Squirrels in New Jersey: where to look and what signs to watch for

Squirrels are found throughout the state, but your best odds are in mixed hardwood forests with plenty of oak, hickory, and beech trees. The eastern gray squirrel dominates most areas, while red squirrels prefer coniferous forests in the northern highlands. Common spots include the New Jersey Pine Barrens, the Watchung Reservation, the Palisades Interstate Park, and suburban parks with large shade trees. You'll also find squirrels in residential areas with mature trees, making them accessible even near urban centers. In spring and summer, they range widely to exploit new food sources. Fall and early winter see them concentrated near nut-producing trees as they prepare food caches.

Squirrels are most active during early morning and late afternoon, especially in fall when they're caching acorns for winter. In summer, they often rest during midday heat to conserve energy, becoming more active as temperatures drop in evening. Winter activity peaks around midday on sunny days when they venture out to search for cached nuts. Overcast days can bring activity throughout the day. If you're visiting parks in New Jersey, plan your trip for dawn or dusk for the highest success rate. Weather matters too: after rain, squirrels are more active as they search for washed-down seeds and insects.

Squirrel tracks show four toes on the front feet and five on the back, with a bounding pattern about 2 to 3 feet apart. Look for gnawed nuts with neat oval holes, stripped bark on tree branches, and leafy nests called dreys high in forks of trees. Chewed pine cones with a central core left behind are a sure sign of red squirrels. Fresh scratch marks on bark indicate recent climbing. In winter, squirrel tracks in snow are easy to spot and lead to food sources. You may also see middens, which are piles of cone scales and nut debris beneath trees where squirrels have been feeding. See our state animal guide for the next step.

Eastern gray squirrels are larger, 17 to 20 inches including tail, with grayish fur and a distinctive white belly. They have large ears without tufts. Red squirrels are smaller, 11 to 14 inches, with reddish-brown fur and often have white eye rings and ear tufts that are more pronounced in winter. Gray squirrels are common statewide in parks and residential areas. Red squirrels are mostly in the northern forests of the Highlands and the Pine Barrens, preferring evergreen and mixed forests. If you see a small, reddish squirrel with ear tufts in New Jersey, it's almost certainly a red squirrel. For more detail, see our squirrel identification guide.

Focus on areas with a mix of mature oaks, hickories, and nut-producing trees. In the Pine Barrens, look along edges of pine-oak forests where the two forest types meet, as squirrels exploit the diverse food availability. In the Highlands, check hemlock and spruce stands for red squirrels, especially near boulder fields and rocky outcrops. Suburban parks with old growth trees are reliable for gray squirrels. Walk slowly and scan the ground for movement and the canopy for leaf nests. Edges between forest types and open areas are particularly productive, as squirrels move between them to forage. During acorn season (September through November), focus on the densest oak concentrations.