{"id":701,"date":"2021-03-31T16:24:44","date_gmt":"2021-03-31T16:24:44","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.animalcapturewildlifecontrol.com\/blog\/?p=701"},"modified":"2022-07-13T07:11:27","modified_gmt":"2022-07-13T07:11:27","slug":"what-types-of-squirrels-are-in-california","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.animalcapturewildlifecontrol.com\/blog\/what-types-of-squirrels-are-in-california\/","title":{"rendered":"What Types of Squirrels Are in California?"},"content":{"rendered":"

They are cute and fluffy, but they\u2019re one of the most common pests in California. Yes, we\u2019re talking about squirrels.<\/p>\n

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What is a squirrel? Squirrels are small furry mammals<\/a> that belong to the family Sciuridae, which is part of the rodent order. The squirrel family has over 273 species, but only a few are native to California.<\/p>\n

One of the biggest challenges with squirrels is that they can be quite destructive. From fruit trees to plastic containers or piping, squirrels will gnaw at anything, leaving a path of destruction behind them. Another reason not to get too close to squirrels is they carry fleas that can transmit bacteria, which cause diseases.<\/p>\n

5 Types of Squirrels in California<\/h2>\n

There are five types of squirrel species that are native to California. The types you\u2019ll encounter are largely dependent on where you live. So let\u2019s meet the types of squirrels in California.<\/p>\n

1.\u00a0\u00a0 Native Western Gray Squirrels<\/h3>\n

The native western gray squirrel is a tree squirrel that can be found in most parts of California. It can be distinguished by the predominant gray color of the fur on its sides and back and distinct white underparts. It also has prominent ears. Western gray squirrels are distinguished from their eastern gray counterparts and other squirrel species by their long gray bushy tails with white-frosted outer edges.<\/p>\n

Depending on location, the western gray squirrel also goes by other names like Silver-Gray Squirrel, California Gray Squirrel, Oregon Gray Squirrel, Columbian Gray Squirrel, or the Banner-Tail.<\/p>\n

Because they\u2019re a shy species, western gray squirrels are more common in the oak woodlands of the foothills and valleys and pine and oak forests. However, it\u2019s not uncommon to encounter them in built-up areas, as they\u2019re losing their natural habitat to fires and urbanization.<\/p>\n

2.\u00a0\u00a0 Eastern Gray Squirrels<\/h3>\n

Introduced to California from the eastern parts of the United States\u2014hence, the name\u2014eastern gray squirrels can vary in color. While not native to California, this invasive species is a problem, as it can easily out-compete and displace the natives.<\/p>\n

Although most have gray coats, some can have a\u00a0 reddish tint. The eastern gray squirrel is medium-sized, has a relatively narrow tail, and features shorter ears than the western gray squirrel.<\/p>\n

Eastern gray squirrels are more aggressive than their western cousins. Unlike western gray squirrels that are shy, eastern gray squirrels are bold enough to take over your backyard. Because one of their favorite foods is sunflower seeds, they love patronizing bird feeders. Eastern gray squirrels are among the most destructive squirrel types and must be controlled before they overrun your yard.<\/p>\n

3.\u00a0\u00a0 Eastern Fox Squirrels<\/h3>\n

Like eastern gray squirrels, the eastern fox squirrel was also introduced from the eastern part of the United States. They have established themselves well in California\u2019s most major cities and are the largest tree squirrels in California. Eastern fox squirrels have many variations of coat colors, but they can be identified by:<\/p>\n