Tennessee’s mixed forests provide ideal habitat for both the eastern gray squirrel and the larger fox squirrel. If you’ve ever watched a squirrel dart across a power line or scold you from a tree branch, you’ve probably wondered about the Common Types Of Squirrels In Tennessee. These bushy-tailed rodents are everywhere in the state, from city parks to deep woods. Knowing which species you’re seeing can help you understand their behavior and even how to manage them around your home.
Tennessee is home to several squirrel species, each with unique traits and habits. The most common ones you’ll encounter are the eastern gray squirrel, the fox squirrel, the southern flying squirrel, and the red squirrel. Some species are more urban, while others stick to remote forests. This guide breaks down each type so you can identify them easily.
Common Types Of Squirrels In Tennessee
Let’s start with the species you’re most likely to spot. The eastern gray squirrel is the classic backyard squirrel. It’s medium-sized, with a gray body and a white belly. Its tail is fluffy and often held over its back. You’ll see them in neighborhoods, parks, and woodlands across the state.
The fox squirrel is larger and more colorful. It can be gray, brown, or even reddish-orange. Fox squirrels prefer open woodlands with big trees like oaks and hickories. They’re less common in dense cities but thrive in rural areas.
Southern flying squirrels are nocturnal and much smaller. They have a membrane between their front and back legs that lets them glide between trees. You rarely see them during the day, but you might hear their soft chirps at night.
Red squirrels are smaller than gray squirrels and have a reddish coat. They’re more aggressive and territorial. In Tennessee, they’re mostly found in the eastern part of the state, especially in conifer forests.
Eastern Gray Squirrel
The eastern gray squirrel is the most widespread squirrel in Tennessee. It adapts well to human environments. You’ll find it in backyards, parks, and even college campuses. Its diet includes acorns, nuts, seeds, fruits, and bird eggs.
- Size: 9–12 inches long, plus a 7–10 inch tail
- Weight: 12–20 ounces
- Color: Gray with white belly, sometimes black variations
- Habitat: Deciduous and mixed forests, urban areas
- Behavior: Active during the day, stores food in caches
Gray squirrels are known for their bushy tails and quick movements. They communicate with chirps and tail flicks. They build leaf nests called dreys high in trees. In winter, they may use tree cavities for warmth.
One interesting fact: gray squirrels can remember where they buried thousands of nuts. They use spatial memory and smell to find their caches. This helps forests grow because forgotten nuts sprout into new trees.
Fox Squirrel
Fox squirrels are the largest tree squirrels in Tennessee. They can be twice the weight of gray squirrels. Their fur color varies widely, from gray to brown to orange. Some have a reddish tint, which gives them their name.
- Size: 10–15 inches long, tail 8–13 inches
- Weight: 1–2.5 pounds
- Color: Gray, brown, orange, or mixed
- Habitat: Open woodlands, forest edges, farmlands
- Behavior: Ground foraging, less agile than gray squirrels
Fox squirrels prefer areas with large nut-producing trees like oaks, hickories, and walnuts. They spend more time on the ground than gray squirrels. Their tails are less fluffy and more narrow. You might see them in rural areas or along field edges.
These squirrels are solitary and territorial. They don’t form large groups like gray squirrels sometimes do. They also have a slower, more deliberate movement. If you see a big, slow squirrel with a reddish tail, it’s likely a fox squirrel.
Southern Flying Squirrel
Southern flying squirrels are tiny and nocturnal. They have large eyes for night vision. Their most distinctive feature is the patagium, a furry membrane that stretches from wrist to ankle. This allows them to glide up to 150 feet between trees.
- Size: 5–6 inches long, tail 3–5 inches
- Weight: 2–3 ounces
- Color: Grayish-brown with white belly
- Habitat: Mature forests with dead trees for nesting
- Behavior: Nocturnal, glides, lives in small groups
Flying squirrels are common but rarely seen because they’re active at night. They nest in tree cavities or old woodpecker holes. They eat nuts, seeds, insects, and fungi. In winter, they may share nests to stay warm.
If you want to spot one, set up a bird feeder with sunflower seeds near a wooded area. Check it after dark with a red flashlight. You might see their glowing eyes or hear their soft squeaks.
Red Squirrel
Red squirrels are smaller and more aggressive than gray squirrels. They have a reddish-brown coat and a white belly. Their tails are less bushy. They’re also known as pine squirrels because they love conifer forests.
- Size: 7–8 inches long, tail 4–6 inches
- Weight: 5–9 ounces
- Color: Reddish-brown with white belly
- Habitat: Coniferous and mixed forests, especially in eastern Tennessee
- Behavior: Territorial, loud vocalizations, hoards cones
Red squirrels are loud and feisty. They’ll chase away larger squirrels from their territory. They eat pine seeds, acorns, berries, and bird eggs. They also store green pine cones in piles called middens.
In Tennessee, red squirrels are mostly found in the Appalachian Mountains. They prefer areas with spruce, fir, or pine trees. If you hike in the Smoky Mountains, you might hear their chattering calls.
Other Squirrel Species In Tennessee
Besides the main four, Tennessee has a few less common squirrel species. The northern flying squirrel lives in high-elevation forests in the eastern part of the state. It’s similar to the southern flying squirrel but larger and prefers cooler climates.
Ground squirrels are rare in Tennessee. The thirteen-lined ground squirrel is found in some grassy areas, but it’s not widespread. Woodchucks, also called groundhogs, are actually large ground squirrels. They live in fields and along roadsides.
Tree squirrels dominate the state. You won’t see many ground-dwelling species except in specific habitats. Most squirrels you encounter will be gray, fox, or flying squirrels.
How To Identify Squirrels In Tennessee
Identifying squirrels is easier when you know what to look for. Start with size and color. Gray squirrels are medium with gray fur. Fox squirrels are larger and more colorful. Red squirrels are small and reddish. Flying squirrels are tiny and nocturnal.
- Check the size: Is it small (red), medium (gray), or large (fox)?
- Look at the tail: Fluffy and bushy (gray), narrow (fox), or flat (flying)?
- Observe behavior: Active day (gray, fox, red) or night (flying)?
- Note the habitat: Urban (gray), open woods (fox), conifers (red), mature forest (flying)?
- Listen for sounds: Gray squirrels make chirps, red squirrels chatter loudly.
Use these steps to ID any squirrel you see. With practice, you’ll quickly tell them apart. Remember that gray squirrels can have black fur in some areas. This is a color morph, not a different species.
Where To Find Each Species
Gray squirrels are everywhere in Tennessee. They’re in cities, suburbs, and forests. Fox squirrels prefer open woodlands with big trees. Look for them in state parks like Natchez Trace or Reelfoot Lake.
Red squirrels are mostly in the eastern mountains. Great Smoky Mountains National Park is a good spot. Southern flying squirrels are widespread but hard to see. Try looking near bird feeders at night in wooded areas.
Northern flying squirrels are only at high elevations. They’re found in the Smokies above 3,000 feet. These are less common and protected in some areas.
Squirrel Behavior And Ecology
Squirrels play a key role in Tennessee’s forests. They spread seeds and help trees grow. Their caches of nuts and acorns often get forgotten, leading to new seedlings. They also serve as prey for hawks, owls, snakes, and foxes.
Squirrels are active year-round. They don’t hibernate but may stay in their nests during bad weather. In winter, they rely on stored food. They have two breeding seasons: late winter and mid-summer. Litters range from 2 to 6 babies.
Their nests are called dreys. These are made of leaves and twigs, usually in tree forks. They also use tree cavities, especially in winter. Flying squirrels prefer cavities over dreys.
Squirrels In Urban Areas
Gray squirrels are the main urban species. They thrive in cities because of abundant food and fewer predators. They’ll raid bird feeders, gardens, and trash cans. Some people consider them pests, but they’re generally harmless.
To manage squirrels around your home, use squirrel-proof bird feeders. Seal gaps in your attic or shed. Trim tree branches that touch your roof. Avoid leaving pet food outside. These steps reduce conflicts.
Fox squirrels are less common in cities but may visit large yards. Red squirrels are rare in urban areas. Flying squirrels might live in older neighborhoods with big trees.
Conservation Status
Most squirrel species in Tennessee are stable. Gray and fox squirrels are abundant. Red squirrels are common in their range. Southern flying squirrels are also common but understudied.
The northern flying squirrel is a species of concern. Its habitat is limited to high elevations. Climate change and habitat loss threaten it. Conservation efforts focus on protecting mature forests in the Appalachians.
Hunting is regulated for gray and fox squirrels. They’re popular game animals. Seasons and bag limits help maintain healthy populations. Always check Tennessee wildlife regulations before hunting.
Fun Facts About Tennessee Squirrels
- Gray squirrels can run up to 20 miles per hour on the ground.
- Flying squirrels don’t actually fly; they glide using their skin flaps.
- Fox squirrels have been known to eat insects and bird eggs.
- Red squirrels are so territorial they’ll chase off birds and other mammals.
- A group of squirrels is called a scurry or dray.
These facts make squirrels fascinating to watch. They’re clever, adaptable, and full of energy. Next time you see one, take a moment to observe its behavior.
How To Attract Or Deter Squirrels
If you want to attract squirrels, offer food like sunflower seeds, peanuts, or corn. Place feeders in safe locations away from predators. Provide water sources. Plant oak, hickory, or walnut trees for natural food.
If you want to deter them, use baffles on bird feeders. Remove fallen nuts and seeds. Seal entry points to buildings. Use repellents like cayenne pepper or commercial sprays. Motion-activated sprinklers can also work.
Remember that squirrels are protected wildlife. You can’t harm them without a permit. Focus on non-lethal methods for management.
Common Questions About Squirrels In Tennessee
Here are answers to frequent questions about Tennessee squirrels.
What is the most common squirrel in Tennessee?
The eastern gray squirrel is the most common. It lives in every county and adapts to urban and rural areas.
Are there black squirrels in Tennessee?
Yes, black squirrels are a color morph of the eastern gray squirrel. They’re more common in some areas, like Knoxville and Nashville.
Do flying squirrels live in Tennessee?
Yes, both southern and northern flying squirrels live in Tennessee. Southern flying squirrels are widespread, while northern ones are only in high mountains.
Can you keep a squirrel as a pet in Tennessee?
No, it’s illegal to keep native squirrels as pets without a permit. They’re wild animals and need specialized care.
What do Tennessee squirrels eat?
They eat nuts, acorns, seeds, fruits, fungi, insects, and bird eggs. Their diet varies by season and availability.
Final Thoughts On Tennessee Squirrels
Tennessee is a great place for squirrel watching. With four main species, you’ll always have something to observe. Whether you’re in a city park or a mountain trail, keep an eye out for these energetic creatures.
Understanding the Common Types Of Squirrels In Tennessee helps you appreciate their role in nature. They’re not just pests; they’re vital to forest health. Next time you see one, you’ll know exactly which species it is.
Remember to enjoy them from a distance. Don’t feed them by hand, as they can carry diseases. Use binoculars for a closer look. And always respect their wild nature.