Eastern Gray Squirrel
Sciurus carolinensis
S. carolinensis are medium-sized tree squirrels with a predominantly gray coat and a white or light gray underside. Their bushy tail is typically long and often has a fro…
How to identify
S. carolinensis are medium-sized tree squirrels with a predominantly gray coat and a white or light gray underside. Their bushy tail is typically long and often has a frosted appearance due to white-tipped hairs. They have moderately sized ears and sharp claws for climbing. Color variations can occur, including melanistic (black) individuals, especially in northern parts of their range.
Range
S. carolinensis is one of the most common and widely distributed tree squirrels in eastern North America. Their native range extends from southern Canada throughout the eastern United States, and they have been introduced to many other areas, including the Pacific coast.
Habitat
S. carolinensis are highly adaptable and thrive in a variety of forested habitats, including deciduous, coniferous, and mixed forests. They are also very common in urban and suburban environments with trees, such as parks, gardens, and campuses. They are primarily arboreal but frequently forage on the ground.
Similar species
S. niger are generally larger and exhibit more variable coloration, often with reddish-brown or tawny hues. S. griseus are larger than eastern gray squirrels and have a more uniformly silver-gray coat with a white-fringed tail.
Name and etymology
Genus
Sciurus
Greek for shadow (skia) tail (oura)
Origin
Sources
- Palmer, Index Generum Mammalium (1904) ↗
Palmer, T. S. 1904. Index Generum Mammalium: a list of the genera and families of mammals. North American Fauna 23. Government Printing Office, Washington. https://doi.org/10.5962/bhl.title.39809
Species epithet
carolinensis
Latin for of Carolina
Origin
Sources
- Wikipedia: Sciurus carolinensis ↗
“Sciurus carolinensis.” Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eastern_gray_squirrel
Explore more names in the etymology index.
More illustrations
Melanistic
At a glance
Range
S. carolinensis is one of the most common and widely distributed tree squirrels in eastern North America. Their native range…
Habitat
S. carolinensis are highly adaptable and thrive in a variety of forested habitats, including deciduous, coniferous, and mixed…
Guide
Mammals of North America
Range map
Approximate range. © Mapbox © OpenStreetMap