• Key Information

  • Squirrels

  • Species
    285 species
  • Diet
    Herbivore
  • Length
    4 in to 4 ft 2 in
  • Weight
    0.4 oz to 18 lb
  • Lifespan
    5 to 10 years in wild, up to 20 years in captivity
  • Classification
    Mammalia > Rodentia > Sciuridae
  • Conservation Status
    Some species endangered, others not threatened
  • Habitat
    Often forests and woodlands, as well as almost every other habitat
  • Learning Point
  • Squirrels are a type of rodent, and vary both in size and habitat. Many squirrels prefer to live in trees (they are arboreal), while others prefer living on the ground.
  • Squirrels are native to the Americas, Europe and Asia, as well as Africa, but were brought to Australia by humans.
  • Project
  • Draw a squirrel running through the trees looking for nuts. Decide which type of squirrel you like the most.
  • Location
  • Places
    Every continent except Oceania and Antarctica (Map shows Red Squirrel locations)
  • Fun Facts
  • The word "squirrel" was first used in English in 1327, and cmoes from other languages which mean "shadow-tailed", the long bushy tail most squirrels have.
  • A group of squirrels is called a "dray" or a "scurry".
  • The smallest squirrels are the African pygmy squirrel and least pygmy squirrel which are about 3.9 in to 5.5 in long, and weigh around half an ounce.
  • Squirrels live in almost every habitat, from tropical rainforest to semiarid desert, avoiding only the high polar regions and the driest of deserts.
  • While most eating seeds and nuts, they will eat insects and sometimes other smaller animals.
  • Squirrels have excellent eyesight, as well as a good sense of touch. Both are important for animals that live in trees.
  • Tree squirrels are able to climb down a tree head first because they rotate their hind feet backwards to grip the bark better.