Where’s Wildlife · Mammal Field Guide
Sciurus carolinensis · black color form
Pronounced (approx.): SKY-ur-us kair-oh-lin-EN-sis
A dark color form that brings a different look to a familiar tree squirrel.
Black Squirrel. Select the image to browse all 5 photographs.
NATIVE TO NORTH AMERICA
Dark brown to black fur
Bushy, furred tail
Tree-squirrel body shape
Compare views, markings and body shapes in the photographs below.
Black squirrels are not a separate species. This page features the melanistic color form of the Eastern Gray Squirrel: increased dark pigment produces a brown-black or black coat instead of the usual gray appearance.
Color alone cannot identify the species. Fox Squirrels can also be black. Body size, proportions, location and other features matter, especially where both species occur. A dark squirrel may show brown highlights in strong sunlight.
Like other Eastern Gray Squirrels, these animals use wooded habitats, parks and neighborhoods with mature trees. They eat nuts, seeds, fruits and other available foods, burying some items for later use. They remain active in winter rather than hibernating.
Tree cavities and leafy nests provide shelter. Females care for the young, which are born helpless and develop in the nest before venturing out. The dark coat does not make the animal a different kind of squirrel with a separate life history.
Melanism describes increased dark pigmentation.
Gray and black Eastern Gray Squirrels belong to one species.
Black coats also occur in Fox Squirrels.
Use the Eastern Gray Squirrel’s range as the starting point for this page. Black individuals are more frequent in some populations than others, so a species range map does not show exactly where the black form will occur.
Explore reported sightings on iNaturalist. Observation records are not a complete range map. This map covers Eastern Gray Squirrels of all coat colors.
Explore a related illustrated nature poster from the Where’s Wildlife store.
