Squirrels in Hawaii: Where to Look and What Signs to Watch For

No. Hawaii has no wild squirrel populations. Unlike the mainland, squirrels never colonized the islands naturally, and none have successfully established in the wild despite occasional escapes from private collections or zoo displays. The state's strict animal importation laws prevent commercial breeding or deliberate releases. The only reliable way to see a squirrel in Hawaii is to visit the Honolulu Zoo, which maintains a small mammal collection that may include tree squirrels depending on current exhibits. Some island residents keep pet squirrels illegally, but these are rare and do not form wild populations. For authentic Hawaiian wildlife, visit our wildlife hub for Hawaii to learn about the unique native species that actually inhabit the islands.

This question is moot for wild squirrels since none exist in Hawaii. However, if you visit the Honolulu Zoo to see squirrels, most active periods occur mid-morning when feeding happens. Zoo staff typically provide feeding demonstrations and educational talks during peak visitor hours, usually between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. If you are interested in the daytime animals of Hawaii, the introduced small Indian mongoose is highly active in early morning and late afternoon, especially in open fields and around human settlements.

Squirrel tracks show four toes on front feet and five on hind feet, with a distinctive bounding pattern where hind feet land ahead of front feet. Tail drags are rarely visible. In Hawaii, you will never find these tracks in the wild because no squirrels exist outside captivity. If you find small mammal tracks in Hawaiian forests or grasslands, they belong to the small Indian mongoose, which has five toes on all feet and often leaves a faint tail drag mark. Mongoose burrows are small and circular, often found in grassy areas near roads. For detailed identification guidance, visit our squirrel animal page to compare worldwide squirrel anatomy and signs with mongoose characteristics.

The small Indian mongoose (Herpestes auropunctatus) was deliberately introduced to Hawaii in the 1880s to control rat populations in sugarcane plantations. This introduced predator has become a dominant mammal across the Hawaiian islands. Mongooses are now widespread on all main islands except Kauai, where they have not established. They are highly active during daylight hours, often seen crossing roads, hunting in open fields, and foraging near human settlements. Mongooses resemble a slender squirrel in size and body shape but have a pointed snout, rounded ears, and a long tail with a dark tip. Unlike squirrels, they have five toes on all feet and are much more aggressive hunters, preying on birds, eggs, reptiles, and insects.

Mongooses and squirrels look superficially similar in size and movement, but several features separate them. Mongooses have a pointed, dog-like snout, while squirrels have a blunt, rounded face. Mongoose ears are small and rounded, sitting close to the head, whereas squirrels have large, upright ears. Tail appearance differs greatly: mongoose tails are long, thin, and uniform in color, often with a dark tip; squirrel tails are bushy, full, and feathered. Mongooses move with a low, darting gait when hunting, while squirrels bound and climb vertically. Mongooses are always diurnal but less active in mid-day heat, whereas squirrels are crepuscular (most active at dawn and dusk). Mongooses leave five-toed prints; squirrels leave four-toed front and five-toed hind prints in a distinctive bounding pattern.