80 Types of Tree Squirrels: Species, Habitats, and Identification

Tree squirrels are among the most familiar members of the squirrel family, but their worldwide diversity is much greater than the gray, fox, and red squirrels commonly seen in North America and Europe. The types of tree squirrels found around the world range from tiny tropical pygmy squirrels to giant Asian species with extremely long tails and powerful climbing bodies.

The expression tree squirrel can be used in more than one way. In a narrow taxonomic context it may refer to particular groups within the squirrel family, while wildlife guides often use it more broadly for squirrels that spend much of their lives climbing, feeding, resting, and nesting in trees. For that reason, this article treats tree squirrels as an ecological group and presents 80 representative arboreal species from the Americas, Europe, Asia, and Africa.

This guide focuses on practical identification. For each species, you will find its scientific name, general range, typical habitat, useful field marks, diet, behavior, and reasons the species stands out. Taxonomy can change as new genetic and morphological research is published, so a few names or species boundaries may differ among modern mammal databases and regional field guides.

What Are the Main Types of Tree Squirrels?

The main types of tree squirrels include gray squirrels, fox squirrels, red and pine squirrels, tropical American squirrels, Asian giant squirrels, oriental tree squirrels, palm squirrels, striped squirrels, pygmy squirrels, Sunda squirrels, Sulawesi dwarf squirrels, African sun squirrels, bush squirrels, and African giant squirrels. Although these animals belong to several evolutionary lineages, they share many arboreal adaptations, including strong curved claws, powerful hind limbs, flexible ankles, and tails that help with balance and communication.

There are more than 80 living squirrels that can reasonably be described as tree-dwelling species, so the 80 entries below are a practical global selection rather than a claim that exactly 80 tree squirrel species exist.

Quick Comparison of 80 Types of Tree Squirrels

#	Common Name	Scientific Name	Main Region
1	Eastern Gray Squirrel	Sciurus carolinensis	eastern North America
2	Eastern Fox Squirrel	Sciurus niger	central and eastern North America
3	Western Gray Squirrel	Sciurus griseus	western North America
4	Abert’s Squirrel	Sciurus aberti	southwestern United States and northern Mexico
5	Arizona Gray Squirrel	Sciurus arizonensis	Arizona, New Mexico, and northern Mexico
6	Mexican Gray Squirrel	Sciurus aureogaster	Mexico and parts of Central America
7	Mexican Fox Squirrel	Sciurus nayaritensis	western Mexico and adjoining parts of the southwestern United States
8	Allen’s Squirrel	Sciurus alleni	northeastern and central Mexico
9	Collie’s Squirrel	Sciurus colliaei	western Mexico
10	Deppe’s Squirrel	Sciurus deppei	southern Mexico and Central America
11	Peters’s Squirrel	Sciurus oculatus	central Mexico
12	Variegated Squirrel	Sciurus variegatoides	southern Mexico and Central America
13	Yucatan Squirrel	Sciurus yucatanensis	Yucatan Peninsula and nearby Central America
14	Eurasian Red Squirrel	Sciurus vulgaris	Europe and northern Asia
15	Persian Squirrel	Sciurus anomalus	Caucasus, southeastern Europe, and western Asia
16	Japanese Squirrel	Sciurus lis	Japan
17	Red-tailed Squirrel	Sciurus granatensis	southern Central America and northern South America
18	Guianan Squirrel	Sciurus aestuans	northern and eastern South America
19	Northern Amazon Red Squirrel	Sciurus igniventris	northern and western Amazonia
20	Southern Amazon Red Squirrel	Sciurus spadiceus	southern and western Amazonian regions
21	Central American Dwarf Squirrel	Microsciurus alfari	Central America and northwestern South America
22	Amazon Dwarf Squirrel	Microsciurus flaviventer	western Amazonia
23	Western Dwarf Squirrel	Microsciurus mimulus	Central America and northwestern South America
24	American Red Squirrel	Tamiasciurus hudsonicus	Canada, Alaska, and much of the northern United States
25	Douglas Squirrel	Tamiasciurus douglasii	Pacific Northwest of North America
26	Bangs’s Mountain Squirrel	Syntheosciurus brochus	Costa Rica and western Panama
27	Pale Giant Squirrel	Ratufa affinis	Malay Peninsula, Sumatra, Borneo, and nearby areas
28	Black Giant Squirrel	Ratufa bicolor	South and Southeast Asia under traditional taxonomic treatments
29	Indian Giant Squirrel	Ratufa indica	peninsular India
30	Grizzled Giant Squirrel	Ratufa macroura	Sri Lanka and southern India
31	Ear-spot Squirrel	Callosciurus adamsi	Borneo
32	Kloss’s Squirrel	Callosciurus albescens	northern Sumatra
33	Kinabalu Squirrel	Callosciurus baluensis	northern Borneo
34	Gray-bellied Squirrel	Callosciurus caniceps	mainland Southeast Asia
35	Pallas’s Squirrel	Callosciurus erythraeus	southern China and parts of South and Southeast Asia
36	Finlayson’s Squirrel	Callosciurus finlaysonii	mainland Southeast Asia
37	Hon Khoai Squirrel	Callosciurus honkhoaiensis	Hon Khoai Island, southern Vietnam
38	Inornate Squirrel	Callosciurus inornatus	Laos, Vietnam, and southern China
39	Mentawai Squirrel	Callosciurus melanogaster	Mentawai Islands of Indonesia
40	Black-striped Squirrel	Callosciurus nigrovittatus	Malay Peninsula, Sumatra, Java, and nearby areas
41	Plantain Squirrel	Callosciurus notatus	Malay Peninsula, Singapore, Sumatra, Java, Borneo, and nearby areas
42	Borneo Black-banded Squirrel	Callosciurus orestes	Borneo
43	Phayre’s Squirrel	Callosciurus phayrei	Myanmar and nearby mainland Southeast Asia
44	Prevost’s Squirrel	Callosciurus prevostii	Malay Peninsula, Sumatra, Borneo, and nearby islands
45	Irrawaddy Squirrel	Callosciurus pygerythrus	northeastern South Asia, Myanmar, and southern China
46	Anderson’s Squirrel	Callosciurus quinquestriatus	southern China and Myanmar
47	Layard’s Palm Squirrel	Funambulus layardi	Sri Lanka
48	Dusky Palm Squirrel	Funambulus obscurus	Sri Lanka
49	Indian Palm Squirrel	Funambulus palmarum	southern India and Sri Lanka
50	Nilgiri Striped Palm Squirrel	Funambulus sublineatus	Western Ghats of southern India
51	Jungle Palm Squirrel	Funambulus tristriatus	India
52	Northern Palm Squirrel	Funambulus pennantii	northern South Asia
53	Himalayan Striped Squirrel	Tamiops mcclellandii	Himalayan region and parts of Southeast Asia
54	Maritime Striped Squirrel	Tamiops maritimus	southern and eastern China, Taiwan, Laos, and Vietnam
55	Cambodian Striped Squirrel	Tamiops rodolphii	Cambodia, Laos, Thailand, and Vietnam
56	Swinhoe’s Striped Squirrel	Tamiops swinhoei	parts of China and neighboring Southeast Asia
57	Philippine Pygmy Squirrel	Exilisciurus concinnus	Philippines
58	Least Pygmy Squirrel	Exilisciurus exilis	Borneo and nearby parts of Sundaland
59	Tufted Pygmy Squirrel	Exilisciurus whiteheadi	Borneo
60	Black-eared Pygmy Squirrel	Nannosciurus melanotis	Southeast Asia
61	Sculptor Squirrel	Glyphotes simus	Borneo
62	Sulawesi Giant Squirrel	Rubrisciurus rubriventer	Sulawesi, Indonesia
63	Brooke’s Squirrel	Sundasciurus brookei	Borneo
64	Davao Squirrel	Sundasciurus davensis	Mindanao, Philippines
65	Horse-tailed Squirrel	Sundasciurus hippurus	Sundaland
66	Jentink’s Squirrel	Sundasciurus jentinki	Borneo
67	Low’s Squirrel	Sundasciurus lowii	Borneo, Sumatra, and nearby Sunda regions
68	Slender Squirrel	Sundasciurus tenuis	Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, and nearby areas
69	Northern Palawan Tree Squirrel	Sundasciurus juvencus	Palawan region of the Philippines
70	Philippine Tree Squirrel	Sundasciurus philippinensis	Philippines
71	Secretive Dwarf Squirrel	Prosciurillus abstrusus	Sulawesi region of Indonesia
72	Alston’s Sulawesi Dwarf Squirrel	Prosciurillus alstoni	Sulawesi, Indonesia
73	Whitish Dwarf Squirrel	Prosciurillus leucomus	Sulawesi and neighboring Indonesian islands
74	Celebes Dwarf Squirrel	Prosciurillus murinus	Sulawesi, Indonesia
75	Weber’s Dwarf Squirrel	Prosciurillus weberi	Sulawesi, Indonesia
76	Gambian Sun Squirrel	Heliosciurus gambianus	sub-Saharan Africa
77	Red-legged Sun Squirrel	Heliosciurus rufobrachium	western and central Africa
78	Mutable Sun Squirrel	Heliosciurus mutabilis	eastern Africa
79	Smith’s Bush Squirrel	Paraxerus cepapi	southern Africa
80	Forest Giant Squirrel	Protoxerus stangeri	western and central Africa

1. Eastern Gray Squirrel

Scientific name: Sciurus carolinensis

Found in eastern North America, the Eastern Gray Squirrel is a useful example of how tree squirrels adapt to local forests and wooded landscapes. It is most often associated with deciduous and mixed forests, parks, campuses, and suburban neighborhoods. Its daily routine typically involves searching trees and the forest floor for seasonal foods before returning to the safety of branches or nest sites.

Identification is easiest when you combine location with gray upperparts, pale underparts, and a large bushy tail. These features are most helpful when viewed together with the squirrel’s range and the type of woodland in which it is seen. Geographic range is especially valuable when several related squirrels have overlapping gray, brown, or reddish coats.

Its diet commonly includes acorns, walnuts, hickory nuts, seeds, buds, fruits, and fungi. Food availability changes through the year, so individuals may shift between fruits, seeds, flowers, fungi, bark, buds, or small animal foods depending on the species and season. As with many squirrels, its feeding and caching behavior can influence the movement of seeds through the habitat.

For wildlife watchers, the best approach is to observe quietly from a distance and note the animal’s size, tail shape, movement pattern, feeding height, and surrounding vegetation. Avoid feeding or approaching nests, since natural behavior provides better identification clues and causes less disturbance.

2. Eastern Fox Squirrel

Scientific name: Sciurus niger

The Eastern Fox Squirrel is a tree-dwelling member of the squirrel family that occurs in central and eastern North America. It is most often associated with open woodland, oak savanna, forest edges, parks, and mature agricultural landscapes. It spends much of its active period climbing and foraging, using the tail as a balancing structure when negotiating narrow branches or changing direction rapidly.

For field identification, look for large body size, a heavy tail, and highly variable gray, rusty, brown, or black coloration. These features are most helpful when viewed together with the squirrel’s range and the type of woodland in which it is seen. When identification is uncertain, habitat and geographic range are usually more dependable than a single coat color.

Its diet commonly includes acorns, nuts, seeds, fruits, buds, and fungi. Food availability changes through the year, so individuals may shift between fruits, seeds, flowers, fungi, bark, buds, or small animal foods depending on the species and season. Its presence can indicate that the surrounding landscape still provides usable tree cover, food plants, and safe nesting locations.

3. Western Gray Squirrel

Scientific name: Sciurus griseus

Among the tree squirrels of western North America, the Western Gray Squirrel is recognized by a combination of habitat, body pattern, and behavior. It is most often associated with oak woodland, mixed conifer-hardwood forest, and mature wooded landscapes. It is mainly active during daylight and moves between branches with quick leaps, short climbs, and frequent pauses to inspect food.

The most useful visible clues are clean gray upperparts, white underparts, and a long silvery tail. These features are most helpful when viewed together with the squirrel’s range and the type of woodland in which it is seen. Color alone should not be used as the only identification feature because squirrels often vary between regions, seasons, ages, and individuals.

Its diet commonly includes acorns, pine seeds, nuts, fungi, and seasonal plant foods. Food availability changes through the year, so individuals may shift between fruits, seeds, flowers, fungi, bark, buds, or small animal foods depending on the species and season. Because it consumes and transports plant material, it participates in forest food webs as both a consumer and prey species.

4. Abert’s Squirrel

Scientific name: Sciurus aberti

Abert’s Squirrel is an arboreal squirrel associated with southwestern United States and northern Mexico. It is most often associated with ponderosa pine forest and related mountain woodland. Like many arboreal squirrels, it relies on strong hind limbs and sharp claws to move across trunks and branches, retreating into tree cover when disturbed.

A careful observer should pay particular attention to long seasonal ear tufts, gray body fur, and a broad bushy tail. These features are most helpful when viewed together with the squirrel’s range and the type of woodland in which it is seen. Photographs of the back, belly, tail, and face are more useful than a single distant image when comparing similar species.

Its diet commonly includes ponderosa pine seeds, buds, fungi, bark-associated tissues, and other plant foods. Food availability changes through the year, so individuals may shift between fruits, seeds, flowers, fungi, bark, buds, or small animal foods depending on the species and season. The species is part of a broader arboreal community in which squirrels help move seeds, consume fungi and plant material, and support predators higher in the food web.

5. Arizona Gray Squirrel

Scientific name: Sciurus arizonensis

Found in Arizona, New Mexico, and northern Mexico, the Arizona Gray Squirrel is a useful example of how tree squirrels adapt to local forests and wooded landscapes. It is most often associated with mountain woodland, wooded canyons, and riparian forests. Its daily routine typically involves searching trees and the forest floor for seasonal foods before returning to the safety of branches or nest sites.

Identification is easiest when you combine location with gray upperparts, paler underparts, and a full tail. These features are most helpful when viewed together with the squirrel’s range and the type of woodland in which it is seen. Geographic range is especially valuable when several related squirrels have overlapping gray, brown, or reddish coats.

Its diet commonly includes seeds, nuts, fruits, fungi, flowers, and buds. Food availability changes through the year, so individuals may shift between fruits, seeds, flowers, fungi, bark, buds, or small animal foods depending on the species and season. As with many squirrels, its feeding and caching behavior can influence the movement of seeds through the habitat.

6. Mexican Gray Squirrel

Scientific name: Sciurus aureogaster

The Mexican Gray Squirrel is a tree-dwelling member of the squirrel family that occurs in Mexico and parts of Central America. It is most often associated with tropical, subtropical, and montane forests as well as wooded urban areas. It spends much of its active period climbing and foraging, using the tail as a balancing structure when negotiating narrow branches or changing direction rapidly.

For field identification, look for variable gray to dark upperparts with reddish, orange, or pale underparts. These features are most helpful when viewed together with the squirrel’s range and the type of woodland in which it is seen. When identification is uncertain, habitat and geographic range are usually more dependable than a single coat color.

Its diet commonly includes fruits, seeds, nuts, buds, flowers, and other plant foods. Food availability changes through the year, so individuals may shift between fruits, seeds, flowers, fungi, bark, buds, or small animal foods depending on the species and season. Its presence can indicate that the surrounding landscape still provides usable tree cover, food plants, and safe nesting locations.

7. Mexican Fox Squirrel

Scientific name: Sciurus nayaritensis

Among the tree squirrels of western Mexico and adjoining parts of the southwestern United States, the Mexican Fox Squirrel is recognized by a combination of habitat, body pattern, and behavior. It is most often associated with pine-oak forests and mountain woodland. It is mainly active during daylight and moves between branches with quick leaps, short climbs, and frequent pauses to inspect food.

The most useful visible clues are large size, gray or brown upperparts, and a substantial bushy tail. These features are most helpful when viewed together with the squirrel’s range and the type of woodland in which it is seen. Color alone should not be used as the only identification feature because squirrels often vary between regions, seasons, ages, and individuals.

Its diet commonly includes acorns, seeds, fruits, fungi, and nuts. Food availability changes through the year, so individuals may shift between fruits, seeds, flowers, fungi, bark, buds, or small animal foods depending on the species and season. Because it consumes and transports plant material, it participates in forest food webs as both a consumer and prey species.

8. Allen’s Squirrel

Scientific name: Sciurus alleni

Allen’s Squirrel is an arboreal squirrel associated with northeastern and central Mexico. It is most often associated with pine-oak forest and other wooded mountain habitats. Like many arboreal squirrels, it relies on strong hind limbs and sharp claws to move across trunks and branches, retreating into tree cover when disturbed.

A careful observer should pay particular attention to medium-sized build with gray-brown to darker forest coloration. These features are most helpful when viewed together with the squirrel’s range and the type of woodland in which it is seen. Photographs of the back, belly, tail, and face are more useful than a single distant image when comparing similar species.

Its diet commonly includes seeds, nuts, fruits, buds, and seasonal plant material. Food availability changes through the year, so individuals may shift between fruits, seeds, flowers, fungi, bark, buds, or small animal foods depending on the species and season. The species is part of a broader arboreal community in which squirrels help move seeds, consume fungi and plant material, and support predators higher in the food web.

9. Collie’s Squirrel

Scientific name: Sciurus colliaei

Found in western Mexico, the Collie’s Squirrel is a useful example of how tree squirrels adapt to local forests and wooded landscapes. It is most often associated with tropical dry forest, subtropical woodland, and forested slopes. Its daily routine typically involves searching trees and the forest floor for seasonal foods before returning to the safety of branches or nest sites.

Identification is easiest when you combine location with medium to large body with variable gray, brown, yellowish, or reddish tones. These features are most helpful when viewed together with the squirrel’s range and the type of woodland in which it is seen. Geographic range is especially valuable when several related squirrels have overlapping gray, brown, or reddish coats.

Its diet commonly includes fruits, seeds, nuts, flowers, and other plant foods. Food availability changes through the year, so individuals may shift between fruits, seeds, flowers, fungi, bark, buds, or small animal foods depending on the species and season. As with many squirrels, its feeding and caching behavior can influence the movement of seeds through the habitat.

10. Deppe’s Squirrel

Scientific name: Sciurus deppei

The Deppe’s Squirrel is a tree-dwelling member of the squirrel family that occurs in southern Mexico and Central America. It is most often associated with humid tropical forest, evergreen forest, and shaded woodland. It spends much of its active period climbing and foraging, using the tail as a balancing structure when negotiating narrow branches or changing direction rapidly.

For field identification, look for small body and darker olive-brown to reddish-brown coloration. These features are most helpful when viewed together with the squirrel’s range and the type of woodland in which it is seen. When identification is uncertain, habitat and geographic range are usually more dependable than a single coat color.

Its diet commonly includes fruits, seeds, fungi, flowers, and insects. Food availability changes through the year, so individuals may shift between fruits, seeds, flowers, fungi, bark, buds, or small animal foods depending on the species and season. Its presence can indicate that the surrounding landscape still provides usable tree cover, food plants, and safe nesting locations.

11. Peters’s Squirrel

Scientific name: Sciurus oculatus

Among the tree squirrels of central Mexico, the Peters’s Squirrel is recognized by a combination of habitat, body pattern, and behavior. It is most often associated with upland forest, pine-oak woodland, and mature wooded habitats. It is mainly active during daylight and moves between branches with quick leaps, short climbs, and frequent pauses to inspect food.

The most useful visible clues are classic Sciurus proportions with a broad tail and gray-brown coloration. These features are most helpful when viewed together with the squirrel’s range and the type of woodland in which it is seen. Color alone should not be used as the only identification feature because squirrels often vary between regions, seasons, ages, and individuals.

Its diet commonly includes seeds, fruits, nuts, buds, and fungi. Food availability changes through the year, so individuals may shift between fruits, seeds, flowers, fungi, bark, buds, or small animal foods depending on the species and season. Because it consumes and transports plant material, it participates in forest food webs as both a consumer and prey species.

12. Variegated Squirrel

Scientific name: Sciurus variegatoides

Variegated Squirrel is an arboreal squirrel associated with southern Mexico and Central America. It is most often associated with dry woodland, tropical forest, plantations, gardens, and parks. Like many arboreal squirrels, it relies on strong hind limbs and sharp claws to move across trunks and branches, retreating into tree cover when disturbed.

A careful observer should pay particular attention to extremely variable combinations of black, gray, brown, red, yellow, and white. These features are most helpful when viewed together with the squirrel’s range and the type of woodland in which it is seen. Photographs of the back, belly, tail, and face are more useful than a single distant image when comparing similar species.

Its diet commonly includes fruits, seeds, nuts, flowers, and plant material. Food availability changes through the year, so individuals may shift between fruits, seeds, flowers, fungi, bark, buds, or small animal foods depending on the species and season. The species is part of a broader arboreal community in which squirrels help move seeds, consume fungi and plant material, and support predators higher in the food web.

13. Yucatan Squirrel

Scientific name: Sciurus yucatanensis

Found in Yucatan Peninsula and nearby Central America, the Yucatan Squirrel is a useful example of how tree squirrels adapt to local forests and wooded landscapes. It is most often associated with tropical forest and other wooded habitats. Its daily routine typically involves searching trees and the forest floor for seasonal foods before returning to the safety of branches or nest sites.

Identification is easiest when you combine location with grayish to brownish upperparts, a lighter underside, and a long tail. These features are most helpful when viewed together with the squirrel’s range and the type of woodland in which it is seen. Geographic range is especially valuable when several related squirrels have overlapping gray, brown, or reddish coats.

Its diet commonly includes fruits, seeds, nuts, buds, and flowers. Food availability changes through the year, so individuals may shift between fruits, seeds, flowers, fungi, bark, buds, or small animal foods depending on the species and season. As with many squirrels, its feeding and caching behavior can influence the movement of seeds through the habitat.

14. Eurasian Red Squirrel

Scientific name: Sciurus vulgaris

The Eurasian Red Squirrel is a tree-dwelling member of the squirrel family that occurs in Europe and northern Asia. It is most often associated with coniferous, deciduous, and mixed forests as well as large parks. It spends much of its active period climbing and foraging, using the tail as a balancing structure when negotiating narrow branches or changing direction rapidly.

For field identification, look for variable red, brown, gray, or dark fur, pale underparts, and seasonal ear tufts. These features are most helpful when viewed together with the squirrel’s range and the type of woodland in which it is seen. When identification is uncertain, habitat and geographic range are usually more dependable than a single coat color.

Its diet commonly includes conifer seeds, nuts, fungi, buds, berries, and fruits. Food availability changes through the year, so individuals may shift between fruits, seeds, flowers, fungi, bark, buds, or small animal foods depending on the species and season. Its presence can indicate that the surrounding landscape still provides usable tree cover, food plants, and safe nesting locations.

15. Persian Squirrel

Scientific name: Sciurus anomalus

Among the tree squirrels of Caucasus, southeastern Europe, and western Asia, the Persian Squirrel is recognized by a combination of habitat, body pattern, and behavior. It is most often associated with oak woodland and mixed forests. It is mainly active during daylight and moves between branches with quick leaps, short climbs, and frequent pauses to inspect food.

The most useful visible clues are brown or gray-brown upperparts with warmer buff, yellowish, or reddish underparts. These features are most helpful when viewed together with the squirrel’s range and the type of woodland in which it is seen. Color alone should not be used as the only identification feature because squirrels often vary between regions, seasons, ages, and individuals.

Its diet commonly includes acorns, nuts, seeds, fruits, buds, and fungi. Food availability changes through the year, so individuals may shift between fruits, seeds, flowers, fungi, bark, buds, or small animal foods depending on the species and season. Because it consumes and transports plant material, it participates in forest food webs as both a consumer and prey species.

16. Japanese Squirrel

Scientific name: Sciurus lis

Japanese Squirrel is an arboreal squirrel associated with Japan. It is most often associated with temperate forest with nut- and seed-producing trees. Like many arboreal squirrels, it relies on strong hind limbs and sharp claws to move across trunks and branches, retreating into tree cover when disturbed.

A careful observer should pay particular attention to gray-brown to reddish seasonal coat and a long bushy tail. These features are most helpful when viewed together with the squirrel’s range and the type of woodland in which it is seen. Photographs of the back, belly, tail, and face are more useful than a single distant image when comparing similar species.

Its diet commonly includes nuts, seeds, fruits, buds, flowers, and fungi. Food availability changes through the year, so individuals may shift between fruits, seeds, flowers, fungi, bark, buds, or small animal foods depending on the species and season. The species is part of a broader arboreal community in which squirrels help move seeds, consume fungi and plant material, and support predators higher in the food web.

17. Red-tailed Squirrel

Scientific name: Sciurus granatensis

Found in southern Central America and northern South America, the Red-tailed Squirrel is a useful example of how tree squirrels adapt to local forests and wooded landscapes. It is most often associated with tropical forest, montane woodland, plantations, and parks. Its daily routine typically involves searching trees and the forest floor for seasonal foods before returning to the safety of branches or nest sites.

Identification is easiest when you combine location with variable body color with frequent reddish, orange, or chestnut tones on the tail. These features are most helpful when viewed together with the squirrel’s range and the type of woodland in which it is seen. Geographic range is especially valuable when several related squirrels have overlapping gray, brown, or reddish coats.

Its diet commonly includes fruits, seeds, nuts, flowers, fungi, and other plant foods. Food availability changes through the year, so individuals may shift between fruits, seeds, flowers, fungi, bark, buds, or small animal foods depending on the species and season. As with many squirrels, its feeding and caching behavior can influence the movement of seeds through the habitat.

18. Guianan Squirrel

Scientific name: Sciurus aestuans

The Guianan Squirrel is a tree-dwelling member of the squirrel family that occurs in northern and eastern South America. It is most often associated with humid tropical and subtropical forest. It spends much of its active period climbing and foraging, using the tail as a balancing structure when negotiating narrow branches or changing direction rapidly.

For field identification, look for small body with brownish to reddish-brown upperparts and a lighter underside. These features are most helpful when viewed together with the squirrel’s range and the type of woodland in which it is seen. When identification is uncertain, habitat and geographic range are usually more dependable than a single coat color.

Its diet commonly includes fruits, nuts, seeds, buds, and fungi. Food availability changes through the year, so individuals may shift between fruits, seeds, flowers, fungi, bark, buds, or small animal foods depending on the species and season. Its presence can indicate that the surrounding landscape still provides usable tree cover, food plants, and safe nesting locations.

19. Northern Amazon Red Squirrel

Scientific name: Sciurus igniventris

Among the tree squirrels of northern and western Amazonia, the Northern Amazon Red Squirrel is recognized by a combination of habitat, body pattern, and behavior. It is most often associated with lowland tropical rainforest. It is mainly active during daylight and moves between branches with quick leaps, short climbs, and frequent pauses to inspect food.

The most useful visible clues are large body with dark upperparts and rich reddish or orange tones on the limbs or underside. These features are most helpful when viewed together with the squirrel’s range and the type of woodland in which it is seen. Color alone should not be used as the only identification feature because squirrels often vary between regions, seasons, ages, and individuals.

Its diet commonly includes large seeds, fruits, nuts, and other forest plant foods. Food availability changes through the year, so individuals may shift between fruits, seeds, flowers, fungi, bark, buds, or small animal foods depending on the species and season. Because it consumes and transports plant material, it participates in forest food webs as both a consumer and prey species.

20. Southern Amazon Red Squirrel

Scientific name: Sciurus spadiceus

Southern Amazon Red Squirrel is an arboreal squirrel associated with southern and western Amazonian regions. It is most often associated with tropical rainforest and adjacent forest. Like many arboreal squirrels, it relies on strong hind limbs and sharp claws to move across trunks and branches, retreating into tree cover when disturbed.

A careful observer should pay particular attention to large robust body with deep reddish, chestnut, or dark brown coloration. These features are most helpful when viewed together with the squirrel’s range and the type of woodland in which it is seen. Photographs of the back, belly, tail, and face are more useful than a single distant image when comparing similar species.

Its diet commonly includes fruits, nuts, seeds, and seasonal forest foods. Food availability changes through the year, so individuals may shift between fruits, seeds, flowers, fungi, bark, buds, or small animal foods depending on the species and season. The species is part of a broader arboreal community in which squirrels help move seeds, consume fungi and plant material, and support predators higher in the food web.

21. Central American Dwarf Squirrel

Scientific name: Microsciurus alfari

Found in Central America and northwestern South America, the Central American Dwarf Squirrel is a useful example of how tree squirrels adapt to local forests and wooded landscapes. It is most often associated with humid tropical forest and dense woodland. Its daily routine typically involves searching trees and the forest floor for seasonal foods before returning to the safety of branches or nest sites.

Identification is easiest when you combine location with small size and dark olive-brown to reddish forest coloration. These features are most helpful when viewed together with the squirrel’s range and the type of woodland in which it is seen. Geographic range is especially valuable when several related squirrels have overlapping gray, brown, or reddish coats.

Its diet commonly includes fruits, seeds, fungi, insects, and small plant foods. Food availability changes through the year, so individuals may shift between fruits, seeds, flowers, fungi, bark, buds, or small animal foods depending on the species and season. As with many squirrels, its feeding and caching behavior can influence the movement of seeds through the habitat.

22. Amazon Dwarf Squirrel

Scientific name: Microsciurus flaviventer

The Amazon Dwarf Squirrel is a tree-dwelling member of the squirrel family that occurs in western Amazonia. It is most often associated with humid tropical rainforest. It spends much of its active period climbing and foraging, using the tail as a balancing structure when negotiating narrow branches or changing direction rapidly.

For field identification, look for small delicate body and dark brown to reddish coat. These features are most helpful when viewed together with the squirrel’s range and the type of woodland in which it is seen. When identification is uncertain, habitat and geographic range are usually more dependable than a single coat color.

Its diet commonly includes fruits, seeds, fungi, insects, and bark-associated foods. Food availability changes through the year, so individuals may shift between fruits, seeds, flowers, fungi, bark, buds, or small animal foods depending on the species and season. Its presence can indicate that the surrounding landscape still provides usable tree cover, food plants, and safe nesting locations.

23. Western Dwarf Squirrel

Scientific name: Microsciurus mimulus

Among the tree squirrels of Central America and northwestern South America, the Western Dwarf Squirrel is recognized by a combination of habitat, body pattern, and behavior. It is most often associated with tropical rainforest and moist woodland. It is mainly active during daylight and moves between branches with quick leaps, short climbs, and frequent pauses to inspect food.

The most useful visible clues are compact form with dark brownish or olive coloration. These features are most helpful when viewed together with the squirrel’s range and the type of woodland in which it is seen. Color alone should not be used as the only identification feature because squirrels often vary between regions, seasons, ages, and individuals.

Its diet commonly includes fruits, seeds, fungi, insects, and small plant material. Food availability changes through the year, so individuals may shift between fruits, seeds, flowers, fungi, bark, buds, or small animal foods depending on the species and season. Because it consumes and transports plant material, it participates in forest food webs as both a consumer and prey species.

24. American Red Squirrel

Scientific name: Tamiasciurus hudsonicus

American Red Squirrel is an arboreal squirrel associated with Canada, Alaska, and much of the northern United States. It is most often associated with coniferous and mixed forest. Like many arboreal squirrels, it relies on strong hind limbs and sharp claws to move across trunks and branches, retreating into tree cover when disturbed.

A careful observer should pay particular attention to small size, reddish upperparts, pale belly, white eye ring, and moderately bushy tail. These features are most helpful when viewed together with the squirrel’s range and the type of woodland in which it is seen. Photographs of the back, belly, tail, and face are more useful than a single distant image when comparing similar species.

Its diet commonly includes conifer seeds, nuts, fungi, buds, berries, and stored cones. Food availability changes through the year, so individuals may shift between fruits, seeds, flowers, fungi, bark, buds, or small animal foods depending on the species and season. The species is part of a broader arboreal community in which squirrels help move seeds, consume fungi and plant material, and support predators higher in the food web.

25. Douglas Squirrel

Scientific name: Tamiasciurus douglasii

Found in Pacific Northwest of North America, the Douglas Squirrel is a useful example of how tree squirrels adapt to local forests and wooded landscapes. It is most often associated with coniferous and mixed forests. Its daily routine typically involves searching trees and the forest floor for seasonal foods before returning to the safety of branches or nest sites.

Identification is easiest when you combine location with small body with brown, gray, or reddish upperparts and warmer orange-yellow underparts. These features are most helpful when viewed together with the squirrel’s range and the type of woodland in which it is seen. Geographic range is especially valuable when several related squirrels have overlapping gray, brown, or reddish coats.

Its diet commonly includes conifer seeds, fungi, nuts, berries, and buds. Food availability changes through the year, so individuals may shift between fruits, seeds, flowers, fungi, bark, buds, or small animal foods depending on the species and season. As with many squirrels, its feeding and caching behavior can influence the movement of seeds through the habitat.

26. Bangs’s Mountain Squirrel

Scientific name: Syntheosciurus brochus

The Bangs’s Mountain Squirrel is a tree-dwelling member of the squirrel family that occurs in Costa Rica and western Panama. It is most often associated with high-elevation cloud forest and humid montane woodland. It spends much of its active period climbing and foraging, using the tail as a balancing structure when negotiating narrow branches or changing direction rapidly.

For field identification, look for compact build, dense dark reddish-olive fur, and a woolly appearance. These features are most helpful when viewed together with the squirrel’s range and the type of woodland in which it is seen. When identification is uncertain, habitat and geographic range are usually more dependable than a single coat color.

Its diet commonly includes fruits, seeds, fungi, and other montane forest foods. Food availability changes through the year, so individuals may shift between fruits, seeds, flowers, fungi, bark, buds, or small animal foods depending on the species and season. Its presence can indicate that the surrounding landscape still provides usable tree cover, food plants, and safe nesting locations.

27. Pale Giant Squirrel

Scientific name: Ratufa affinis

Among the tree squirrels of Malay Peninsula, Sumatra, Borneo, and nearby areas, the Pale Giant Squirrel is recognized by a combination of habitat, body pattern, and behavior. It is most often associated with tropical lowland and hill forest. It is mainly active during daylight and moves between branches with quick leaps, short climbs, and frequent pauses to inspect food.

The most useful visible clues are very large body, exceptionally long tail, and variable buff, brown, orange, cream, or dark markings. These features are most helpful when viewed together with the squirrel’s range and the type of woodland in which it is seen. Color alone should not be used as the only identification feature because squirrels often vary between regions, seasons, ages, and individuals.

Its diet commonly includes fruits, seeds, nuts, leaves, and other canopy plant foods. Food availability changes through the year, so individuals may shift between fruits, seeds, flowers, fungi, bark, buds, or small animal foods depending on the species and season. Because it consumes and transports plant material, it participates in forest food webs as both a consumer and prey species.

28. Black Giant Squirrel

Scientific name: Ratufa bicolor

Black Giant Squirrel is an arboreal squirrel associated with South and Southeast Asia under traditional taxonomic treatments. It is most often associated with mature tropical and subtropical forest. Like many arboreal squirrels, it relies on strong hind limbs and sharp claws to move across trunks and branches, retreating into tree cover when disturbed.

A careful observer should pay particular attention to very large body with dark upperparts and contrasting buff or pale areas. These features are most helpful when viewed together with the squirrel’s range and the type of woodland in which it is seen. Photographs of the back, belly, tail, and face are more useful than a single distant image when comparing similar species.

Its diet commonly includes fruits, seeds, nuts, leaves, bark, and flowers. Food availability changes through the year, so individuals may shift between fruits, seeds, flowers, fungi, bark, buds, or small animal foods depending on the species and season. The species is part of a broader arboreal community in which squirrels help move seeds, consume fungi and plant material, and support predators higher in the food web.

29. Indian Giant Squirrel

Scientific name: Ratufa indica

Found in peninsular India, the Indian Giant Squirrel is a useful example of how tree squirrels adapt to local forests and wooded landscapes. It is most often associated with moist and dry deciduous forest as well as evergreen forest. Its daily routine typically involves searching trees and the forest floor for seasonal foods before returning to the safety of branches or nest sites.

Identification is easiest when you combine location with huge size, very long tail, and striking maroon, brown, black, buff, or cream patches. These features are most helpful when viewed together with the squirrel’s range and the type of woodland in which it is seen. Geographic range is especially valuable when several related squirrels have overlapping gray, brown, or reddish coats.

Its diet commonly includes fruits, flowers, nuts, seeds, bark, and plant material. Food availability changes through the year, so individuals may shift between fruits, seeds, flowers, fungi, bark, buds, or small animal foods depending on the species and season. As with many squirrels, its feeding and caching behavior can influence the movement of seeds through the habitat.

30. Grizzled Giant Squirrel

Scientific name: Ratufa macroura

The Grizzled Giant Squirrel is a tree-dwelling member of the squirrel family that occurs in Sri Lanka and southern India. It is most often associated with dry and moist forest with mature canopy trees. It spends much of its active period climbing and foraging, using the tail as a balancing structure when negotiating narrow branches or changing direction rapidly.

For field identification, look for large size, long tail, and grizzled gray, brown, black, cream, or buff fur. These features are most helpful when viewed together with the squirrel’s range and the type of woodland in which it is seen. When identification is uncertain, habitat and geographic range are usually more dependable than a single coat color.

Its diet commonly includes fruits, nuts, seeds, bark, and other plant foods. Food availability changes through the year, so individuals may shift between fruits, seeds, flowers, fungi, bark, buds, or small animal foods depending on the species and season. Its presence can indicate that the surrounding landscape still provides usable tree cover, food plants, and safe nesting locations.

31. Ear-spot Squirrel

Scientific name: Callosciurus adamsi

Among the tree squirrels of Borneo, the Ear-spot Squirrel is recognized by a combination of habitat, body pattern, and behavior. It is most often associated with tropical forest. It is mainly active during daylight and moves between branches with quick leaps, short climbs, and frequent pauses to inspect food.

The most useful visible clues are small ear-area markings, slender body, and a long tail. These features are most helpful when viewed together with the squirrel’s range and the type of woodland in which it is seen. Color alone should not be used as the only identification feature because squirrels often vary between regions, seasons, ages, and individuals.

Its diet commonly includes fruits, seeds, insects, flowers, and other forest foods. Food availability changes through the year, so individuals may shift between fruits, seeds, flowers, fungi, bark, buds, or small animal foods depending on the species and season. Because it consumes and transports plant material, it participates in forest food webs as both a consumer and prey species.

32. Kloss’s Squirrel

Scientific name: Callosciurus albescens

Kloss’s Squirrel is an arboreal squirrel associated with northern Sumatra. It is most often associated with forest and wooded habitats. Like many arboreal squirrels, it relies on strong hind limbs and sharp claws to move across trunks and branches, retreating into tree cover when disturbed.

A careful observer should pay particular attention to slender Callosciurus build with relatively subdued coloration. These features are most helpful when viewed together with the squirrel’s range and the type of woodland in which it is seen. Photographs of the back, belly, tail, and face are more useful than a single distant image when comparing similar species.

Its diet commonly includes fruits, seeds, flowers, insects, and plant foods. Food availability changes through the year, so individuals may shift between fruits, seeds, flowers, fungi, bark, buds, or small animal foods depending on the species and season. The species is part of a broader arboreal community in which squirrels help move seeds, consume fungi and plant material, and support predators higher in the food web.

33. Kinabalu Squirrel

Scientific name: Callosciurus baluensis

Found in northern Borneo, the Kinabalu Squirrel is a useful example of how tree squirrels adapt to local forests and wooded landscapes. It is most often associated with montane and upland forest. Its daily routine typically involves searching trees and the forest floor for seasonal foods before returning to the safety of branches or nest sites.

Identification is easiest when you combine location with dark grizzled upperparts with warmer reddish or orange underparts. These features are most helpful when viewed together with the squirrel’s range and the type of woodland in which it is seen. Geographic range is especially valuable when several related squirrels have overlapping gray, brown, or reddish coats.

Its diet commonly includes fruits, seeds, insects, flowers, and buds. Food availability changes through the year, so individuals may shift between fruits, seeds, flowers, fungi, bark, buds, or small animal foods depending on the species and season. As with many squirrels, its feeding and caching behavior can influence the movement of seeds through the habitat.

34. Gray-bellied Squirrel

Scientific name: Callosciurus caniceps

The Gray-bellied Squirrel is a tree-dwelling member of the squirrel family that occurs in mainland Southeast Asia. It is most often associated with forest, plantations, gardens, and wooded rural areas. It spends much of its active period climbing and foraging, using the tail as a balancing structure when negotiating narrow branches or changing direction rapidly.

For field identification, look for gray-toned underside with variable brown or gray upperparts. These features are most helpful when viewed together with the squirrel’s range and the type of woodland in which it is seen. When identification is uncertain, habitat and geographic range are usually more dependable than a single coat color.

Its diet commonly includes fruits, seeds, flowers, buds, and insects. Food availability changes through the year, so individuals may shift between fruits, seeds, flowers, fungi, bark, buds, or small animal foods depending on the species and season. Its presence can indicate that the surrounding landscape still provides usable tree cover, food plants, and safe nesting locations.

35. Pallas’s Squirrel

Scientific name: Callosciurus erythraeus

Among the tree squirrels of southern China and parts of South and Southeast Asia, the Pallas’s Squirrel is recognized by a combination of habitat, body pattern, and behavior. It is most often associated with forest, secondary growth, plantations, gardens, and urban trees. It is mainly active during daylight and moves between branches with quick leaps, short climbs, and frequent pauses to inspect food.

The most useful visible clues are olive-brown to dark upperparts with frequent reddish or chestnut underparts. These features are most helpful when viewed together with the squirrel’s range and the type of woodland in which it is seen. Color alone should not be used as the only identification feature because squirrels often vary between regions, seasons, ages, and individuals.

Its diet commonly includes fruits, seeds, flowers, buds, bark, and insects. Food availability changes through the year, so individuals may shift between fruits, seeds, flowers, fungi, bark, buds, or small animal foods depending on the species and season. Because it consumes and transports plant material, it participates in forest food webs as both a consumer and prey species.

36. Finlayson’s Squirrel

Scientific name: Callosciurus finlaysonii

Finlayson’s Squirrel is an arboreal squirrel associated with mainland Southeast Asia. It is most often associated with forest, gardens, plantations, and wooded human-modified habitats. Like many arboreal squirrels, it relies on strong hind limbs and sharp claws to move across trunks and branches, retreating into tree cover when disturbed.

A careful observer should pay particular attention to extremely variable coat that may be pale, dark, red, cream, or mixed. These features are most helpful when viewed together with the squirrel’s range and the type of woodland in which it is seen. Photographs of the back, belly, tail, and face are more useful than a single distant image when comparing similar species.

Its diet commonly includes fruits, seeds, flowers, plant material, and insects. Food availability changes through the year, so individuals may shift between fruits, seeds, flowers, fungi, bark, buds, or small animal foods depending on the species and season. The species is part of a broader arboreal community in which squirrels help move seeds, consume fungi and plant material, and support predators higher in the food web.

37. Hon Khoai Squirrel

Scientific name: Callosciurus honkhoaiensis

Found in Hon Khoai Island, southern Vietnam, the Hon Khoai Squirrel is a useful example of how tree squirrels adapt to local forests and wooded landscapes. It is most often associated with island forest. Its daily routine typically involves searching trees and the forest floor for seasonal foods before returning to the safety of branches or nest sites.

Identification is easiest when you combine location with brownish upperparts with distinctive pale cream tones on the underside and extremities. These features are most helpful when viewed together with the squirrel’s range and the type of woodland in which it is seen. Geographic range is especially valuable when several related squirrels have overlapping gray, brown, or reddish coats.

Its diet commonly includes fruits, seeds, flowers, and other island forest foods. Food availability changes through the year, so individuals may shift between fruits, seeds, flowers, fungi, bark, buds, or small animal foods depending on the species and season. As with many squirrels, its feeding and caching behavior can influence the movement of seeds through the habitat.

38. Inornate Squirrel

Scientific name: Callosciurus inornatus

The Inornate Squirrel is a tree-dwelling member of the squirrel family that occurs in Laos, Vietnam, and southern China. It is most often associated with forest and wooded habitats. It spends much of its active period climbing and foraging, using the tail as a balancing structure when negotiating narrow branches or changing direction rapidly.

For field identification, look for subdued brownish to grayish coat and slender build. These features are most helpful when viewed together with the squirrel’s range and the type of woodland in which it is seen. When identification is uncertain, habitat and geographic range are usually more dependable than a single coat color.

Its diet commonly includes fruits, seeds, flowers, insects, and plant foods. Food availability changes through the year, so individuals may shift between fruits, seeds, flowers, fungi, bark, buds, or small animal foods depending on the species and season. Its presence can indicate that the surrounding landscape still provides usable tree cover, food plants, and safe nesting locations.

39. Mentawai Squirrel

Scientific name: Callosciurus melanogaster

Among the tree squirrels of Mentawai Islands of Indonesia, the Mentawai Squirrel is recognized by a combination of habitat, body pattern, and behavior. It is most often associated with tropical island forest. It is mainly active during daylight and moves between branches with quick leaps, short climbs, and frequent pauses to inspect food.

The most useful visible clues are slender arboreal body with a long balancing tail and darker underparts. These features are most helpful when viewed together with the squirrel’s range and the type of woodland in which it is seen. Color alone should not be used as the only identification feature because squirrels often vary between regions, seasons, ages, and individuals.

Its diet commonly includes fruits, seeds, plant material, and insects. Food availability changes through the year, so individuals may shift between fruits, seeds, flowers, fungi, bark, buds, or small animal foods depending on the species and season. Because it consumes and transports plant material, it participates in forest food webs as both a consumer and prey species.

40. Black-striped Squirrel

Scientific name: Callosciurus nigrovittatus

Black-striped Squirrel is an arboreal squirrel associated with Malay Peninsula, Sumatra, Java, and nearby areas. It is most often associated with tropical and subtropical forest. Like many arboreal squirrels, it relies on strong hind limbs and sharp claws to move across trunks and branches, retreating into tree cover when disturbed.

A careful observer should pay particular attention to dark lateral stripe bordered by paler contrasting fur. These features are most helpful when viewed together with the squirrel’s range and the type of woodland in which it is seen. Photographs of the back, belly, tail, and face are more useful than a single distant image when comparing similar species.

Its diet commonly includes fruits, seeds, plant matter, flowers, and insects. Food availability changes through the year, so individuals may shift between fruits, seeds, flowers, fungi, bark, buds, or small animal foods depending on the species and season. The species is part of a broader arboreal community in which squirrels help move seeds, consume fungi and plant material, and support predators higher in the food web.

41. Plantain Squirrel

Scientific name: Callosciurus notatus

Found in Malay Peninsula, Singapore, Sumatra, Java, Borneo, and nearby areas, the Plantain Squirrel is a useful example of how tree squirrels adapt to local forests and wooded landscapes. It is most often associated with forest, gardens, mangroves, plantations, and urban greenery. Its daily routine typically involves searching trees and the forest floor for seasonal foods before returning to the safety of branches or nest sites.

Identification is easiest when you combine location with brownish back, pale and dark side stripes, and warmer belly coloration. These features are most helpful when viewed together with the squirrel’s range and the type of woodland in which it is seen. Geographic range is especially valuable when several related squirrels have overlapping gray, brown, or reddish coats.

Its diet commonly includes fruits, seeds, flowers, plant matter, and insects. Food availability changes through the year, so individuals may shift between fruits, seeds, flowers, fungi, bark, buds, or small animal foods depending on the species and season. As with many squirrels, its feeding and caching behavior can influence the movement of seeds through the habitat.

42. Borneo Black-banded Squirrel

Scientific name: Callosciurus orestes

The Borneo Black-banded Squirrel is a tree-dwelling member of the squirrel family that occurs in Borneo. It is most often associated with upland and montane forest. It spends much of its active period climbing and foraging, using the tail as a balancing structure when negotiating narrow branches or changing direction rapidly.

For field identification, look for dark lateral bands and contrasting side markings. These features are most helpful when viewed together with the squirrel’s range and the type of woodland in which it is seen. When identification is uncertain, habitat and geographic range are usually more dependable than a single coat color.

Its diet commonly includes fruits, seeds, flowers, and insects. Food availability changes through the year, so individuals may shift between fruits, seeds, flowers, fungi, bark, buds, or small animal foods depending on the species and season. Its presence can indicate that the surrounding landscape still provides usable tree cover, food plants, and safe nesting locations.

43. Phayre’s Squirrel

Scientific name: Callosciurus phayrei

Among the tree squirrels of Myanmar and nearby mainland Southeast Asia, the Phayre’s Squirrel is recognized by a combination of habitat, body pattern, and behavior. It is most often associated with forest and woodland. It is mainly active during daylight and moves between branches with quick leaps, short climbs, and frequent pauses to inspect food.

The most useful visible clues are slender build with restrained brown, gray, and warm-toned coloration. These features are most helpful when viewed together with the squirrel’s range and the type of woodland in which it is seen. Color alone should not be used as the only identification feature because squirrels often vary between regions, seasons, ages, and individuals.

Its diet commonly includes fruits, seeds, buds, flowers, and insects. Food availability changes through the year, so individuals may shift between fruits, seeds, flowers, fungi, bark, buds, or small animal foods depending on the species and season. Because it consumes and transports plant material, it participates in forest food webs as both a consumer and prey species.

44. Prevost’s Squirrel

Scientific name: Callosciurus prevostii

Prevost’s Squirrel is an arboreal squirrel associated with Malay Peninsula, Sumatra, Borneo, and nearby islands. It is most often associated with tropical rainforest and mature wooded habitats. Like many arboreal squirrels, it relies on strong hind limbs and sharp claws to move across trunks and branches, retreating into tree cover when disturbed.

A careful observer should pay particular attention to bold black upperparts, pale side areas, and deep reddish or chestnut underparts in many populations. These features are most helpful when viewed together with the squirrel’s range and the type of woodland in which it is seen. Photographs of the back, belly, tail, and face are more useful than a single distant image when comparing similar species.

45. Irrawaddy Squirrel

Scientific name: Callosciurus pygerythrus

Found in northeastern South Asia, Myanmar, and southern China, the Irrawaddy Squirrel is a useful example of how tree squirrels adapt to local forests and wooded landscapes. It is most often associated with forest, woodland, and wooded rural landscapes. Its daily routine typically involves searching trees and the forest floor for seasonal foods before returning to the safety of branches or nest sites.

Identification is easiest when you combine location with gray-brown to olive upperparts with paler or warmer underparts. These features are most helpful when viewed together with the squirrel’s range and the type of woodland in which it is seen. Geographic range is especially valuable when several related squirrels have overlapping gray, brown, or reddish coats.

Its diet commonly includes fruits, seeds, buds, flowers, and insects. Food availability changes through the year, so individuals may shift between fruits, seeds, flowers, fungi, bark, buds, or small animal foods depending on the species and season. As with many squirrels, its feeding and caching behavior can influence the movement of seeds through the habitat.

46. Anderson’s Squirrel

Scientific name: Callosciurus quinquestriatus

The Anderson’s Squirrel is a tree-dwelling member of the squirrel family that occurs in southern China and Myanmar. It is most often associated with forest and wooded mountain habitats. It spends much of its active period climbing and foraging, using the tail as a balancing structure when negotiating narrow branches or changing direction rapidly.

For field identification, look for contrasting stripes or side markings on a slender arboreal body. These features are most helpful when viewed together with the squirrel’s range and the type of woodland in which it is seen. When identification is uncertain, habitat and geographic range are usually more dependable than a single coat color.

47. Layard’s Palm Squirrel

Scientific name: Funambulus layardi

Among the tree squirrels of Sri Lanka, the Layard’s Palm Squirrel is recognized by a combination of habitat, body pattern, and behavior. It is most often associated with forest and wooded habitats. It is mainly active during daylight and moves between branches with quick leaps, short climbs, and frequent pauses to inspect food.

The most useful visible clues are longitudinal dorsal stripes on a small brownish body. These features are most helpful when viewed together with the squirrel’s range and the type of woodland in which it is seen. Color alone should not be used as the only identification feature because squirrels often vary between regions, seasons, ages, and individuals.

Its diet commonly includes fruits, seeds, flowers, plant material, and insects. Food availability changes through the year, so individuals may shift between fruits, seeds, flowers, fungi, bark, buds, or small animal foods depending on the species and season. Because it consumes and transports plant material, it participates in forest food webs as both a consumer and prey species.

48. Dusky Palm Squirrel

Scientific name: Funambulus obscurus

Dusky Palm Squirrel is an arboreal squirrel associated with Sri Lanka. It is most often associated with forest and wooded habitats. Like many arboreal squirrels, it relies on strong hind limbs and sharp claws to move across trunks and branches, retreating into tree cover when disturbed.

A careful observer should pay particular attention to dark overall coloration combined with visible dorsal striping. These features are most helpful when viewed together with the squirrel’s range and the type of woodland in which it is seen. Photographs of the back, belly, tail, and face are more useful than a single distant image when comparing similar species.

Its diet commonly includes fruits, seeds, flowers, and small animal foods. Food availability changes through the year, so individuals may shift between fruits, seeds, flowers, fungi, bark, buds, or small animal foods depending on the species and season. The species is part of a broader arboreal community in which squirrels help move seeds, consume fungi and plant material, and support predators higher in the food web.

49. Indian Palm Squirrel

Scientific name: Funambulus palmarum

Found in southern India and Sri Lanka, the Indian Palm Squirrel is a useful example of how tree squirrels adapt to local forests and wooded landscapes. It is most often associated with woodland, farms, gardens, temple grounds, and cities. Its daily routine typically involves searching trees and the forest floor for seasonal foods before returning to the safety of branches or nest sites.

Identification is easiest when you combine location with three pale longitudinal stripes across a brownish back. These features are most helpful when viewed together with the squirrel’s range and the type of woodland in which it is seen. Geographic range is especially valuable when several related squirrels have overlapping gray, brown, or reddish coats.

Its diet commonly includes seeds, fruits, flowers, insects, and human-associated foods. Food availability changes through the year, so individuals may shift between fruits, seeds, flowers, fungi, bark, buds, or small animal foods depending on the species and season. As with many squirrels, its feeding and caching behavior can influence the movement of seeds through the habitat.

50. Nilgiri Striped Palm Squirrel

Scientific name: Funambulus sublineatus

The Nilgiri Striped Palm Squirrel is a tree-dwelling member of the squirrel family that occurs in Western Ghats of southern India. It is most often associated with forest and wooded highland habitats. It spends much of its active period climbing and foraging, using the tail as a balancing structure when negotiating narrow branches or changing direction rapidly.

For field identification, look for small body with narrow longitudinal dorsal stripes. These features are most helpful when viewed together with the squirrel’s range and the type of woodland in which it is seen. When identification is uncertain, habitat and geographic range are usually more dependable than a single coat color.

Its diet commonly includes fruits, seeds, flowers, plant material, and insects. Food availability changes through the year, so individuals may shift between fruits, seeds, flowers, fungi, bark, buds, or small animal foods depending on the species and season. Its presence can indicate that the surrounding landscape still provides usable tree cover, food plants, and safe nesting locations.

51. Jungle Palm Squirrel

Scientific name: Funambulus tristriatus

Among the tree squirrels of India, the Jungle Palm Squirrel is recognized by a combination of habitat, body pattern, and behavior. It is most often associated with forest, woodland, and wooded landscapes. It is mainly active during daylight and moves between branches with quick leaps, short climbs, and frequent pauses to inspect food.

The most useful visible clues are longitudinal dorsal stripes and a compact climbing build. These features are most helpful when viewed together with the squirrel’s range and the type of woodland in which it is seen. Color alone should not be used as the only identification feature because squirrels often vary between regions, seasons, ages, and individuals.

Its diet commonly includes fruits, seeds, flowers, insects, and plant foods. Food availability changes through the year, so individuals may shift between fruits, seeds, flowers, fungi, bark, buds, or small animal foods depending on the species and season. Because it consumes and transports plant material, it participates in forest food webs as both a consumer and prey species.

52. Northern Palm Squirrel

Scientific name: Funambulus pennantii

Northern Palm Squirrel is an arboreal squirrel associated with northern South Asia. It is most often associated with woodland, farmland, parks, roadside trees, gardens, and cities. Like many arboreal squirrels, it relies on strong hind limbs and sharp claws to move across trunks and branches, retreating into tree cover when disturbed.

A careful observer should pay particular attention to multiple pale stripes running lengthwise along the back. These features are most helpful when viewed together with the squirrel’s range and the type of woodland in which it is seen. Photographs of the back, belly, tail, and face are more useful than a single distant image when comparing similar species.

Its diet commonly includes seeds, fruits, grains, flowers, insects, and other available foods. Food availability changes through the year, so individuals may shift between fruits, seeds, flowers, fungi, bark, buds, or small animal foods depending on the species and season. The species is part of a broader arboreal community in which squirrels help move seeds, consume fungi and plant material, and support predators higher in the food web.

53. Himalayan Striped Squirrel

Scientific name: Tamiops mcclellandii

Found in Himalayan region and parts of Southeast Asia, the Himalayan Striped Squirrel is a useful example of how tree squirrels adapt to local forests and wooded landscapes. It is most often associated with forest, woodland, and wooded slopes. Its daily routine typically involves searching trees and the forest floor for seasonal foods before returning to the safety of branches or nest sites.

Identification is easiest when you combine location with small body with multiple pale and dark stripes along the head and back. These features are most helpful when viewed together with the squirrel’s range and the type of woodland in which it is seen. Geographic range is especially valuable when several related squirrels have overlapping gray, brown, or reddish coats.

54. Maritime Striped Squirrel

Scientific name: Tamiops maritimus

The Maritime Striped Squirrel is a tree-dwelling member of the squirrel family that occurs in southern and eastern China, Taiwan, Laos, and Vietnam. It is most often associated with forest and wooded habitats. It spends much of its active period climbing and foraging, using the tail as a balancing structure when negotiating narrow branches or changing direction rapidly.

For field identification, look for distinct light and dark longitudinal stripes on head and back. These features are most helpful when viewed together with the squirrel’s range and the type of woodland in which it is seen. When identification is uncertain, habitat and geographic range are usually more dependable than a single coat color.

Its diet commonly includes fruits, seeds, insects, flowers, and nectar. Food availability changes through the year, so individuals may shift between fruits, seeds, flowers, fungi, bark, buds, or small animal foods depending on the species and season. Its presence can indicate that the surrounding landscape still provides usable tree cover, food plants, and safe nesting locations.

55. Cambodian Striped Squirrel

Scientific name: Tamiops rodolphii

Among the tree squirrels of Cambodia, Laos, Thailand, and Vietnam, the Cambodian Striped Squirrel is recognized by a combination of habitat, body pattern, and behavior. It is most often associated with forest and wooded landscapes. It is mainly active during daylight and moves between branches with quick leaps, short climbs, and frequent pauses to inspect food.

The most useful visible clues are small size with persistent pale and dark dorsal stripes. These features are most helpful when viewed together with the squirrel’s range and the type of woodland in which it is seen. Color alone should not be used as the only identification feature because squirrels often vary between regions, seasons, ages, and individuals.

Its diet commonly includes seeds, flowers, fruits, plant material, and insects. Food availability changes through the year, so individuals may shift between fruits, seeds, flowers, fungi, bark, buds, or small animal foods depending on the species and season. Because it consumes and transports plant material, it participates in forest food webs as both a consumer and prey species.

56. Swinhoe’s Striped Squirrel

Scientific name: Tamiops swinhoei

Swinhoe’s Striped Squirrel is an arboreal squirrel associated with parts of China and neighboring Southeast Asia. It is most often associated with forest, woodland, and wooded mountain landscapes. Like many arboreal squirrels, it relies on strong hind limbs and sharp claws to move across trunks and branches, retreating into tree cover when disturbed.

A careful observer should pay particular attention to narrow longitudinal stripes and a small agile body. These features are most helpful when viewed together with the squirrel’s range and the type of woodland in which it is seen. Photographs of the back, belly, tail, and face are more useful than a single distant image when comparing similar species.

Its diet commonly includes fruits, seeds, insects, flowers, and buds. Food availability changes through the year, so individuals may shift between fruits, seeds, flowers, fungi, bark, buds, or small animal foods depending on the species and season. The species is part of a broader arboreal community in which squirrels help move seeds, consume fungi and plant material, and support predators higher in the food web.

57. Philippine Pygmy Squirrel

Scientific name: Exilisciurus concinnus

Found in Philippines, the Philippine Pygmy Squirrel is a useful example of how tree squirrels adapt to local forests and wooded landscapes. It is most often associated with tropical forest. Its daily routine typically involves searching trees and the forest floor for seasonal foods before returning to the safety of branches or nest sites.

Identification is easiest when you combine location with very small body, short compact proportions, and brownish to olive coloration. These features are most helpful when viewed together with the squirrel’s range and the type of woodland in which it is seen. Geographic range is especially valuable when several related squirrels have overlapping gray, brown, or reddish coats.

Its diet commonly includes small fruits, plant material, seeds, and bark-associated invertebrates. Food availability changes through the year, so individuals may shift between fruits, seeds, flowers, fungi, bark, buds, or small animal foods depending on the species and season. As with many squirrels, its feeding and caching behavior can influence the movement of seeds through the habitat.

58. Least Pygmy Squirrel

Scientific name: Exilisciurus exilis

The Least Pygmy Squirrel is a tree-dwelling member of the squirrel family that occurs in Borneo and nearby parts of Sundaland. It is most often associated with tropical rainforest. It spends much of its active period climbing and foraging, using the tail as a balancing structure when negotiating narrow branches or changing direction rapidly.

For field identification, look for minute size and inconspicuous olive-brown or gray-brown fur. These features are most helpful when viewed together with the squirrel’s range and the type of woodland in which it is seen. When identification is uncertain, habitat and geographic range are usually more dependable than a single coat color.

Its diet commonly includes small plant foods, bark resources, and invertebrates. Food availability changes through the year, so individuals may shift between fruits, seeds, flowers, fungi, bark, buds, or small animal foods depending on the species and season. Its presence can indicate that the surrounding landscape still provides usable tree cover, food plants, and safe nesting locations.

59. Tufted Pygmy Squirrel

Scientific name: Exilisciurus whiteheadi

Among the tree squirrels of Borneo, the Tufted Pygmy Squirrel is recognized by a combination of habitat, body pattern, and behavior. It is most often associated with montane forest. It is mainly active during daylight and moves between branches with quick leaps, short climbs, and frequent pauses to inspect food.

The most useful visible clues are tiny body with conspicuous pale ear tufts. These features are most helpful when viewed together with the squirrel’s range and the type of woodland in which it is seen. Color alone should not be used as the only identification feature because squirrels often vary between regions, seasons, ages, and individuals.

Its diet commonly includes ants, insects, bark-associated foods, and small plant material. Food availability changes through the year, so individuals may shift between fruits, seeds, flowers, fungi, bark, buds, or small animal foods depending on the species and season. Because it consumes and transports plant material, it participates in forest food webs as both a consumer and prey species.

60. Black-eared Pygmy Squirrel

Scientific name: Nannosciurus melanotis

Black-eared Pygmy Squirrel is an arboreal squirrel associated with Southeast Asia. It is most often associated with tropical forest and wooded habitats. Like many arboreal squirrels, it relies on strong hind limbs and sharp claws to move across trunks and branches, retreating into tree cover when disturbed.

A careful observer should pay particular attention to very small size with a dark ear region and compact body. These features are most helpful when viewed together with the squirrel’s range and the type of woodland in which it is seen. Photographs of the back, belly, tail, and face are more useful than a single distant image when comparing similar species.

Its diet commonly includes small plant foods, fruits, seeds, and invertebrates. Food availability changes through the year, so individuals may shift between fruits, seeds, flowers, fungi, bark, buds, or small animal foods depending on the species and season. The species is part of a broader arboreal community in which squirrels help move seeds, consume fungi and plant material, and support predators higher in the food web.

61. Sculptor Squirrel

Scientific name: Glyphotes simus

Found in Borneo, the Sculptor Squirrel is a useful example of how tree squirrels adapt to local forests and wooded landscapes. It is most often associated with tropical forest. Its daily routine typically involves searching trees and the forest floor for seasonal foods before returning to the safety of branches or nest sites.

Identification is easiest when you combine location with small body with distinctive cranial and dental traits not obvious at a distance. These features are most helpful when viewed together with the squirrel’s range and the type of woodland in which it is seen. Geographic range is especially valuable when several related squirrels have overlapping gray, brown, or reddish coats.

Its diet commonly includes fruits, seeds, plant foods, and small invertebrates. Food availability changes through the year, so individuals may shift between fruits, seeds, flowers, fungi, bark, buds, or small animal foods depending on the species and season. As with many squirrels, its feeding and caching behavior can influence the movement of seeds through the habitat.

62. Sulawesi Giant Squirrel

Scientific name: Rubrisciurus rubriventer

The Sulawesi Giant Squirrel is a tree-dwelling member of the squirrel family that occurs in Sulawesi, Indonesia. It is most often associated with tropical forest. It spends much of its active period climbing and foraging, using the tail as a balancing structure when negotiating narrow branches or changing direction rapidly.

For field identification, look for large robust body with rich reddish or chestnut tones. These features are most helpful when viewed together with the squirrel’s range and the type of woodland in which it is seen. When identification is uncertain, habitat and geographic range are usually more dependable than a single coat color.

Its diet commonly includes fruits, seeds, nuts, and other forest plant material. Food availability changes through the year, so individuals may shift between fruits, seeds, flowers, fungi, bark, buds, or small animal foods depending on the species and season. Its presence can indicate that the surrounding landscape still provides usable tree cover, food plants, and safe nesting locations.

63. Brooke’s Squirrel

Scientific name: Sundasciurus brookei

Among the tree squirrels of Borneo, the Brooke’s Squirrel is recognized by a combination of habitat, body pattern, and behavior. It is most often associated with tropical forest. It is mainly active during daylight and moves between branches with quick leaps, short climbs, and frequent pauses to inspect food.

The most useful visible clues are slender body, long tail, and subdued brown forest coloration. These features are most helpful when viewed together with the squirrel’s range and the type of woodland in which it is seen. Color alone should not be used as the only identification feature because squirrels often vary between regions, seasons, ages, and individuals.

Its diet commonly includes fruits, seeds, flowers, and insects. Food availability changes through the year, so individuals may shift between fruits, seeds, flowers, fungi, bark, buds, or small animal foods depending on the species and season. Because it consumes and transports plant material, it participates in forest food webs as both a consumer and prey species.

64. Davao Squirrel

Scientific name: Sundasciurus davensis

Davao Squirrel is an arboreal squirrel associated with Mindanao, Philippines. It is most often associated with tropical forest. Like many arboreal squirrels, it relies on strong hind limbs and sharp claws to move across trunks and branches, retreating into tree cover when disturbed.

A careful observer should pay particular attention to medium-small body with strong climbing feet and a long balancing tail. These features are most helpful when viewed together with the squirrel’s range and the type of woodland in which it is seen. Photographs of the back, belly, tail, and face are more useful than a single distant image when comparing similar species.

Its diet commonly includes fruits, seeds, flowers, and other plant foods. Food availability changes through the year, so individuals may shift between fruits, seeds, flowers, fungi, bark, buds, or small animal foods depending on the species and season. The species is part of a broader arboreal community in which squirrels help move seeds, consume fungi and plant material, and support predators higher in the food web.

65. Horse-tailed Squirrel

Scientific name: Sundasciurus hippurus

Found in Sundaland, the Horse-tailed Squirrel is a useful example of how tree squirrels adapt to local forests and wooded landscapes. It is most often associated with tropical forest. Its daily routine typically involves searching trees and the forest floor for seasonal foods before returning to the safety of branches or nest sites.

Identification is easiest when you combine location with long, full tail and brownish to reddish body coloration. These features are most helpful when viewed together with the squirrel’s range and the type of woodland in which it is seen. Geographic range is especially valuable when several related squirrels have overlapping gray, brown, or reddish coats.

Its diet commonly includes fruits, seeds, flowers, and plant material. Food availability changes through the year, so individuals may shift between fruits, seeds, flowers, fungi, bark, buds, or small animal foods depending on the species and season. As with many squirrels, its feeding and caching behavior can influence the movement of seeds through the habitat.

66. Jentink’s Squirrel

Scientific name: Sundasciurus jentinki

The Jentink’s Squirrel is a tree-dwelling member of the squirrel family that occurs in Borneo. It is most often associated with higher-elevation and montane forest. It spends much of its active period climbing and foraging, using the tail as a balancing structure when negotiating narrow branches or changing direction rapidly.

For field identification, look for small size and subdued dark forest coloration. These features are most helpful when viewed together with the squirrel’s range and the type of woodland in which it is seen. When identification is uncertain, habitat and geographic range are usually more dependable than a single coat color.

Its diet commonly includes fruits, seeds, plant material, and insects. Food availability changes through the year, so individuals may shift between fruits, seeds, flowers, fungi, bark, buds, or small animal foods depending on the species and season. Its presence can indicate that the surrounding landscape still provides usable tree cover, food plants, and safe nesting locations.

67. Low’s Squirrel

Scientific name: Sundasciurus lowii

Among the tree squirrels of Borneo, Sumatra, and nearby Sunda regions, the Low’s Squirrel is recognized by a combination of habitat, body pattern, and behavior. It is most often associated with lowland and hill forest. It is mainly active during daylight and moves between branches with quick leaps, short climbs, and frequent pauses to inspect food.

The most useful visible clues are small brownish body and a relatively long but not heavily plumed tail. These features are most helpful when viewed together with the squirrel’s range and the type of woodland in which it is seen. Color alone should not be used as the only identification feature because squirrels often vary between regions, seasons, ages, and individuals.

Its diet commonly includes fruits, seeds, flowers, insects, and plant material. Food availability changes through the year, so individuals may shift between fruits, seeds, flowers, fungi, bark, buds, or small animal foods depending on the species and season. Because it consumes and transports plant material, it participates in forest food webs as both a consumer and prey species.

68. Slender Squirrel

Scientific name: Sundasciurus tenuis

Slender Squirrel is an arboreal squirrel associated with Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, and nearby areas. It is most often associated with lowland forest, secondary woodland, and wooded habitats. Like many arboreal squirrels, it relies on strong hind limbs and sharp claws to move across trunks and branches, retreating into tree cover when disturbed.

A careful observer should pay particular attention to light, narrow build with brown upperparts and a lighter underside. These features are most helpful when viewed together with the squirrel’s range and the type of woodland in which it is seen. Photographs of the back, belly, tail, and face are more useful than a single distant image when comparing similar species.

Its diet commonly includes fruits, insects, soft plant material, and seeds. Food availability changes through the year, so individuals may shift between fruits, seeds, flowers, fungi, bark, buds, or small animal foods depending on the species and season. The species is part of a broader arboreal community in which squirrels help move seeds, consume fungi and plant material, and support predators higher in the food web.

69. Northern Palawan Tree Squirrel

Scientific name: Sundasciurus juvencus

Found in Palawan region of the Philippines, the Northern Palawan Tree Squirrel is a useful example of how tree squirrels adapt to local forests and wooded landscapes. It is most often associated with tropical island forest. Its daily routine typically involves searching trees and the forest floor for seasonal foods before returning to the safety of branches or nest sites.

Identification is easiest when you combine location with medium-small arboreal build and a long tail. These features are most helpful when viewed together with the squirrel’s range and the type of woodland in which it is seen. Geographic range is especially valuable when several related squirrels have overlapping gray, brown, or reddish coats.

Its diet commonly includes fruits, seeds, flowers, and plant foods. Food availability changes through the year, so individuals may shift between fruits, seeds, flowers, fungi, bark, buds, or small animal foods depending on the species and season. As with many squirrels, its feeding and caching behavior can influence the movement of seeds through the habitat.

70. Philippine Tree Squirrel

Scientific name: Sundasciurus philippinensis

The Philippine Tree Squirrel is a tree-dwelling member of the squirrel family that occurs in Philippines. It is most often associated with tropical forest and wooded habitats. It spends much of its active period climbing and foraging, using the tail as a balancing structure when negotiating narrow branches or changing direction rapidly.

For field identification, look for medium-small build with strong hind legs, curved claws, and a long tail. These features are most helpful when viewed together with the squirrel’s range and the type of woodland in which it is seen. When identification is uncertain, habitat and geographic range are usually more dependable than a single coat color.

Its diet commonly includes fruits, seeds, buds, flowers, and other plant foods. Food availability changes through the year, so individuals may shift between fruits, seeds, flowers, fungi, bark, buds, or small animal foods depending on the species and season. Its presence can indicate that the surrounding landscape still provides usable tree cover, food plants, and safe nesting locations.

71. Secretive Dwarf Squirrel

Scientific name: Prosciurillus abstrusus

Among the tree squirrels of Sulawesi region of Indonesia, the Secretive Dwarf Squirrel is recognized by a combination of habitat, body pattern, and behavior. It is most often associated with tropical forest. It is mainly active during daylight and moves between branches with quick leaps, short climbs, and frequent pauses to inspect food.

The most useful visible clues are small body and inconspicuous forest coloration. These features are most helpful when viewed together with the squirrel’s range and the type of woodland in which it is seen. Color alone should not be used as the only identification feature because squirrels often vary between regions, seasons, ages, and individuals.

Its diet commonly includes small fruits, seeds, plant matter, and invertebrates. Food availability changes through the year, so individuals may shift between fruits, seeds, flowers, fungi, bark, buds, or small animal foods depending on the species and season. Because it consumes and transports plant material, it participates in forest food webs as both a consumer and prey species.

72. Alston’s Sulawesi Dwarf Squirrel

Scientific name: Prosciurillus alstoni

Alston’s Sulawesi Dwarf Squirrel is an arboreal squirrel associated with Sulawesi, Indonesia. It is most often associated with tropical forest. Like many arboreal squirrels, it relies on strong hind limbs and sharp claws to move across trunks and branches, retreating into tree cover when disturbed.

A careful observer should pay particular attention to compact size with brown to reddish forest colors. These features are most helpful when viewed together with the squirrel’s range and the type of woodland in which it is seen. Photographs of the back, belly, tail, and face are more useful than a single distant image when comparing similar species.

Its diet commonly includes small fruits, seeds, insects, and plant foods. Food availability changes through the year, so individuals may shift between fruits, seeds, flowers, fungi, bark, buds, or small animal foods depending on the species and season. The species is part of a broader arboreal community in which squirrels help move seeds, consume fungi and plant material, and support predators higher in the food web.

73. Whitish Dwarf Squirrel

Scientific name: Prosciurillus leucomus

Found in Sulawesi and neighboring Indonesian islands, the Whitish Dwarf Squirrel is a useful example of how tree squirrels adapt to local forests and wooded landscapes. It is most often associated with tropical forest. Its daily routine typically involves searching trees and the forest floor for seasonal foods before returning to the safety of branches or nest sites.

Identification is easiest when you combine location with small body with variable pale, brown, or contrasting markings. These features are most helpful when viewed together with the squirrel’s range and the type of woodland in which it is seen. Geographic range is especially valuable when several related squirrels have overlapping gray, brown, or reddish coats.

Its diet commonly includes fruits, seeds, plant matter, and insects. Food availability changes through the year, so individuals may shift between fruits, seeds, flowers, fungi, bark, buds, or small animal foods depending on the species and season. As with many squirrels, its feeding and caching behavior can influence the movement of seeds through the habitat.

74. Celebes Dwarf Squirrel

Scientific name: Prosciurillus murinus

The Celebes Dwarf Squirrel is a tree-dwelling member of the squirrel family that occurs in Sulawesi, Indonesia. It is most often associated with tropical forest. It spends much of its active period climbing and foraging, using the tail as a balancing structure when negotiating narrow branches or changing direction rapidly.

For field identification, look for compact body and subdued brown forest coloration. These features are most helpful when viewed together with the squirrel’s range and the type of woodland in which it is seen. When identification is uncertain, habitat and geographic range are usually more dependable than a single coat color.

Its diet commonly includes small fruits, seeds, insects, and plant foods. Food availability changes through the year, so individuals may shift between fruits, seeds, flowers, fungi, bark, buds, or small animal foods depending on the species and season. Its presence can indicate that the surrounding landscape still provides usable tree cover, food plants, and safe nesting locations.

75. Weber’s Dwarf Squirrel

Scientific name: Prosciurillus weberi

Among the tree squirrels of Sulawesi, Indonesia, the Weber’s Dwarf Squirrel is recognized by a combination of habitat, body pattern, and behavior. It is most often associated with tropical forest. It is mainly active during daylight and moves between branches with quick leaps, short climbs, and frequent pauses to inspect food.

The most useful visible clues are small proportions and inconspicuous woodland coloration. These features are most helpful when viewed together with the squirrel’s range and the type of woodland in which it is seen. Color alone should not be used as the only identification feature because squirrels often vary between regions, seasons, ages, and individuals.

76. Gambian Sun Squirrel

Scientific name: Heliosciurus gambianus

Gambian Sun Squirrel is an arboreal squirrel associated with sub-Saharan Africa. It is most often associated with woodland, forest edge, wooded savanna, gardens, and riverine trees. Like many arboreal squirrels, it relies on strong hind limbs and sharp claws to move across trunks and branches, retreating into tree cover when disturbed.

A careful observer should pay particular attention to grizzled gray-brown to yellowish coat and a full tail. These features are most helpful when viewed together with the squirrel’s range and the type of woodland in which it is seen. Photographs of the back, belly, tail, and face are more useful than a single distant image when comparing similar species.

Its diet commonly includes fruits, seeds, nuts, flowers, buds, and insects. Food availability changes through the year, so individuals may shift between fruits, seeds, flowers, fungi, bark, buds, or small animal foods depending on the species and season. The species is part of a broader arboreal community in which squirrels help move seeds, consume fungi and plant material, and support predators higher in the food web.

77. Red-legged Sun Squirrel

Scientific name: Heliosciurus rufobrachium

Found in western and central Africa, the Red-legged Sun Squirrel is a useful example of how tree squirrels adapt to local forests and wooded landscapes. It is most often associated with tropical forest, secondary growth, and mature woodland. Its daily routine typically involves searching trees and the forest floor for seasonal foods before returning to the safety of branches or nest sites.

Identification is easiest when you combine location with reddish or rusty limbs contrasting with darker grizzled upperparts. These features are most helpful when viewed together with the squirrel’s range and the type of woodland in which it is seen. Geographic range is especially valuable when several related squirrels have overlapping gray, brown, or reddish coats.

Its diet commonly includes fruits, seeds, plant material, flowers, and occasional animal foods. Food availability changes through the year, so individuals may shift between fruits, seeds, flowers, fungi, bark, buds, or small animal foods depending on the species and season. As with many squirrels, its feeding and caching behavior can influence the movement of seeds through the habitat.

78. Mutable Sun Squirrel

Scientific name: Heliosciurus mutabilis

The Mutable Sun Squirrel is a tree-dwelling member of the squirrel family that occurs in eastern Africa. It is most often associated with forest, woodland, and coastal or montane wooded habitats. It spends much of its active period climbing and foraging, using the tail as a balancing structure when negotiating narrow branches or changing direction rapidly.

For field identification, look for geographically variable coat in gray, brown, olive, or warmer tones. These features are most helpful when viewed together with the squirrel’s range and the type of woodland in which it is seen. When identification is uncertain, habitat and geographic range are usually more dependable than a single coat color.

79. Smith’s Bush Squirrel

Scientific name: Paraxerus cepapi

Among the tree squirrels of southern Africa, the Smith’s Bush Squirrel is recognized by a combination of habitat, body pattern, and behavior. It is most often associated with savanna woodland, mopane woodland, riverine trees, parks, and wooded settlements. It is mainly active during daylight and moves between branches with quick leaps, short climbs, and frequent pauses to inspect food.

The most useful visible clues are slender build, grizzled brown-gray fur, bushy tail, and pale facial markings. These features are most helpful when viewed together with the squirrel’s range and the type of woodland in which it is seen. Color alone should not be used as the only identification feature because squirrels often vary between regions, seasons, ages, and individuals.

Its diet commonly includes fruits, seeds, nuts, plant material, and insects. Food availability changes through the year, so individuals may shift between fruits, seeds, flowers, fungi, bark, buds, or small animal foods depending on the species and season. Because it consumes and transports plant material, it participates in forest food webs as both a consumer and prey species.

80. Forest Giant Squirrel

Scientific name: Protoxerus stangeri

Forest Giant Squirrel is an arboreal squirrel associated with western and central Africa. It is most often associated with tropical forest, mature secondary forest, and some plantations. Like many arboreal squirrels, it relies on strong hind limbs and sharp claws to move across trunks and branches, retreating into tree cover when disturbed.

A careful observer should pay particular attention to large robust body, powerful head, and grizzled brown coat with a large tail. These features are most helpful when viewed together with the squirrel’s range and the type of woodland in which it is seen. Photographs of the back, belly, tail, and face are more useful than a single distant image when comparing similar species.

Its diet commonly includes fruits, seeds, nuts, bark, flowers, and other plant foods. Food availability changes through the year, so individuals may shift between fruits, seeds, flowers, fungi, bark, buds, or small animal foods depending on the species and season. The species is part of a broader arboreal community in which squirrels help move seeds, consume fungi and plant material, and support predators higher in the food web.

How Are These Types of Tree Squirrels Classified?

All of the animals in this guide belong to the family Sciuridae, a large rodent family that also includes ground squirrels, chipmunks, marmots, prairie dogs, and flying squirrels. Tree-dwelling species are not confined to one single worldwide branch of the family. Instead, strongly arboreal lifestyles evolved and diversified in several squirrel lineages.

Many familiar American and Eurasian tree squirrels are placed in the tribe Sciurini, including species traditionally assigned to Sciurus and related genera. Asian arboreal diversity is especially high and includes giant squirrels in Ratufa, oriental tree squirrels in Callosciurus, palm squirrels in Funambulus, striped squirrels in Tamiops, Sunda squirrels in Sundasciurus, and several pygmy or dwarf squirrel genera.

African tree squirrels include sun squirrels, bush squirrels, and larger forest squirrels. Modern taxonomy continues to change as researchers compare DNA, museum specimens, geographic variation, and anatomy. This is especially important for tropical species complexes in which populations once treated as one widespread species may represent multiple evolutionary lineages.

Where Do These Wild Animals Live?

Tree squirrels occupy wooded habitats across much of the world. In North America, different species specialize in eastern hardwood forest, western oak woodland, ponderosa pine forest, coniferous forest, riparian woodland, and urban parks. Mexico and Central America add many tropical and mountain species, while South America supports both dwarf squirrels and much larger Amazonian forms.

Europe and northern Asia are best known for the Eurasian red squirrel, while southern and southeastern Asia contain an extraordinary variety of giant squirrels, colorful oriental tree squirrels, palm squirrels, striped squirrels, pygmy squirrels, and island endemics. Africa has its own lineages adapted to rainforest, savanna woodland, riverine trees, and forest edges.

The presence of trees alone does not guarantee suitable habitat. Different species may depend on particular canopy structures, tree species, food cycles, elevations, climates, or nesting opportunities. Mature trees with cavities and connected crowns are especially valuable to many forest specialists.

How to Identify Different Types of Tree Squirrels

Start with location: Country, island, mountain range, and habitat can eliminate many impossible species immediately.
Estimate body size: Decide whether the squirrel is pygmy-sized, small, medium, large, or giant.
Study the tail: Note its length, thickness, color, frosting, bands, and whether it is narrow or heavily plumed.
Check the belly: White, gray, cream, red, orange, or dark underparts can be highly useful.
Look for stripes: Palm squirrels, striped squirrels, plantain squirrels, and several Asian species have distinctive longitudinal markings.
Watch the ears: Ear tufts or dark ear patches can separate otherwise similar species.
Observe behavior: Some squirrels feed mostly on the ground, while others remain high in the canopy or work along vertical trunks.
Note the forest type: Pine, oak, cloud forest, tropical rainforest, mangrove, dry forest, or urban woodland can all point toward different species.
Photograph several angles: A clear image of the back, side, belly, face, and tail makes later identification much easier.
Expect variation: Color can change with season, age, geography, or individual genetics, so never rely on a single color trait.

Tree Squirrels vs. Ground Squirrels

Tree squirrels are generally built for climbing. They tend to have relatively long tails, strong curved claws, flexible ankles, and bodies that can balance efficiently on branches. When threatened, many run upward into trees or move around the far side of a trunk.

Ground squirrels depend more heavily on terrestrial habitat and underground burrows. Many have shorter or less dramatically bushy tails, although body form varies widely. Behavior is often the easiest clue: a squirrel that repeatedly disappears into a burrow system is more likely to be a ground-dwelling species than a typical tree squirrel.

Tree Squirrels vs. Flying Squirrels

Flying squirrels also live in trees, but they have a specialized membrane of skin between the limbs that allows controlled gliding. Typical tree squirrels do not possess this gliding membrane. They cross gaps by jumping and use the tail to help stabilize the body in the air and on narrow branches.

Many familiar tree squirrels are active during daylight, whereas numerous flying squirrels are mainly nocturnal. For clarity, flying squirrels are not included among the 80 species in this guide.

What Do Tree Squirrels Eat?

Most tree squirrels are flexible feeders. Nuts, acorns, seeds, fruits, berries, flowers, buds, shoots, bark, sap, fungi, and conifer seeds can all be important. Some species also eat insects, eggs, or other small animal foods when the opportunity arises.

Diet changes with geography and season. Temperate squirrels may depend heavily on mast crops and conifer seeds, while tropical squirrels often follow cycles of flowering and fruiting trees. Pygmy squirrels can focus more strongly on tiny foods found on bark, whereas giant squirrels are capable of handling large fruits and hard seeds.

How Do Tree Squirrels Move Through Trees?

Powerful hind limbs provide acceleration for jumping, while curved claws grip bark and branches. Many tree squirrels can rotate the hind feet enough to descend tree trunks headfirst, a useful ability when escaping predators or moving efficiently between feeding sites.

The tail is more than decoration. It contributes to balance, body control, communication, insulation, and rapid changes of direction. Giant squirrels use long tails while crossing the canopy, while small trunk-foraging species depend more heavily on close contact with bark and narrow branches.

Where Do Tree Squirrels Sleep and Nest?

Many tree squirrels shelter in natural cavities or abandoned woodpecker holes. Cavities can provide protection from rain, cold, heat, and predators. Other species construct leafy nests, often called dreys, by weaving together twigs, leaves, bark strips, and softer lining material.

Nesting behavior differs among species and climates. Tropical squirrels may use dense vegetation, branch forks, or cavities, while temperate species often select protected sites that reduce exposure during severe weather.

Outdoor Tips for Finding and Observing These Species

Early morning and late afternoon are often productive times for squirrel watching, although activity patterns vary. Listen for alarm calls, scratching sounds, falling pieces of fruit, gnawed cones, and rustling leaves. In conifer forest, piles of cone scales can reveal repeated feeding or food-storage sites.

Binoculars are valuable even for relatively close squirrels because belly color, flank stripes, ear tufts, and tail patterns may be difficult to see with the naked eye. In tropical forest, spend time watching fruiting trees and vertical trunks rather than scanning only the highest canopy.

Record the exact habitat and, when possible, elevation. These details can be decisive when two species look similar. Never disturb nests or chase animals for photographs.

Safety, Sustainability, and Conservation Notes

Observe wild squirrels from a respectful distance. Regular feeding can change natural behavior, increase crowding, attract animals to roads or buildings, and create conflict with people. Habitat-based wildlife watching is a better long-term approach than using food to draw squirrels closer.

Mature forests are especially valuable because large trees can provide cavities, canopy connections, bark resources, fruits, nuts, and stable nest sites. Island and mountain endemics may be particularly sensitive to habitat loss because their entire distribution can be relatively small.

Introduced squirrels can become ecological problems outside their native ranges, so animals should never be captured in one location and released somewhere else. Hunting, trapping, relocation, rehabilitation, and pest-control laws differ by region; always follow current local wildlife regulations.

Fun Facts About Tree Squirrels

Tree squirrels are rodents with continuously growing front incisors.
The tail can help with balance, insulation, communication, and body control during jumps.
Some squirrels bury many separate food caches rather than maintaining one central store.
Forgotten caches can allow some seeds to germinate and contribute to forest regeneration.
Black squirrels are often melanistic color forms of otherwise familiar species rather than unique species.
Asian giant squirrels belong to a different major squirrel lineage from the familiar gray squirrels of North America.
Tiny pygmy squirrels can exploit narrow branches and bark surfaces that larger squirrels cannot use as efficiently.
Several Southeast Asian squirrels are restricted to individual islands or mountain systems.
Color is extremely variable in species such as Finlayson’s squirrel and the variegated squirrel.
Modern genetic studies continue to reveal previously hidden diversity within the squirrel family.

Final Thoughts on Types of Tree Squirrels

The world’s types of tree squirrels are far more diverse than the few species commonly seen in neighborhood parks. Gray squirrels, fox squirrels, pine squirrels, tropical American squirrels, giant Asian squirrels, striped palm squirrels, pygmy squirrels, Sunda squirrels, and African sun squirrels all show different solutions to life in the trees.

For reliable identification, begin with geographic location and habitat, then compare body size, tail shape, belly color, stripes, ear features, and behavior. This approach is especially useful in tropical regions where several related species may look similar from a distance.

Responsible observation protects both squirrels and their habitat. By watching quietly, avoiding artificial feeding, and learning the local species, wildlife enthusiasts can better appreciate how much ecological and evolutionary diversity exists within this familiar rodent family.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is a tree squirrel?

A tree squirrel is a squirrel that is strongly adapted to climbing and spends a substantial part of its life feeding, traveling, nesting, or resting in trees. The phrase can be used broadly for arboreal squirrels from several evolutionary lineages.

2. Are there exactly 80 types of tree squirrels?

No. More than 80 living squirrel species can reasonably be described as tree-dwelling. This article uses 80 as a practical maximum for a global identification guide rather than claiming that exactly 80 species exist.

3. Are all tree squirrels in the genus Sciurus?

No. The genus Sciurus contains many familiar species, but tree-dwelling squirrels also occur in genera such as Ratufa, Callosciurus, Funambulus, Tamiops, Sundasciurus, Heliosciurus, and many others.

4. What is one of the most familiar tree squirrels in North America?

The Eastern gray squirrel is among the most familiar because it thrives in deciduous forests, parks, campuses, and suburban neighborhoods across a large part of eastern North America.

5. Which tree squirrels are among the largest?

Asian giant squirrels in the genus Ratufa are among the largest arboreal squirrels. They have long bodies, powerful limbs, and exceptionally long tails suited to movement through forest canopies.

6. Which tree squirrels are among the smallest?

Pygmy and dwarf squirrels in genera such as Exilisciurus, Nannosciurus, Microsciurus, and Prosciurillus include extremely small tree-dwelling species.

7. Are gray squirrels always gray?

No. Eastern gray squirrels can show reddish tones, while melanistic individuals may be almost completely black. Color variation is one reason identification should include size, range, and body pattern.

8. Is a black squirrel a separate species?

Not necessarily. Many black squirrels in North America are dark color forms of Eastern gray squirrels or fox squirrels rather than separate species.

9. How can I tell a fox squirrel from an Eastern gray squirrel?

Fox squirrels are usually larger and heavier-looking. Many populations also show rusty, orange, or tawny coloration on the underside, whereas Eastern gray squirrels often have paler or white underparts.

10. Are red squirrels tree squirrels?

Yes. The Eurasian red squirrel and American red squirrel are strongly arboreal, although they belong to different species and live in different geographic regions.

11. Are flying squirrels included as tree squirrels?

Flying squirrels are arboreal members of the squirrel family, but they are usually discussed separately because they possess a specialized gliding membrane. They are not included in the 80-species list in this guide.

12. Are chipmunks tree squirrels?

Chipmunks can climb well, but they are primarily associated with terrestrial habitats and underground burrows, so they are not usually treated as typical tree squirrels.

13. Do tree squirrels live entirely in trees?

No. Many regularly descend to the ground to collect food, bury seeds, drink, or move between trees. Their defining lifestyle is strongly arboreal rather than exclusively arboreal.

14. Where do tree squirrels build nests?

Many use natural cavities, abandoned woodpecker holes, or leafy nests placed in branch forks. The exact nest type varies by species, climate, forest structure, and available shelter.

15. What is a squirrel drey?

A drey is a nest made from twigs, leaves, bark, and softer plant material. It is usually positioned among branches and may be used for resting, shelter, or raising young.

16. Do tree squirrels hibernate?

Most familiar tree squirrels do not undergo the prolonged true hibernation associated with several ground squirrel species. They may reduce activity or remain sheltered during severe weather.

17. What do tree squirrels eat?

Common foods include nuts, seeds, fruits, berries, buds, flowers, shoots, fungi, bark, and conifer seeds. Some species also consume insects and other small animal foods opportunistically.

18. Why do some squirrels bury nuts?

Burying food allows squirrels to create reserves for periods when fresh food is less abundant. Species that scatter-hoard may establish many individual caches across their home range.

19. Can squirrels remember where food is buried?

Squirrels can recover many caches through spatial memory, smell, and environmental cues. They do not retrieve every seed, however, and some forgotten caches may germinate.

20. Do tree squirrels help forests regenerate?

Some species can contribute to seed dispersal when they carry and cache seeds away from parent plants. Seeds that are not recovered may survive and grow in suitable conditions.

21. Why are squirrel tails so bushy?

A bushy tail can contribute to balance, communication, insulation, body control, and protection from sun or rain. Its importance varies with species and habitat.

22. Can tree squirrels climb down a trunk headfirst?

Many can. Flexible ankle joints and strong claws allow the hind feet to grip bark effectively while the squirrel faces downward.

23. Can tree squirrels jump between trees?

Yes. Powerful hind legs allow many species to leap across gaps between branches. The distance they can cross depends on species, body size, starting height, and surrounding vegetation.

24. Are tree squirrels nocturnal?

Most typical tree squirrels in this guide are mainly active during daylight. Flying squirrels, which are treated separately, are much more strongly associated with nighttime activity.

25. What is the best time to see tree squirrels?

Morning and late afternoon are often productive, especially when temperatures are comfortable and squirrels are actively searching for food. Activity varies among species and climates.

26. Which trees attract squirrels?

Nut-, seed-, cone-, and fruit-producing trees are especially important. Oaks, hickories, walnuts, beeches, pines, and many tropical fruiting trees can all provide valuable food.

27. What is the easiest way to identify an unknown tree squirrel?

Start with the country or region, then note habitat, body size, tail shape, belly color, side stripes, ear tufts, and behavior. Geographic range can eliminate many similar-looking species.

28. Why is location so important when identifying squirrels?

Many squirrels have similar gray, brown, red, or striped coats but live in different regions or islands. A precise location can greatly reduce the number of realistic candidates.

29. Why are tropical tree squirrels difficult to identify?

Tropical forests may contain several related species with similar body size and coloration. Dense vegetation also makes it difficult to see the belly, tail, or side markings clearly.

30. Why do scientific squirrel names change?

Taxonomy changes when new genetic, anatomical, and geographic evidence shows that populations are more or less closely related than previously thought. Species may be split, combined, or moved to different genera.

31. Are palm squirrels considered tree squirrels?

Palm squirrels are highly capable climbers and spend substantial time in trees. Under the broad ecological use of the term, they are appropriately discussed among tree squirrels.

32. Are giant squirrels aggressive?

Wild giant squirrels generally avoid close contact with people. Like any wild rodent, however, they can defend themselves if trapped, cornered, or handled.

33. Can a tree squirrel bite a person?

Yes. Squirrels have strong incisors and may bite defensively. Wild squirrels should not be handled without appropriate wildlife training and legal authorization.

34. Should people feed wild squirrels?

Routine feeding is usually unnecessary and can alter natural behavior. Maintaining native trees, shrubs, and healthy habitat provides a more sustainable way to support local wildlife.

35. Can tree squirrels live in cities?

Some species adapt very well to urban areas, especially where mature trees, parks, gardens, and reliable food are available. Others remain strongly dependent on intact forest.

36. Do all tree squirrels live in dense forest?

No. Some prefer mature rainforest, but others use open woodland, savanna, plantations, farmland edges, parks, campuses, and suburban neighborhoods.

37. What should I do if I find a baby squirrel?

Do not assume it is abandoned immediately. Keep people and pets away, observe from a safe distance, and contact a licensed wildlife rehabilitator if the young squirrel is injured or clearly orphaned.

38. Can tree squirrels damage buildings?

Urban squirrels may enter attics or roof spaces through existing openings and can gnaw materials. Humane exclusion and maintenance of entry points are generally better long-term solutions than attracting squirrels near buildings.

39. Are tree squirrels important to ecosystems?

Yes. They function as seed consumers, seed dispersers, fungal-spore movers, prey animals, and participants in complex forest food webs.

40. How can I watch tree squirrels responsibly?

Use binoculars or a camera, remain far enough away that the animal continues normal behavior, avoid nests, do not chase wildlife, and follow local park and wildlife rules.

41. Do tree squirrels communicate with their tails?

Yes. Tail flicks and postures can form part of visual communication, especially during alarm, social encounters, or territorial interactions.

42. Why do squirrels sometimes freeze on a tree trunk?

Remaining still can help a squirrel assess danger and reduce detection by predators. Some individuals also move to the far side of a trunk while watching a potential threat.

43. Can several tree squirrel species live in the same forest?

Yes. Tropical forests in particular can support multiple squirrel species that differ in body size, feeding height, diet, or preferred microhabitat.

44. Are island tree squirrels especially vulnerable?

Some are because their total range may be limited to one island or a small group of islands. Habitat change, invasive species, and other local pressures can therefore affect a large share of the population.

45. What equipment is useful for identifying tree squirrels?

Binoculars, a camera with optical zoom, a regional mammal field guide, and a notebook or phone for recording location and habitat are usually enough for responsible field identification.