live longer under human care.
Fun Facts / Unique Traits
Fox squirrels are excellent at remembering hundreds of cache locations, showing remarkable spatial memory. Their bold nature makes them a common sight in urban parks, sometimes even feeding directly from human hands.
Human Interaction
They adapt well to suburban life, occasionally raiding bird feeders or birdhouses. While occasionally considered nuisances, their presence is often welcomed for the dynamic energy they bring to neighborhoods.
5. Northern Flying Squirrel (Glaucomys sabrinus)
Fun fact: Unlike its southern cousin, the northern flying squirrel prefers colder, northern forests and is slightly larger, ranging from 9–12 inches. Its soft gray-brown fur and large dark eyes make it a master of nocturnal life.
Physical Characteristics & Identification Tips
Northern flying squirrels feature a patagium stretching from wrist to ankle, enabling glides of up to 100 feet. Their underbellies are creamy-white, and their tails, slightly flattened, act as rudders in flight. Keen eyesight and sensitive whiskers aid in navigating dense forests at night.
Behavior
Nocturnal and social, northern flying squirrels nest communally in tree cavities or abandoned nests. They glide silently between trees, often seen only when illuminated by artificial light or during close observation at night. Their vocalizations, including high-pitched chirps, help maintain group cohesion.
Habitat and Range
They inhabit coniferous and mixed forests in northern Massachusetts, particularly in areas with mature trees and abundant food sources. Their home ranges are relatively small, often concentrated around key feeding and nesting sites.
Diet
Omnivorous, they consume fungi, nuts, seeds, fruits, and insects. Northern flying squirrels are critical for dispersing fungal spores, indirectly supporting forest health and tree growth—a hidden but vital ecological role.
Reproduction and Life Cycle
Breeding occurs once or twice annually, with 2–7 pups per litter. Young remain in nests for several weeks, learning gliding and foraging. Adults often share nests, which helps conserve warmth during harsh winter months.
Fun Facts / Unique Traits
The northern flying squirrel’s ability to glide silently and navigate in darkness makes it an enigmatic forest dweller. Its secretive lifestyle and nocturnal habits contribute to its reputation as a “ghost of the woods.”
Human Interaction
Rarely seen, these squirrels may occasionally inhabit attics or tree houses. They are harmless to humans and often admired by wildlife enthusiasts for their elusive behavior and aerial acrobatics.
6. Eastern Chipmunk (Tamias striatus)
Fun fact: Though technically a ground squirrel, the eastern chipmunk is a charismatic species often mistaken for a tiny squirrel with stripes. Adults measure around 9–11 inches, including their tails, and are instantly recognizable by the bold stripes running from head to tail.
Physical Characteristics & Identification Tips
Chipmunks have reddish-brown fur with five dark stripes along their backs and two on their faces. Their cheek pouches allow them to transport large amounts of food, a trait that is both practical and amusing to observe.
Behavior
Eastern chipmunks are diurnal and highly energetic, often seen darting across lawns or weaving through leaf litter. They are excellent diggers, creating intricate burrow systems that can span several meters with multiple entrances and storage chambers.
Habitat and Range
They thrive in deciduous forests, gardens, and suburban areas. Their burrows are typically near food sources and offer protection from predators such as hawks, foxes, and domestic cats.
Diet
Omnivorous, chipmunks eat nuts, seeds, berries, insects, and small vertebrates. They hoard food in their burrows for winter, demonstrating impressive foresight and memory for cache locations.
Reproduction and Life Cycle
Chipmunks breed twice annually, with litters of 2–8 young. Offspring remain in the burrow for several weeks, gradually exploring outside under the watchful eyes of their mother. Adults are generally solitary outside of mating season.
Fun Facts / Unique Traits
Chipmunks are vocal creatures, using chirps and trills to communicate danger or mark territory. Their striped coats provide camouflage, and their burrows are engineering marvels of the forest floor.
Human Interaction
Chipmunks are familiar to gardeners and hikers. While they can dig up bulbs or raid bird feeders, they are generally harmless and admired for their playful and industrious nature.
7. Red Squirrel (Tamiasciurus hudsonicus)
Fun fact: Red squirrels are spirited, feisty little tree squirrels, often mistaken for chipmunks at a glance. Adults measure about 7–9 inches in body length, with tails adding another 5–7 inches. Their reddish-brown coats and white underbellies make them stand out against the green forest backdrop.
Physical Characteristics & Identification Tips
Red squirrels are smaller than the gray or fox squirrels, with sharp claws and strong hind legs designed for climbing and leaping. Tufts of fur on their ears are more prominent in winter, and their bushy tails serve as a balancing tool as well as a blanket during colder months.
Behavior
These squirrels are highly territorial and vocal, often defending their preferred feeding grounds vigorously. They are primarily diurnal, seen hopping from branch to branch or vocalizing warning calls when intruders approach.
Habitat and Range
Red squirrels thrive in coniferous and mixed forests, particularly where pine and spruce are abundant. In Massachusetts, they are mostly found in northern forests but may also venture into parks or suburban wooded areas.
Diet
Their diet mainly consists of seeds from conifers, nuts, fruits, fungi, and occasionally bird eggs. Red squirrels are known for hoarding food in caches to survive the harsh winter months, storing it under bark or in tree crevices.
Reproduction and Life Cycle
Breeding occurs twice a year, yielding litters of 2–5 pups. Juveniles learn to forage and climb before leaving the nest, gradually establishing their own territories. Lifespan averages 5–6 years in the wild.
Fun Facts / Unique Traits
Red squirrels are known for their vocalizations, including chatter and alarm calls. Their fearless nature allows them to coexist with humans in suburban settings while still dominating their territories in the wild.
Human Interaction
Gardeners may notice red squirrels raiding bird feeders, yet their presence is generally welcomed for the liveliness they bring. Observers are often charmed by their quick movements and playful antics.
8. Eastern Gray Squirrel (Sciurus carolinensis)
Fun fact: The eastern gray squirrel is the most common and recognizable squirrel in Massachusetts, often spotted in urban parks, suburban neighborhoods, and forested areas. Adults typically measure 16–20 inches in total length, with bushy tails almost as long as their bodies.
Physical Characteristics & Identification Tips
Eastern gray squirrels have predominantly gray fur with a mix of white and black hairs, though melanistic (black) variants exist. Their long, bushy tails provide balance and warmth, while sharp claws and strong limbs make them adept climbers.
Behavior
Diurnal and highly adaptable, gray squirrels are known for their agility and intelligence. They exhibit remarkable problem-solving skills when accessing food, including bird feeders, and are famous for their acrobatic leaps between trees and man-made structures.
Habitat and Range
Gray squirrels inhabit a wide range of environments, from deciduous forests to city parks. In Massachusetts, they are widespread and have adapted well to urbanization, often thriving near human populations.
Diet
Their diet includes nuts, seeds, fruits, fungi, and occasionally small insects or bird eggs. Like other squirrels, they cache food for winter survival, which helps maintain local tree populations through forgotten caches that sprout into new trees.
Reproduction and Life Cycle
Gray squirrels breed twice per year, producing litters of 2–6 pups. Juveniles leave the nest around 10 weeks of age, quickly learning to forage and navigate the treetops. They can live up to 12 years in the wild, though most survive 6–8 years.
Fun Facts / Unique Traits
Gray squirrels are notorious for their adaptability, thriving in both rural and urban settings. They have an incredible memory for their cache locations and often demonstrate playful behaviors such as chasing each other and “tail flicking” displays.
Human Interaction
These squirrels are highly visible to people and are often hand-fed in parks, though caution is advised to avoid dependency. They bring joy to many observers and provide a living example of wildlife adapting seamlessly to human environments.
Conclusion
Massachusetts is home to a fascinating array of squirrel species, each with its own distinctive traits, behaviors, and ecological roles. From the bold and adaptable eastern gray squirrel to the feisty red squirrel and the elusive flying squirrels, these creatures contribute to the state’s biodiversity in remarkable ways. Observing them offers insight into their social dynamics, foraging strategies, and interactions with the environment. While some squirrels have adapted seamlessly to urban life, others remain more dependent on forested habitats, reminding us of the importance of preserving natural spaces. Understanding these squirrels deepens our appreciation of Massachusetts’ wildlife and highlights the delicate balance between human development and the thriving ecosystems around us.
FAQ: Squirrels in Massachusetts
1. How many types of squirrels live in Massachusetts?
There are eight commonly recognized squirrel species in Massachusetts, including gray, red, fox, and flying squirrels.
2. Are there flying squirrels in Massachusetts?
Yes, both the northern and southern flying squirrels can be found in Massachusetts, mostly in forested areas where they glide between trees at night.
3. What do squirrels in Massachusetts eat?
Massachusetts squirrels have diverse diets including nuts, seeds, fruits, fungi, and occasionally small insects, depending on the species and season.
4. Do squirrels in Massachusetts hibernate?
No, squirrels in Massachusetts do not hibernate. They store food for the winter and remain active, although they may spend more time in their nests during cold spells.
5. Can squirrels become a nuisance in urban areas?
Yes, some species like eastern gray squirrels may invade attics or raid bird feeders, but they also play an important role in seed dispersal and local ecology.
6. Are black squirrels rare in Massachusetts?
Black squirrels are relatively uncommon in Massachusetts. They are a melanistic variant of the Eastern Gray Squirrel and can be seen in some urban parks and wooded areas, but most squirrels you see will be gray or red.
7. Can you hunt red squirrels in Massachusetts?
Yes, red squirrels can be hunted in Massachusetts, but only during the regulated small game season. Hunters must have a valid hunting license and follow the state’s bag limits and safety rules.
8. Is it legal to shoot squirrels with a pellet gun in Massachusetts?
No, using a pellet gun or air rifle to shoot squirrels in Massachusetts is generally illegal, except in certain private areas or for pest control with proper permits. Firearms regulations must always be followed.
9. Can I own a flying squirrel in Massachusetts?
No, it is illegal to keep a flying squirrel as a pet in Massachusetts. Flying squirrels are wild animals and are protected under state wildlife laws.
10. Is it legal to relocate squirrels in Massachusetts?
No, relocating squirrels is illegal in Massachusetts. Moving wildlife can spread disease and disrupt ecosystems. If you have a nuisance squirrel, contact a licensed wildlife removal professional.
11. Is it illegal to feed squirrels in Massachusetts?
Feeding squirrels is not strictly illegal, but it is discouraged in many towns and cities because it can attract pests, cause aggressive behavior, and create unhealthy populations of squirrels.