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Eastern Gray Squirrel

Sciurus carolinensis

Mammal · family Sciuridae · order Rodentia

  1. G1
    Critically imperiled
  2. G2
    Imperiled
  3. G3
    Vulnerable
  4. G4
    Apparently secure
  5. G5
    Secure

NatureServe global rank G5: secure[2].

Updated October 30, 2026. Published by Humblebee.

Eastern Gray Squirrel
Photo: Dominic Nelson, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
Endangered Species Act
Not listed[1]
NatureServe global rank
G5 Secure[2]
Native in
38 states[3]
Longest recorded life
23.6 years[4]

The Eastern Gray Squirrel is a mammal in the squirrel family (Sciuridae) and the rodent order, and NatureServe ranks it G5 (Secure) worldwide[5][2]. It is native in 38 US states and territories and is not listed under the Endangered Species Act[3][1].

Conservation status

NatureServe gives the Eastern Gray Squirrel a global rank of G5 (Secure) and a US national rank of N5 (Secure)[2][6]. The IUCN Red List category recorded by NatureServe is Least concern[7]. USFWS data checked on 2026-10-30 show it is not listed as endangered or threatened under the Endangered Species Act[1].

Status Value
Endangered Species Act[1] Not listed
NatureServe global rank[2] G5 (Secure)
NatureServe US rank[6] N5 (Secure)
IUCN Red List (via NatureServe)[7] Least concern

Where Eastern Gray Squirrel lives

NatureServe lists the Eastern Gray Squirrel as native in 38 US states and territories[3]. These include Alabama, Texas, Florida, New York, Minnesota and Maine, plus the District of Columbia[3]. It is listed as introduced, which means not native, in Idaho, Montana, Oregon, Washington and Wyoming[8]. These lists show where NatureServe records the animal, not where you are sure to see it[3].

Alaska: not recordedAKMaine: native, state rank S5MEWisconsin: native, state rank S5WIVermont: native, state rank S5VTNew Hampshire: native, state rank S5NHWashington: introduced, state rank SNAWAIdaho: introduced, state rank SNAIDMontana: introduced, state rank SNAMTNorth Dakota: native, state rank SNRNDMinnesota: native, state rank SNRMNIllinois: native, state rank S5ILMichigan: native, state rank S5MINew York: native, state rank S5NYMassachusetts: native, state rank S5MAOregon: introduced, state rank SNAORNevada: not recordedNVWyoming: introduced, state rank SNAWYSouth Dakota: native, state rank SUSDIowa: native, state rank S5IAIndiana: native, state rank S5INOhio: native, state rank SNROHPennsylvania: native, state rank S5PANew Jersey: native, state rank S5NJConnecticut: native, state rank S5CTRhode Island: native, state rank S5RICalifornia: not recordedCAUtah: not recordedUTColorado: not recordedCONebraska: native, state rank S4NEMissouri: native, state rank S5MOKentucky: native, state rank S5KYWest Virginia: native, state rank S5WVVirginia: native, state rank S5VAMaryland: native, state rank S5MDDelaware: native, state rank S5DEArizona: not recordedAZNew Mexico: not recordedNMKansas: native, state rank S5KSArkansas: native, state rank S5ARTennessee: native, state rank S5TNNorth Carolina: native, state rank S5NCSouth Carolina: native, state rank S5SCDistrict of Columbia: native, state rank S5DCOklahoma: native, state rank SNROKLouisiana: native, state rank S5LAMississippi: native, state rank S5MSAlabama: native, state rank S5ALGeorgia: native, state rank S5GAHawaii: not recordedHITexas: native, state rank S5TXFlorida: native, state rank SNRFLPuerto Rico: not recordedPR
State presence as recorded by NatureServe[9].
Show state ranks (43 states)
StateRankMeaning
AlabamaS5Secure
ArkansasS5Secure
ConnecticutS5Secure
DelawareS5Secure
District of ColumbiaS5Secure
FloridaSNRNot Ranked
GeorgiaS5Secure
IdahoSNANot Applicable
IllinoisS5Secure
IndianaS5Secure
IowaS5Secure
KansasS5Secure
KentuckyS5Secure
LouisianaS5Secure
MaineS5Secure
MarylandS5Secure
MassachusettsS5Secure
MichiganS5Secure
MinnesotaSNRNot Ranked
MississippiS5Secure
MissouriS5Secure
MontanaSNANot Applicable
NebraskaS4Apparently Secure
New HampshireS5Secure
New JerseyS5Secure
New YorkS5Secure
North CarolinaS5Secure
North DakotaSNRNot Ranked
OhioSNRNot Ranked
OklahomaSNRNot Ranked
OregonSNANot Applicable
PennsylvaniaS5Secure
Rhode IslandS5Secure
South CarolinaS5Secure
South DakotaSUUnrankable
TennesseeS5Secure
TexasS5Secure
VermontS5Secure
VirginiaS5Secure
WashingtonSNANot Applicable
West VirginiaS5Secure
WisconsinS5Secure
WyomingSNANot Applicable

Habitat

NatureServe records hardwood and mixed forest, hardwood and mixed woodland, suburban areas with orchards, and riparian areas, which are places beside streams and rivers[10]. The notes describe a squirrel that likes older forests with plenty of nut trees, and it also uses city parks and floodplains[11]. It rests in tree holes or in nests made of leaves, usually 25 feet or more above the ground[11].

Habitat types recorded by NatureServe[10]

Size, diet and lifespan

The Eastern Gray Squirrel eats seeds, fruits, nuts and fungi, and sometimes insects and small animals such as bird eggs[12][13]. One estimate puts its diet at 50% seeds, 30% other plant material and 20% fruit[14]. In fall it buries nuts and acorns to eat later[12]. NatureServe records a typical length of 50 cm (20 in) and a typical adult weight of 710 g[15][16]. Females have one or two litters a year, and litters most often hold 2 to 3 young[17].

Trait Value
Typical length[15] 50 cm (20 in)
Typical adult weight[16] 710 g (25.0 oz)
Longest recorded lifespan (AnAge)[4] 23.6 years (captivity)
Litter or clutch size[18] 4
Gestation or incubation[19] 44 days
Female maturity[20] 343 days (about 0.9 years)
Food habits[13] Invertivore, Granivore, Frugivore
Active[21] diurnal
Migration[22] non-migrant

Estimated diet composition (EltonTraits 1.0)[14]

  • 50% seeds
  • 30% other plant material
  • 20% fruit

When to look for it

This squirrel is diurnal, which means it is active in the daytime, especially in the morning and late afternoon[23][24]. It may stay inactive for a day or two in very cold, snowy weather[24]. NatureServe calls it a non-migrant, though populations can differ[22]. GBIF records are highest in April, September and October, and this shows when people look and report, not how many animals there are[25].

January: 16,073 recordsJanFebruary: 16,472 recordsFebMarch: 22,614 recordsMarApril: 35,334 recordsAprMay: 22,478 recordsMayJune: 16,415 recordsJunJuly: 12,787 recordsJulAugust: 12,807 recordsAugSeptember: 26,570 recordsSepOctober: 28,344 recordsOctNovember: 18,943 recordsNovDecember: 15,540 recordsDec
US observation records on GBIF by month, all years. The three months with the most records are highlighted. Records show when people look and report, not how many animals there are[25].
Show records by month
MonthRecords
January16,073
February16,472
March22,614
April35,334
May22,478
June16,415
July12,787
August12,807
September26,570
October28,344
November18,943
December15,540

Where to see it

National Park Service species lists record Eastern Gray Squirrel as present in 113 park units[26]. Present means the park has a confirmed record, not that sightings are common.

And 89 more park units.

States with the most GBIF observation records: Florida, New York, North Carolina, Massachusetts, Virginia[27]. These counts follow where people look and report, not population size.

Questions people ask

Is the Eastern Gray Squirrel endangered?
No. It is not listed as endangered or threatened under the US Endangered Species Act[1]. NatureServe ranks it G5 (Secure) globally and N5 (Secure) in the United States[2][6].
Where does the Eastern Gray Squirrel live?
It is native in 38 US states and territories, and it is listed as introduced in Idaho, Montana, Oregon, Washington and Wyoming[3][8].
What does the Eastern Gray Squirrel eat?
It eats seeds, fruits, nuts and fungi, and sometimes insects and small animals[12][13]. In fall it buries nuts and acorns for later[12].
How big is an Eastern Gray Squirrel?
NatureServe records a typical length of 50 cm (20 in) and a typical adult weight of 710 g[15][16].
When is the best time to see an Eastern Gray Squirrel?
It is active in the daytime, especially in the morning and late afternoon[23][24]. GBIF records are highest in April, September and October, which shows when people report it[25].

Facts and sources

  1. Eastern Gray Squirrel is not listed as endangered or threatened under the US Endangered Species Act in USFWS ECOS data (checked 2026-10-30). USFWS ECOS
  2. NatureServe global conservation status rank for Eastern Gray Squirrel: G5 (Secure). NatureServe Explorer
  3. NatureServe lists Eastern Gray Squirrel as native in 38 US states and territories: Alabama, Arkansas, Connecticut, the District of Columbia, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Maryland, Maine,... NatureServe Explorer
  4. Maximum recorded lifespan in AnAge: 23.6 years in captivity. This is a record, not a typical lifespan. AnAge
  5. Eastern Gray Squirrel (Sciurus carolinensis) is a mammal in the family Sciuridae, order Rodentia. NatureServe Explorer
  6. NatureServe national rank in the United States: N5 (Secure). NatureServe Explorer
  7. IUCN Red List category as recorded by NatureServe: Least concern. NatureServe Explorer
  8. NatureServe lists Eastern Gray Squirrel as introduced (not native) in: Idaho, Montana, Oregon, Washington, Wyoming. NatureServe Explorer
  9. NatureServe state ranks for Eastern Gray Squirrel (map and table on this page). NatureServe Explorer
  10. Habitat types NatureServe records for Eastern Gray Squirrel: Forest - hardwood, Forest - mixed, Woodland - hardwood, Woodland - mixed, Suburban/orchard, Riparian. NatureServe Explorer
  11. NatureServe notes on habitat for Eastern Gray Squirrel. NatureServe Explorer
  12. NatureServe notes on food for Eastern Gray Squirrel. NatureServe Explorer
  13. Adult food habits recorded by NatureServe: Invertivore, Granivore, Frugivore. NatureServe Explorer
  14. Estimated diet composition in EltonTraits 1.0: 50% seeds, 30% other plant material, 20% fruit. EltonTraits 1.0
  15. Typical length recorded by NatureServe: 50 cm (20 in). NatureServe Explorer
  16. Typical adult weight recorded by NatureServe: 710 g (25.0 oz). NatureServe Explorer
  17. NatureServe notes on reproduction for Eastern Gray Squirrel. NatureServe Explorer
  18. Typical litter or clutch size in AnAge: 4. AnAge
  19. Gestation or incubation period in AnAge: 44 days. AnAge
  20. Age at female sexual maturity in AnAge: 343 days (about 0.9 years). AnAge
  21. Activity time in EltonTraits 1.0: diurnal. EltonTraits 1.0
  22. NatureServe migration category for Eastern Gray Squirrel: non-migrant (populations can differ). NatureServe Explorer
  23. Adult activity patterns recorded by NatureServe: Diurnal. NatureServe Explorer
  24. NatureServe notes on phenology for Eastern Gray Squirrel. NatureServe Explorer
  25. GBIF observation records of Eastern Gray Squirrel in the US by month (chart on this page). GBIF
  26. NPSpecies park lists recording Eastern Gray Squirrel as present (list on this page). NPS NPSpecies
  27. US states with the most GBIF observation records of Eastern Gray Squirrel: Florida, New York, North Carolina, Massachusetts, Virginia. Record counts follow observer effort, not population size. GBIF

Status, range and habitat come from NatureServe Explorer (CC BY 4.0) and USFWS ECOS at the snapshot date. Listings change by federal rule. State lists are where NatureServe records the species, not a promise that you will see it there. Never name a place smaller than a state. GBIF and park records count observations and checklists. They show where and when people report the species, not how many animals live there.

NatureServe. 2026. NatureServe Explorer [web application]. NatureServe, Arlington, Virginia. Available https://explorer.natureserve.org. (Accessed: October 30, 2026). Licensed under CC BY 4.0; SpeciesFacts selected and summarized it.

Photo: Dominic Nelson, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.