Squirrels in North Carolina: Where to Look and What Signs to Watch For

1. Where are squirrels most common in North Carolina?

Eastern gray squirrels are everywhere from the coast to the mountains. Fox squirrels prefer the Piedmont and coastal plains, especially open pine forests. Start in state parks like Umstead or William B. Umstead State Park, or any neighborhood with mature hardwood trees. For a wider look, check our North Carolina wildlife hub.

In North Carolina, squirrels sightings usually improve when you slow down and match your first stop to where the animal is most likely in the state. Use the state wildlife hub and the route guide to narrow your first area, then check access, weather, and distance before you settle in. A short walk with one clear viewing plan often beats covering too much ground, especially when habitat changes fast from open edges to brush, wetlands, timber, shoreline, or neighborhood cover.

2. What time of day is best for seeing squirrels?

Squirrels are most active just after sunrise and a few hours before sunset. In summer, they often take a midday rest. For the best odds, plan your walk around 7–9 a.m. or 4–6 p.m. You'll see them foraging, chasing, or storing food. Learn more about their daily habits on the squirrel animal page.

3. How can I identify squirrels by tracks and signs?

Look for four-toed front tracks and five-toed hind tracks, often bound together. Squirrel droppings are small, round pellets. Chewed nutshells and stripped pine cones are clear feeding signs. Listen for rustling leaves and barking calls. These clues help you spot squirrels even when they stay hidden.

See our state animal guide for the next step.

4. What do squirrels eat and where do they hide food?

Acorns, hickory nuts, walnuts, and seeds are top favorites. Squirrels also eat buds, berries, and occasional insects. They bury individual caches across their home range. In fall, you'll see them frantically gathering and digging. Check under oak trees and along fence lines for telltale digging marks.

5. Which types of squirrels live in North Carolina?

The eastern gray squirrel is the most common. The larger fox squirrel lives in the Piedmont and coastal plain. Southern flying squirrels are nocturnal and harder to see. In the mountains, the northern flying squirrel appears at higher elevations. Each has distinct size and color patterns. Look for gray bodies with white bellies (gray squirrel) or reddish-brown fur (fox squirrel).