Are There Squirrels in Los Angeles?
Yes, squirrels are abundant throughout Los Angeles and its surrounding regions. Tree squirrels, fox squirrels, and ground squirrels thrive in parks, neighborhoods, and green spaces from downtown to the beaches. You'll encounter them in urban yards, hiking trails, and city parks year-round. Los Angeles offers ideal habitat with its mild climate and diverse vegetation.
By Tim, founder of Easy Street Markets. I maintain the wildlife database and verify every animal and source myself. Updated July 23, 2026.
California Ground Squirrel · smeckert CC BY
California Ground Squirrel · Adam J. Searcy CC BY
Eastern Fox Squirrel · P Holroyd CC BY
- 8
- species recorded
- 160,528
- GBIF records
- April, May, June
- peak months
Yes, squirrels are in California. Next you'll want:
Verified species, source iNaturalist
28 types of squirrels recorded in California
28 squirrel species have a verified observation record in California across the squirrel family (Sciuridae), each with at least 10 confirmed sightings. The full list, ranked by how often each is recorded, is below.
2 of the 28 shown are recorded as introduced to California rather than native, and 5 are endemic to California, found here and effectively nowhere else.
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Also recorded in California
| # | Species | Scientific name | Records |
|---|---|---|---|
| 13 | Sonoma ChipmunkEndemicNeotamias sonomae | Neotamias sonomae | 1,179 |
| 14 | Nelson's Antelope SquirrelEndemicAmmospermophilus nelsoni | Ammospermophilus nelsoni | 695 |
| 15 | Humboldt's Flying SquirrelNativeGlaucomys oregonensis | Glaucomys oregonensis | 675 |
| 16 | Long-eared ChipmunkNativeNeotamias quadrimaculatus | Neotamias quadrimaculatus | 568 |
| 17 | Yellow-pine ChipmunkNativeNeotamias amoenus | Neotamias amoenus | 438 |
| 18 | Least ChipmunkNativeNeotamias minimus | Neotamias minimus | 350 |
| 19 | Shadow ChipmunkNativeNeotamias senex | Neotamias senex | 301 |
| 20 | Round-tailed Ground SquirrelNativeXerospermophilus tereticaudus | Xerospermophilus tereticaudus | 289 |
| 21 | California ChipmunkNativeNeotamias obscurus | Neotamias obscurus | 177 |
| 22 | Yellow-cheeked ChipmunkEndemicNeotamias ochrogenys | Neotamias ochrogenys | 166 |
| 23 | Alpine ChipmunkEndemicNeotamias alpinus | Neotamias alpinus | 144 |
| 24 | Siskiyou ChipmunkNativeNeotamias siskiyou | Neotamias siskiyou | 121 |
| 25 | Uinta ChipmunkNativeNeotamias umbrinus | Neotamias umbrinus | 49 |
| 26 | Mohave Ground SquirrelEndemicXerospermophilus mohavensis | Xerospermophilus mohavensis | 48 |
| 27 | Panamint ChipmunkNativeNeotamias panamintinus | Neotamias panamintinus | 45 |
| 28 | Rock SquirrelNativeOtospermophilus variegatus | Otospermophilus variegatus | 29 |
Plus 3 more recorded only rarely (fewer than 10 verified sightings). Counts from verified iNaturalist observations. Photos by iNaturalist observers, reused under the licence each observer chose.
Real sighting data, source iNaturalist
172,076 verified observations on iNaturalist of squirrel have been recorded in California, most often in April, May, June.
When squirrel are recorded in California
Yes, squirrels are abundant throughout Los Angeles and its surrounding regions. Tree squirrels, fox squirrels, and ground squirrels thrive in parks, neighborhoods, and green spaces from downtown to the beaches. You'll encounter them in urban yards, hiking trails, and city parks year-round. Los Angeles offers ideal habitat with its mild climate and diverse vegetation.
Where Squirrels Live in and Around Los Angeles
Squirrels are found throughout Los Angeles in nearly every neighborhood and green space. Griffith Park, one of the largest urban parks in the nation, hosts thriving squirrel populations along its trails and in the chaparral-oak woodland habitat. Silver Lake and Los Feliz neighborhoods have established squirrel areas in residential trees and local parks. Echo Park and the surrounding area support squirrels in the lake vegetation and urban gardens. Runyon Canyon in Hollywood offers habitat where squirrels move through sage scrub and oak trees. The Santa Monica Mountains and Topanga Canyon regions host populations in more natural settings. Neighborhoods in Venice, Santa Monica, and the beach areas support squirrels adapted to palms and coastal vegetation. Downtown Los Angeles parks and tree-lined streets contain squirrels that have adapted to urban life. Mulholland Drive and the Hollywood Hills areas provide squirrel habitat in chaparral and oak woodland ecosystems. Links to state and regional /wildlife/{state_slug} guides can help you understand the broader California squirrel diversity. For more on squirrel in California, see ourCalifornia squirrel guide.
Seasonal Patterns and Activity Timing
Los Angeles squirrels remain active year-round due to the region's mild Mediterranean climate. Unlike populations in colder regions, they don't hibernate and can be seen foraging in every season. Spring, from February to April, marks peak breeding activity when males become more vocal and visible chasing females through trees and across the ground. Summer activity peaks in early morning and late afternoon as squirrels avoid midday heat. Fall, particularly September through November, triggers intense food-gathering behavior as squirrels cache acorns and seeds for the leaner season ahead. Winter months still see regular activity, though it's somewhat reduced compared to spring and fall. Rainy periods increase foraging urgency as squirrels search for nuts and seeds. You'll notice heightened activity in oak trees during acorn season, typically August through October. The timing varies slightly depending on your specific neighborhood and elevation. Exploring /wildlife/california can deepen your understanding of how seasons affect all California wildlife. You can also browseCalifornia wildlife.
How to Identify Los Angeles Squirrels
Several squirrel species inhabit Los Angeles, each with distinct features. Fox squirrels, the largest and most common, measure 18 to 27 inches long with bushy tails. They display variable coloring, ranging from orange and rust tones to black, and often have lighter underside fur. Tree squirrels, smaller and more agile, typically show gray upper fur with white or pale undersides and distinctive dark tail edges. Ground squirrels, the smallest species found in LA, rarely exceed 6 inches in body length and have shorter tails than tree squirrels. All squirrels have large, prominent front teeth visible when they chew. Their bushy tails serve as balance organs and rudders while jumping. Listen for their distinctive chirps, barks, and scolding calls, which increase when they're alarmed. Males and females look similar, though males appear slightly larger during breeding season. Age doesn't change their coloring significantly, but juvenile squirrels appear smaller overall. References to /wildlife/{state_slug}/squirrel provide detailed identification guides for California species. See all of ourwildlife guides.
Where Sightings Are Most Concentrated
Within Los Angeles, squirrel sightings concentrate in areas with mature trees and protected green space. Griffith Park stands as the premier observation location, where the combination of oak woodlands, pine trees, and grasslands creates perfect squirrel habitat across its 4,210 acres. TreePeople's nursery and nature center in Studio City supports active squirrel populations. Runyon Canyon, accessed from multiple trailheads in the Hollywood area, offers reliable squirrel sightings on the dusty trails beneath oak trees. Mulholland Drive and the surrounding ridge areas have populations that move through mixed chaparral and oak woodland. The Santa Monica Mountains, including areas accessible through Topanga State Park and residential canyons, host strong squirrel areas. Regional parks like Elysian Park and Beacon Hill Park in downtown LA provide urban habitat. Neighborhoods with mature street trees and private yards in Los Feliz, Silver Lake, and Los Feliz see frequent sightings. Beach areas with palm trees and coastal vegetation support adapted populations. Parks along the Los Angeles River greenway occasionally host squirrels. The /wildlife guide provides tools for planning wildlife viewing trips throughout the region. OurCalifornia wildlife guidecovers more species you may run into.
Typical Squirrel Behavior and Habits
Los Angeles squirrels follow predictable daily and seasonal patterns shaped by food availability and temperature. They're primarily diurnal, meaning most active during daylight hours, with peak foraging occurring early morning and late afternoon. Their diet shifts seasonally: spring brings tender buds and shoots, summer offers seeds and insects, fall focuses on acorn and nut collection for winter caching, and winter relies on cached foods. Squirrels spend significant time burying and retrieving cached nuts, often forgetting some locations where seeds eventually germinate into trees. They're highly territorial and defend their core ranges, creating the familiar chasing and chattering displays seen in neighborhood trees. Males are polygamous and will compete aggressively for mates during breeding season. They construct dreys, which are leafy ball-shaped nests, high in tree crevices or branches. Juveniles remain with their mother for about eight weeks before dispersing. Squirrels use their large bushy tails for balance when running on wires and branches, for communication, and as blankets during cool weather. They navigate three-dimensional space with remarkable agility, using their sharp claws to grip bark. Social hierarchies govern interactions within overlapping ranges. Understanding these behaviors enhances your ability to observe squirrels naturally in LA parks. Read more aboutsquirrel in California.
Coexistence and Safety Guidelines
Squirrels in Los Angeles pose no threat to humans and rarely cause problems in urban settings. They naturally avoid close contact with people and will flee when approached. While they may bold up in parks and neighborhoods where people regularly feed them, wild squirrels maintain wariness. Never attempt to hand-feed squirrels, as this encourages dependency on human food and can result in bites or scratches when squirrels become aggressive over food. Keep distance if you encounter a squirrel, allowing it space to retreat. Squirrels are protected under California law, and trapping or harming them is illegal. If squirrels access your home or attic, contact a licensed wildlife control service rather than attempting removal yourself. Secure garbage cans and bring pet food inside to avoid attracting squirrels to areas where they might cause damage. Tree trimming away from roof lines and power lines reduces squirrel pathways into buildings. Most coexistence issues resolve simply by removing food attractions. Squirrels in parks should never be hand-fed, as this disrupts their natural foraging and creates crowds of aggressive animals. The calm, common-sense approach keeps both you and squirrels safe and healthy. For more wildlife safety information, visit /wildlife/california. Browsewildlife in Californiafor related pages.
Species You Might Confuse with Squirrels
While squirrels are distinctive, several other animals in Los Angeles might be mistaken for them or vice versa. Rats, particularly roof rats common in LA, are much smaller, lack bushy tails, and have scaly rat tails. Opossums, surprisingly common in urban areas, are larger, grayish-white, have pointed faces, hairless tails, and move slowly compared to nimble squirrels. Raccoons are substantially larger, gray with a black facial mask, and have distinctive ringed tails. Ground squirrels themselves are sometimes confused with chipmunks, but LA has no native chipmunks, and ground squirrels lack the striped facial patterns. Flying squirrels inhabit California but are nocturnal and extremely rare in Los Angeles proper, occurring only in foothill regions. Gophers, which create mounds in lawns, are burrowing rodents without visible tails and move very differently than squirrels. Woodrats are smaller than squirrels and construct stick-built nests. Young rabbits are sometimes mistaken for squirrels, but rabbits have long ears, longer hind legs, and shorter tails. Pikas, alpine relatives of rabbits, don't occur in LA. Learning the differences helps you accurately report wildlife observations and appreciate the distinct ecological roles each animal fills. Check /wildlife for broader wildlife identification resources.
Frequently Asked Questions About Los Angeles Squirrels
Why do squirrels chase each other constantly? Most chases occur during breeding season when males pursue females, or when squirrels defend territory from intruders. Even outside breeding season, playful or aggressive chasing reinforces territorial boundaries. Can I feed squirrels in local parks? While tempting, feeding wild squirrels creates dependency, spreads disease through concentrated populations, and can make squirrels aggressive. Let them forage naturally for their health and yours. Do squirrels sleep in the same nest every night? No, squirrels often rotate between multiple dreys throughout their territory, sometimes having several nests to prevent parasite buildup. They may also seek sheltered places in trees or buildings during extreme weather. What damage can squirrels cause in Los Angeles? Squirrels occasionally strip bark from trees seeking nutrients or nesting material, rarely damage structures, and occasionally access attics through gaps. Prevention through exclusion and removing food attractions solves most conflicts without harming the animals. The /wildlife/california resource offers more detailed information about managing wildlife interactions responsibly.
Gear and field guides
Plan your trip
Best time to see squirrel in California: April, May, June
See the month-by-month sighting calendar.
Plan your squirrel sighting in California
160,528 verified squirrel records have been logged in California, most recently in 2026. See the GBIF records.
Where to look in California
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- Golden Gate National Recreation Area · Wildlife Watching, Birdwatching · Find hotels
Keep exploring
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