Squirrels in Alabama: where to look and what signs to watch for
Yes, squirrels are common throughout Alabama. The eastern gray squirrel and fox squirrel are the two main species found statewide, with a smaller population of southern flying squirrels in forested regions. You'll spot them in forests, parks, and suburban backyards across the state. Gray squirrels dominate mixed hardwood areas and oak groves, while fox squirrels favor open pine forests, edges, and parklands. Start at state parks like Oak Mountain State Park near Birmingham, Bankhead National Forest in northwest Alabama, Talladega National Forest in central Alabama, or Sipsey Swamp in the Black Belt for the best odds. The key is timing your visit to early morning or late afternoon on mild, calm days when squirrels are most active. Squirrels remain active year-round, though they're more visible during spring and fall feeding and mating seasons.
By Tim, founder of Easy Street Markets. I maintain the wildlife database and verify every animal and source myself. Updated July 2, 2026.
- 5
- species recorded
- April, March, October
- peak months
Real sighting data, source iNaturalist
7,593 verified observations on iNaturalist of squirrel have been recorded in Alabama, most often in April, March, October.
When squirrel are recorded in Alabama
Yes, squirrels are common throughout Alabama. The eastern gray squirrel and fox squirrel are the two main species found statewide, with a smaller population of southern flying squirrels in forested regions. You'll spot them in forests, parks, and suburban backyards across the state. Gray squirrels dominate mixed hardwood areas and oak groves, while fox squirrels favor open pine forests, edges, and parklands. Start at state parks like Oak Mountain State Park near Birmingham, Bankhead National Forest in northwest Alabama, Talladega National Forest in central Alabama, or Sipsey Swamp in the Black Belt for the best odds. The key is timing your visit to early morning or late afternoon on mild, calm days when squirrels are most active. Squirrels remain active year-round, though they're more visible during spring and fall feeding and mating seasons.
Where are squirrels most likely to be found in Alabama?
Eastern gray squirrels prefer dense hardwood forests and mixed woodlands dominated by oak, hickory, and walnut trees. Fox squirrels favor open pine forests, pine-oak edges, and parkland with scattered large trees and open understory. Both species thrive in suburban neighborhoods, city parks, and gardens where food is plentiful.
Top spots include: - Oak Mountain State Park (near Birmingham): 9,940 acres with hardwood and pine forest - Bankhead National Forest (northwest Alabama): 180,000 acres spanning Franklin and Marion counties - Talladega National Forest (central Alabama): 392,000 acres with mixed hardwood habitat - Sipsey Swamp (Black Belt): bottomland hardwood forest with excellent squirrel populations - Talladega College campus and surrounding woodlands
For more on the state's best wildlife areas, check out ourAlabama wildlife guide.
In Alabama, squirrel sightings usually improve when you slow down and match your first stop to where the animal is most likely in the state. Use thestate wildlife huband theroute guideto 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.
What is the best time of day to see squirrels in Alabama?
Squirrels are most active early in the morning (dawn to mid-morning, roughly 6 to 9 AM) and late in the afternoon (3 to 6 PM), especially on calm days. During these windows, they forage openly on the ground and in trees. Activity drops during midday heat, particularly in summer, when squirrels rest in tree canopy shade. Overcast days and cooler temperatures generally increase visibility compared to bright, hot afternoons.
Squirrels are active year-round but may be less visible during heavy rain, extreme cold, or strong wind. They are active in all seasons: spring (breeding and feeding), summer (raising young), fall (intensive nut caching), and winter (retrieving cached nuts on mild days).
For a complete overview of squirrel behavior, visit oursquirrel species hub.
Most misses happen when people arrive at the wrong hour or expect nonstop activity. Build around time-of-day or seasonal behavior, keep one backup area in mind, and use theanimal facts pageplustour planning ideasto compare what a realistic outing looks like in Alabama. If movement slows, stay longer at one promising spot, listen for calls or watch for edge movement, and reset around weather, light, water, or feeding changes instead of jumping to a totally new area too early.
What signs indicate squirrel activity in Alabama?
Look for leaf nests (dreys) high in tree forks, built from twigs, bark, and leaves. They often resemble large bird nests but are more densely constructed. Chewed nuts, pine cones, and nutshell fragments on the ground signal recent feeding. Stripped bark at the base of trees (usually hickory or walnut) indicates gnawing and stripping for inner bark, particularly in winter. Dig holes in soft soil or leaf litter mark nut-caching sites. Scat (droppings) appear as small, dark pellets often found near feeding areas. Tracks show four toes on front feet and five on back, with a distinctive bounding pattern where front prints cluster ahead of hind prints.
If you spot similar clues from other mammals, ourdeer tracking guidemay help you compare.
See ourstate animal guidefor the next step.
How do squirrel behaviors change with seasons in Alabama?
Spring (March-May) is peak activity for mating and early food seeking after winter. Females give birth to litters in late March or April, and young squirrels emerge from nests by May. Fall (September-November) sees intense nut caching as squirrels gather and bury acorns, hickory nuts, and walnuts for winter storage. This frantic activity makes fall one of the best times to spot squirrels in Alabama.
Summer (June-August) brings reduced midday activity due to heat; squirrels rest in trees and emerge in early morning or late afternoon. Young squirrels become independent by late summer. Winter (December-February) prompts heavy reliance on cached nuts, but squirrels remain active on mild days and can be spotted traveling between cache sites. Severe cold or snow may confine them to nests for days.
For comparison with another common Alabama mammal, see ourbats in Alabama overview.
How do fox squirrels and eastern gray squirrels differ in Alabama?
Eastern gray squirrels and fox squirrels overlap in Alabama but prefer different habitats and have distinct behaviors. Eastern gray squirrels are smaller (8-10 inches body length, 7-13 ounces), with gray fur, white underside, and a bushy tail. They prefer dense hardwood forests, oak groves, and wooded suburbs. Fox squirrels are larger (11-14 inches body length, 17-29 ounces) with reddish-brown or grizzled fur, often with black and rust coloring on the head and back. They favor open pine forests, oak-pine edges, and parkland with scattered trees and shorter understory.
Behaviorally, gray squirrels are more social and nest together; fox squirrels are more solitary. Gray squirrels make high-pitched "kuk-kuk-kuk" calls and are more vocal overall. Fox squirrels are quieter and often perch high on branches or at the crown of tall pines. Both species cache nuts intensively, but fox squirrels tend to bury larger quantities. In Alabama's mixed oak-pine landscape, you're likely to encounter gray squirrels in town squares and hardwood parks, fox squirrels in pine plantations and open areas, and both species in transitional edge habitat.
What food sources attract squirrels in Alabama?
Acorns from white oak, red oak, and pin oak trees are the primary food source in Alabama's forests. Hickory nuts (shagbark, pignut, and mockernut hickory) rank high in preference. Walnut nuts, pecans, pine seeds, and tree buds round out the diet. Squirrels also eat fungi, insects, eggs, and mushrooms opportunistically. In suburban settings, they raid bird feeders, gardens, and composted food.
Alabama's rich oak and hickory mast (nut production) varies year to year. Mast years (heavy nut production) in fall create abundant food and support larger squirrel populations. Lean years drive squirrels to rely on caches and travel farther in search of food. The fall acorn drop (September-November) is the most critical foraging window; watching under oak and hickory trees during this period often yields squirrel sightings.
Infamous nut-caching behavior serves both the squirrel and the forest: a single squirrel may bury hundreds of nuts, but only retrieves 60-70% of them. The forgotten nuts germinate and grow into new oak and hickory trees, making squirrels key forest regenerators.
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Frequently asked questions about squirrels in Alabama
**Are there squirrels in Alabama?** Yes, both eastern gray and fox squirrels are found statewide, and southern flying squirrels inhabit forested regions.
**What kind of squirrels live in Alabama?** The eastern gray squirrel (Sciurus carolinensis) and the fox squirrel (Sciurus niger) are the primary species, each adapted to different forest types. Southern flying squirrels (Glaucomys volans) are present but nocturnal and harder to spot.
**When do squirrels have babies in Alabama?** Most litters arrive in late winter (February-March), with young emerging from nests in May. A second breeding season occurs in summer (June-July), producing young that mature by fall.
**Can I feed squirrels in Alabama?** It's legal but discouraged in state parks. Feeding can make squirrels dependent, cause crowding and disease transmission, and disrupt natural feeding patterns and seed dispersal.
**What's the best spot to see both gray and fox squirrels in Alabama?** Oak Mountain State Park offers mixed oak-hardwood and open pine habitat, increasing chances to see both species in one visit. Talladega National Forest and Sipsey Swamp also host both species.
**Do squirrels stay in the same area year-round?** Eastern gray squirrels have small home ranges (typically 2-8 acres) and stay put year-round if food is adequate. Fox squirrels range more widely (10-50+ acres), especially in fall when traveling between scattered food sources.
See ourtour planning ideasfor the next step.
Gear and field guides
Frequently asked questions
Where are squirrels most likely to be found in Alabama?+
Eastern gray squirrels prefer dense hardwood forests and mixed woodlands dominated by oak, hickory, and walnut trees. Fox squirrels favor open pine forests, pine-oak edges, and parkland with scattered large trees and open understory. Both species thrive in suburban neighborhoods, city parks, and gardens where food is plentiful. Top spots include: - Oak Mountain State Park (near Birmingham): 9,940 acres with hardwood and pine forest - Bankhead National Forest (northwest Alabama): 180,000 acres spanning Franklin and Marion counties - Talladega National Forest (central Alabama): 392,000 acres with mixed hardwood habitat - Sipsey Swamp (Black Belt): bottomland hardwood forest with excellent squirrel populations - Talladega College campus and surrounding woodlands For more on the state's best wildlife areas, check out ourAlabama wildlife guide. In Alabama, squirrel sightings usually improve when you slow down and match your first stop to where the animal is most likely in the state. Use thestate wildlife huband theroute guideto 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.
What is the best time of day to see squirrels in Alabama?+
Squirrels are most active early in the morning (dawn to mid-morning, roughly 6 to 9 AM) and late in the afternoon (3 to 6 PM), especially on calm days. During these windows, they forage openly on the ground and in trees. Activity drops during midday heat, particularly in summer, when squirrels rest in tree canopy shade. Overcast days and cooler temperatures generally increase visibility compared to bright, hot afternoons. Squirrels are active year-round but may be less visible during heavy rain, extreme cold, or strong wind. They are active in all seasons: spring (breeding and feeding), summer (raising young), fall (intensive nut caching), and winter (retrieving cached nuts on mild days). For a complete overview of squirrel behavior, visit oursquirrel species hub. Most misses happen when people arrive at the wrong hour or expect nonstop activity. Build around time-of-day or seasonal behavior, keep one backup area in mind, and use theanimal facts pageplustour planning ideasto compare what a realistic outing looks like in Alabama. If movement slows, stay longer at one promising spot, listen for calls or watch for edge movement, and reset around weather, light, water, or feeding changes instead of jumping to a totally new area too early.
What signs indicate squirrel activity in Alabama?+
Look for leaf nests (dreys) high in tree forks, built from twigs, bark, and leaves. They often resemble large bird nests but are more densely constructed. Chewed nuts, pine cones, and nutshell fragments on the ground signal recent feeding. Stripped bark at the base of trees (usually hickory or walnut) indicates gnawing and stripping for inner bark, particularly in winter. Dig holes in soft soil or leaf litter mark nut-caching sites. Scat (droppings) appear as small, dark pellets often found near feeding areas. Tracks show four toes on front feet and five on back, with a distinctive bounding pattern where front prints cluster ahead of hind prints. If you spot similar clues from other mammals, ourdeer tracking guidemay help you compare. See ourstate animal guidefor the next step.
How do squirrel behaviors change with seasons in Alabama?+
Spring (March-May) is peak activity for mating and early food seeking after winter. Females give birth to litters in late March or April, and young squirrels emerge from nests by May. Fall (September-November) sees intense nut caching as squirrels gather and bury acorns, hickory nuts, and walnuts for winter storage. This frantic activity makes fall one of the best times to spot squirrels in Alabama. Summer (June-August) brings reduced midday activity due to heat; squirrels rest in trees and emerge in early morning or late afternoon. Young squirrels become independent by late summer. Winter (December-February) prompts heavy reliance on cached nuts, but squirrels remain active on mild days and can be spotted traveling between cache sites. Severe cold or snow may confine them to nests for days. For comparison with another common Alabama mammal, see ourbats in Alabama overview.
How do fox squirrels and eastern gray squirrels differ in Alabama?+
Eastern gray squirrels and fox squirrels overlap in Alabama but prefer different habitats and have distinct behaviors. Eastern gray squirrels are smaller (8-10 inches body length, 7-13 ounces), with gray fur, white underside, and a bushy tail. They prefer dense hardwood forests, oak groves, and wooded suburbs. Fox squirrels are larger (11-14 inches body length, 17-29 ounces) with reddish-brown or grizzled fur, often with black and rust coloring on the head and back. They favor open pine forests, oak-pine edges, and parkland with scattered trees and shorter understory. Behaviorally, gray squirrels are more social and nest together; fox squirrels are more solitary. Gray squirrels make high-pitched "kuk-kuk-kuk" calls and are more vocal overall. Fox squirrels are quieter and often perch high on branches or at the crown of tall pines. Both species cache nuts intensively, but fox squirrels tend to bury larger quantities. In Alabama's mixed oak-pine landscape, you're likely to encounter gray squirrels in town squares and hardwood parks, fox squirrels in pine plantations and open areas, and both species in transitional edge habitat.
What food sources attract squirrels in Alabama?+
Acorns from white oak, red oak, and pin oak trees are the primary food source in Alabama's forests. Hickory nuts (shagbark, pignut, and mockernut hickory) rank high in preference. Walnut nuts, pecans, pine seeds, and tree buds round out the diet. Squirrels also eat fungi, insects, eggs, and mushrooms opportunistically. In suburban settings, they raid bird feeders, gardens, and composted food. Alabama's rich oak and hickory mast (nut production) varies year to year. Mast years (heavy nut production) in fall create abundant food and support larger squirrel populations. Lean years drive squirrels to rely on caches and travel farther in search of food. The fall acorn drop (September-November) is the most critical foraging window; watching under oak and hickory trees during this period often yields squirrel sightings. Infamous nut-caching behavior serves both the squirrel and the forest: a single squirrel may bury hundreds of nuts, but only retrieves 60-70% of them. The forgotten nuts germinate and grow into new oak and hickory trees, making squirrels key forest regenerators.
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