Squirrels are the unexpectedly diverse rodents you can find in the forests and deserts. With
their padded feet and bushy tails acting as parachutes, these furry fellows can jump as high as 6
meters in the sky. Just because of their attractive traits and habits, people never stop talking
about them!
A squirrel has made space in everyone’s heart worldwide. While some people may
think of them as pests, the majority can’t deny how cute they are! When you think of squirrels,
the one thing that comes to mind is them munching on a handful of peanuts! You may find tons
of their species living in one place, and in the other, you may see just one!
While you may be wondering if you can find these squishy animals in California, stick to your seats since you will be blown away with the information coming your way!
About California:
California is one of the states you can find on the western side of the USA. It is a hub of
beaches, mountains, deserts, farmlands, and forests. It is the most diverse state in America,
where you can find more than 300,000 species of animals and plants.
The redwood forest of California spreads on a thousand acres of land and is home to many mammals. Not only this, California’s pacific coast provides life to tons of marine animals. With such a diverse nature, California must have squirrels too!
Are there squirrels in California?
Squirrels have found their homes all over the world. You may not see them in Antarctica and
Australia, but except for that, I am sure that these animals have made their homes in all parts of
the world and our hearts too! Every individual lives differently and has its living patterns.
Are there squirrels in California? the answer of this question reveals, You may find hundreds of species of them across the USA, but in California, To find out about the squirrels of California, keep reading the article below!
Table of Contents
What are the types of squirrels in California?
Living in California, you may see several types of squirrels in your vicinity. The following types of
squirrels are found living in California:
Eastern Gray squirrels:
As the name indicates, these furry friends can be found on the eastern sides of the state. These are mainly in gray and can live up to 6 years. Their lifespan can go as long as 12 years if they are kept captive. They keep gathering food throughout the year and store it under the ground for later use. These like munching on acorns, seeds, and nuts. They like living in the deciduous trees of California. You will mainly find them on trees that are rich in nuts. These prefer living in urban and suburban areas near human populations. Eastern gray squirrels have imposed a threat on the native squirrels of California.
Fox squirrels:
These are the types of squirrels that look like a fox. They have heavy bushy tails,
just like a fox. They mostly have a ginger brownish shade. The thing that differentiates them from the red squirrels is their heavy tail!
These live around eight years in the wild, but their lifespan can go as long as 17 years when kept in captivity. These are not native to California and instead were introduced there. This has led to the downfall of native squirrels. They mostly stay on the ground but are excellent climbers as well!
Western Gray squirrels:
These are found in the western regions of California. Their population has
drastically fallen in the last years. They have a grayish silver thick coat and white bellies.
These were native squirrels in California, but now their population is limited in the state.
While people may confuse them with eastern gray squirrels, these can be differentiated
by their dark gray fur and shy personality.
Douglas squirrels:
These squirrels occupy significantly fewer parts of California. They are not widespread
like other species. In summers, their coat looks brown, but in winter, the
skin becomes dense, and they look grayish brown. These don’t like living with other
species of, so you may not see them in other specie’s territory.
They enjoy eating nuts, berries, seeds, plants, and bird’s eggs. Interestingly, these furry fellows
accumulate their food in the same area. Since all the squirrels are hoarders, their hoarded food may become a giant pile!
Flying Squirrels:
These are nocturnal, which means they are active at night and sleep during the daytime. This way, many people are not aware of them! These squirrels don’t fly; they glide. They have thin skin attached from their wrists to toes.
This way, their body acts like a parachute when they glide from one tree to another. In the state of California, you will see Humboldt squirrels. These are smaller in size and have a darker
tone.
Ground Squirrels:
These squirrels are also known as Beechey squirrels. Ground squirrels in California have
a mixture of gray and brown fur on their bodies. These are interesting because
they may store their food on the side of their cheeks to eat later! They love chewing on
seeds, plants, nuts, and fruits.
Why are western gray squirrels declining in California?
The introduction of eastern gray and fox squirrels has caused the downfall of native
western gray squirrels throughout the state of California.
- Since introducing these squirrels, they have multiplied in number and invaded the areas
excessively. This has led to food competition, causing western gray squirrels’ death. - These can’t leave their habitats. They like living in their native forests, but these forests have declined due to human deforestation, wildfires, and diseases. Since the area of forests has reduced, these squirrels have excessively died
over the years.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Is it illegal to kill or hunt squirrels in California?
Killing or hunting squirrels in California with poison or other baits is illegal. Though these little critters are very adorable, they can also create havoc in homes and yards. The only humane way to control them is to call a wildlife service provider. They use multiple methods like cages or traps to catch squirrels and release them back into the wild.
Are fox squirrels invading lands in California?
Yes, fox squirrels have been multiplying at an exponential rate. They are not a native of California and had been introduced there back in the 1900s. Since then, they have invaded the areas at a miraculous rate. Their increasing populations have also imposed threats on the native squirrels of California.
How can we make squirrels run away from the yard?
Squirrels can cause a nuisance in the backyards of your houses. You can call the wildlife management authorities to remove the squirrels from your area. The best way is to stop feeding them; they will find other places to move to.
Can squirrels in California cause damage to human property?
Squirrels can cause vast amounts of damage to homes and yards. On the outside, they can create burrows, and excessive digging can lead to crop loss. They mess up with the lawns.
The food that they store under the ground may lead to unnecessary planting. On the inside of houses, they chew on cables and wires. They close the venting system causing fire hazards. Above all, these chatterboxes create so much noise that disturbs the mental peace!
