New Jersey’s Pine Barrens provide a unique home for the southern flying squirrel and the eastern chipmunk. If you have ever wondered about the common types of squirrels in new jersey, you are in the right place. This guide covers every squirrel species you might spot in your backyard or on a hike.
New Jersey is packed with diverse habitats. From coastal dunes to dense forests, squirrels have adapted well. You will learn to identify each species by size, color, and behavior.
Let’s start with the most familiar face.
Eastern Gray Squirrel
The eastern gray squirrel is the most widespread squirrel in New Jersey. You see them in parks, suburbs, and cities. They are medium-sized with gray fur and a bushy tail.
These squirrels are active year-round. They do not hibernate. Instead, they store food in caches.
Key Identification Features
- Gray body with white belly
- Tail is long and fluffy
- Ears are small and rounded
- Eyes are dark and alert
Where To Find Them
Eastern grays live in hardwood forests. They also thrive in oak and hickory trees. You will find them in every county of New Jersey.
Behavior And Diet
They eat acorns, nuts, seeds, and berries. Sometimes they raid bird feeders. They are known for their chattering calls.
These squirrels build leaf nests called dreys. They also use tree cavities for shelter.
Common Types Of Squirrels In New Jersey
Now we get to the main list. New Jersey has five main squirrel species. Each one has a unique role in the ecosystem.
Eastern Fox Squirrel
The eastern fox squirrel is the largest tree squirrel in the state. It has a reddish-brown body and a very bushy tail. Its face looks more robust than the gray squirrel.
Identification Tips
- Body length up to 20 inches
- Tail is thick and often tipped with white
- Belly is usually orange or rusty
- Ears are larger than gray squirrels
Habitat Preferences
Fox squirrels prefer open woodlands. They like pine forests and oak savannas. In New Jersey, they are more common in the southern part of the state.
Diet And Habits
They eat nuts, seeds, and fungi. They also eat insects and bird eggs. Fox squirrels are less common than grays but still widespread.
Red Squirrel
Red squirrels are smaller and more aggressive. They have reddish fur and a white belly. Their tail is not as bushy as gray squirrels.
How To Spot Them
- Small body, about 12 inches long
- Reddish coat with a white eye ring
- Tail is thin and flat
- Very vocal and territorial
Where They Live
Red squirrels prefer coniferous forests. They love pine and spruce trees. In New Jersey, they are found in the northern highlands and Pine Barrens.
Behavior Notes
They are known for storing cones in piles called middens. They defend their territory fiercely. You will hear their loud scolding calls.
Southern Flying Squirrel
This is the smallest tree squirrel in New Jersey. It is nocturnal and rarely seen. It has a flap of skin called a patagium that lets it glide.
Identification Features
- Body length only 8-10 inches
- Gray-brown fur with white belly
- Large, dark eyes for night vision
- Skin flaps between front and back legs
Habitat And Range
Southern flying squirrels live in mature forests. They need dead trees with cavities for nesting. They are common in the Pine Barrens and other wooded areas.
Diet And Lifestyle
They eat nuts, seeds, insects, and fungi. They are social and live in small groups. You might see them gliding between trees at dusk.
Eastern Chipmunk
Many people forget chipmunks are squirrels. They belong to the same family. Eastern chipmunks are small, striped ground squirrels.
How To Identify Them
- Small body, about 5-6 inches long
- Brown fur with five dark stripes
- White stripes above and below the eyes
- Short, less bushy tail
Where They Live
Chipmunks live in woodlands and gardens. They dig burrows underground. They are active during the day.
Behavior And Diet
They eat seeds, nuts, berries, and insects. They carry food in their cheek pouches. Chipmunks hibernate in winter but wake up occasionally.
Ground Squirrels In New Jersey
New Jersey has one true ground squirrel species. It is the thirteen-lined ground squirrel. However, it is rare and only found in a few areas.
Thirteen-Lined Ground Squirrel
This squirrel has a slender body with alternating stripes. It lives in open grasslands. It is not common in New Jersey.
Identification
- Body length about 7-10 inches
- Thirteen alternating dark and light stripes
- Short tail
- Small ears
Habitat
They prefer shortgrass prairies and fields. In New Jersey, they are found in a few locations in the northwestern part of the state.
Behavior
They are diurnal and hibernate in winter. They eat seeds, insects, and small animals. They are not as common as tree squirrels.
How To Identify Squirrels In Your Yard
You can tell squirrels apart by looking at a few key features. Size, color, and tail shape are the easiest clues.
Step-By-Step Identification Guide
- Check the size: Fox squirrels are largest. Red squirrels are smallest. Grays are medium.
- Look at the tail: Gray and fox squirrels have bushy tails. Red squirrels have thinner tails. Flying squirrels have flat tails.
- Notice the color: Grays are gray with white belly. Fox squirrels are reddish. Reds are reddish with white eye ring.
- Watch the behavior: Chipmunks run on the ground. Flying squirrels glide. Tree squirrels climb.
- Listen for sounds: Red squirrels are loud. Grays make chattering noises. Fox squirrels are quieter.
Common Mistakes In Identification
- Mistaking a young fox squirrel for a gray squirrel
- Thinking chipmunks are not squirrels
- Confusing flying squirrels with bats
- Assuming all small squirrels are red squirrels
Squirrel Habitats Across New Jersey
Different squirrels prefer different environments. Knowing the habitat helps you find them.
Northern New Jersey
This region has more forests and mountains. Red squirrels are common here. Gray squirrels are everywhere. Fox squirrels are less common.
Central New Jersey
Suburban areas have many gray squirrels. Parks and golf courses attract fox squirrels. Chipmunks are common in gardens.
Southern New Jersey And The Pine Barrens
The Pine Barrens are unique. Southern flying squirrels thrive here. Red squirrels also live in pine forests. Chipmunks are abundant.
Coastal Areas
Near the shore, you see gray squirrels mostly. Fox squirrels are rare. Chipmunks avoid sandy soils.
Squirrel Behavior And Ecology
Squirrels play important roles in the ecosystem. They spread seeds and fungi. They also serve as prey for hawks and owls.
Foraging And Food Storage
Tree squirrels scatter-hoard food. They bury nuts in many locations. This helps trees grow when forgotten.
Nesting And Shelter
Tree squirrels build dreys or use cavities. Ground squirrels dig burrows. Flying squirrels use tree holes.
Reproduction
Most squirrels breed twice a year. Litters are born in spring and late summer. Young squirrels leave the nest after 8-10 weeks.
Seasonal Activity
Gray and fox squirrels are active all winter. Red squirrels also stay active. Chipmunks and ground squirrels hibernate.
Tips For Attracting Squirrels To Your Yard
If you want to see more squirrels, provide food and shelter. But be careful not to overfeed them.
Best Foods To Offer
- Unsalted peanuts in the shell
- Sunflower seeds
- Corn on the cob
- Acorns and walnuts
- Fresh fruits like apples
Safe Feeding Practices
- Use a squirrel feeder to keep food dry
- Place feeders away from bird feeders
- Do not feed bread or processed foods
- Provide fresh water in a shallow dish
- Clean feeders regularly to prevent disease
Creating Habitat
Plant oak, hickory, and pine trees. Leave dead trees standing if safe. Provide brush piles for cover.
Common Squirrel Problems And Solutions
Squirrels can cause issues in gardens and attics. Here is how to handle them humanely.
Squirrels In The Attic
They enter through gaps in rooflines. Seal entry points with metal mesh. Use one-way doors to let them out.
Squirrels Raiding Bird Feeders
Use baffles on poles. Choose squirrel-proof feeders. Offer cayenne pepper in seeds to deter them.
Squirrels Digging In Gardens
Protect bulbs with wire mesh. Use repellents like predator urine. Plant daffodils which squirrels avoid.
Legal Considerations
In New Jersey, squirrels are protected. You cannot kill them without a permit. Always use humane methods.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Is The Most Common Squirrel In New Jersey?
The eastern gray squirrel is the most common. You see them in almost every neighborhood.
Are There Flying Squirrels In New Jersey?
Yes, the southern flying squirrel lives here. They are nocturnal and hard to spot.
Do Chipmunks Count As Squirrels?
Yes, chipmunks are ground squirrels. They belong to the same family Sciuridae.
Can You Keep A Squirrel As A Pet In New Jersey?
No, it is illegal to keep native squirrels as pets. They are wild animals.
What Is The Largest Squirrel Species In New Jersey?
The eastern fox squirrel is the largest. It can reach 20 inches in length.
Final Thoughts On Squirrel Watching
New Jersey offers great opportunities to see diverse squirrels. Each species has its own charm. Take time to observe them in your backyard or local park.
Remember to keep a safe distance. Do not feed them by hand. Enjoy their antics from a window or porch.
Knowing the common types of squirrels in new jersey makes your outdoor time more rewarding. You will appreciate the differences between a red squirrel and a fox squirrel.
Next time you see a bushy tail in the trees, you will know exactly who it is. Happy squirrel spotting!