Where’s Wildlife · Mammal Field Guide
Tamiasciurus hudsonicus
Pronounced (approx.): tam-ee-uh-SKY-ur-us hud-SON-ih-kus
A small, energetic tree squirrel often noticed first by its sharp, scolding calls.
Red Squirrel. Select the image to browse all 8 photographs.
NATIVE TO NORTH AMERICA
Small tree squirrel with reddish-brown upperparts
Pale belly and a noticeable white eye ring
Bushy tail and often a dark line along the side
Compare views, markings and body shapes in the photographs below.
Look for a reddish-brown back, pale belly and light ring around the eye. A dark border along the flank is often clearest in summer. The coat changes with season, so compare several photographs rather than expecting every animal to look equally red.
A Fox Squirrel is generally larger and often has orange underparts in the Midwest. The Red Squirrel’s pale belly and smaller build are useful distinctions. Compare our Fox Squirrel and Eastern Gray Squirrel guides, looking at proportions as well as color.
Red Squirrels use wooded habitats with food and shelter, including coniferous and mixed forests. Their diet includes seeds, nuts, fungi, buds and insects. Extra food may be tucked into tree crevices or stored in larger caches for later use.
These squirrels defend territories and communicate with conspicuous calls. They remain active in winter instead of hibernating. Females raise helpless young in a sheltered nest, which may be in a tree cavity or built from leaves and other plant material.
Scolding calls can draw attention to a squirrel hidden in branches.
Stored food helps support activity during cold weather.
The pale belly is a useful feature when comparing reddish squirrels.
Red Squirrels are native to a broad part of northern North America, with populations extending south in suitable forested regions. Local habitat and regional species boundaries matter; the name “red squirrel” is also used for a different species in Eurasia.
Explore reported sightings on iNaturalist. Observation records are not a complete range map.