6 Types of Squirrels in Iowa

1. What types of squirrels are found in Iowa?

Iowa hosts seven squirrel species, split into three groups. The four tree squirrels are the Eastern Gray Squirrel (Sciurus carolinensis), with gray fur and a white belly; the Fox Squirrel (Sciurus niger), larger with rusty orange sides; the American Red Squirrel (Tamiasciurus hudsonicus), smaller with reddish fur and a white eye ring; and the Southern Flying Squirrel (Glaucomys volans), a small nocturnal glider with a membrane between its legs. The two ground squirrels are the Thirteen-lined Ground Squirrel (Ictidomys tridecemlineatus) and the larger Franklin's Ground Squirrel (Poliocitellus franklinii). The Eastern Chipmunk (Tamias striatus) is the seventh, the smallest of the group. Of all seven, the gray and fox squirrels are abundant statewide, while the rest are local or hard to spot.

2. Where in Iowa are you most likely to see squirrels?

Gray and fox squirrels thrive in wooded areas, parks, and residential backyards across the state. Focus on mature oak-hickory forests in the eastern and central regions. TheIowa Wildlifehub includes tips on local hotspots. Urban areas like Des Moines and Iowa City also have high densities. For fox squirrels, check open woodlands and shelterbelts. American red squirrels prefer coniferous and mixed stands, especially in northern Iowa. Ground squirrels are a different story. Look for thirteen-lined ground squirrels on golf courses, mowed roadsides, grazed pastures, and short-grass prairie remnants, where they sit upright near their burrows. Franklin's ground squirrel hides in taller grass and brushy prairie edges and is much harder to see.

3. What is the best season or time of day for squirrel sightings?

Tree squirrels are active year-round, but the best viewing is early morning and late afternoon when they forage. Spring and fall offer the most activity as they gather food. Winter sightings are still common on sunny days. Flying squirrels require a night outing with a flashlight. Ground squirrels follow a different calendar. Both the thirteen-lined and Franklin's ground squirrels are true hibernators, so you can only find them from roughly April through October, after which they disappear underground until spring. The eastern chipmunk stays in a torpid state underground through the coldest weeks and emerges on mild winter days. For a deeper look at squirrel behavior, visit thesquirrel animal page.

4. How can you tell a gray squirrel from a fox squirrel?

Size is the first clue: fox squirrels are noticeably larger and heavier. The Eastern Gray Squirrel has gray upperparts, a white belly, and a bushy tail with white-tipped hairs. The Fox Squirrel has a rusty orange belly and a black-tipped tail. In Iowa, fox squirrels often have a more reddish hue on their sides. Both species can share habitat, so look at the tail and belly colors for a confident ID. A quick rule that works in the field: if the belly is white and the tail looks silver-edged, it is a gray squirrel, and if the belly and underside of the tail glow orange, it is a fox squirrel.

5. What about red squirrels and flying squirrels in Iowa?

American red squirrels are smaller, about half the size of a gray squirrel, and have reddish-brown fur with a white belly and a distinct white eye ring. They are more vocal and often found in coniferous and mixed forests, mostly in the northern part of the state. Southern Flying Squirrels are nocturnal, grayish-brown, with large dark eyes and a patagium, the loose flap of skin that lets them glide between trees. They cannot truly fly, only glide. They are rarely seen but present in mature hardwood forests across much of Iowa. Despite their reputation as rare, flying squirrels may be one of the more common woodland squirrels, just almost never noticed because they only move after dark. Both species are far less visible than the gray and fox squirrels.

6. Where should I look for flying squirrels in Iowa?

Flying squirrels are strictly nocturnal and elusive. Look in mature woodlands with dead trees and cavities, especially oak-hickory forests. Use a red flashlight to avoid startling them. They are most active two hours after sunset. Listen for their soft chirps. Good spots include wooded state parks like Ledges State Park. A bird feeder near woods can also draw them in after dark, so checking it with a dim light late at night is one of the easiest ways to confirm they live nearby. For more details on Iowa's squirrel species, check theIowa squirrel guide.

7. What are Iowa's ground squirrels, and how are they different?

Iowa has two ground squirrels, and they behave nothing like the tree squirrels people picture. They live in burrows, rarely climb, and hibernate through the winter. The Thirteen-lined Ground Squirrel is the one most people notice. It is slender and golden brown with thirteen alternating stripes and rows of pale spots running down its back, which is where the name comes from. It favors short grass and does well on golf courses, mowed roadsides, grazed pastures, and prairie remnants, often sitting bolt upright at the mouth of its burrow. Franklin's Ground Squirrel is the larger of the two and Iowa's biggest ground squirrel, measuring roughly fourteen to sixteen inches including the tail. It is grayish-brown with a faintly grizzled, almost speckled coat and no clear stripes, which can make it look like a small gray squirrel at a glance. Franklin's prefers taller, denser grass and brushy edges, so it is far harder to spot, and it is a species of conservation concern in parts of its Iowa range. The simplest way to separate the two: clear stripes and short grass point to thirteen-lined, while a plain gray-brown coat in tall grass points to Franklin's.

8. Is the eastern chipmunk a squirrel, and how do I identify it?

Yes, the Eastern Chipmunk belongs to the squirrel family, and it is the smallest squirrel in Iowa. People often confuse it with the thirteen-lined ground squirrel because both have stripes, but the differences are clear once you know them. The chipmunk is reddish-brown with five dark stripes on its back, bold white stripes bordered in black on its face, and a flat-looking tail it carries upright when it runs. The thirteen-lined ground squirrel has many more stripes, rows of spots, no facial stripes, and a thinner body. Chipmunks also keep close to cover. Look for them around stone walls, wood piles, fallen logs, and shaded backyard edges, where they dart in and out of small burrow openings. Their loud, repeated chip call often gives them away before you see them. Like the ground squirrels, chipmunks spend the coldest part of winter underground and reappear on warmer days.

9. Iowa squirrel species at a glance: which is which?

Use this quick comparison to match a sighting to a species. Eastern Gray Squirrel: medium tree squirrel, gray with a white belly, silver-edged tail, common statewide in woods and towns. Fox Squirrel: the largest tree squirrel, rusty orange underside and tail, common in open woodlands and shelterbelts. American Red Squirrel: small tree squirrel, reddish coat and white eye ring, loud and territorial, mostly northern conifer and mixed stands. Southern Flying Squirrel: small, soft gray-brown, huge dark eyes, gliding membrane, strictly nocturnal in mature hardwoods. Thirteen-lined Ground Squirrel: slim, golden brown, thirteen stripes and rows of spots, lives in burrows in short grass, hibernates in winter. Franklin's Ground Squirrel: largest ground squirrel, plain grizzled gray-brown, tall-grass and brushy habitat, secretive, hibernates, a conservation concern. Eastern Chipmunk: smallest, reddish with five back stripes and striped face, lives near cover and stone piles. Start with habitat. A squirrel in a tree is one of the four tree species, a striped animal on the ground in short grass is usually thirteen-lined or a chipmunk, and a plain gray-brown animal in tall grass is likely Franklin's.

10. What squirrel-themed gear does Easy Street Markets offer?

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11. Frequently asked questions about Iowa squirrels

**How many squirrel species live in Iowa?** Seven. Four tree squirrels (eastern gray, fox, American red, southern flying), two ground squirrels (thirteen-lined and Franklin's), and the eastern chipmunk.

**Are there albino squirrels in Iowa?** Yes, white (albino or leucistic) gray squirrels are occasionally reported, especially in small towns. They are rare but not unheard of.

**Do squirrels hibernate in Iowa?** It depends on the type. Tree squirrels and chipmunks stay active and rely on cached food, though chipmunks go torpid underground in the coldest weeks. The two ground squirrels are true hibernators and vanish underground from about October to April.

**What is the largest squirrel in Iowa?** The Fox Squirrel is the largest tree squirrel, weighing up to about 2 pounds. Among ground squirrels, Franklin's is the biggest.

**Are flying squirrels rare in Iowa?** Southern Flying Squirrels are present in suitable hardwood habitat across much of the state. They seem rare only because they are nocturnal, so most people never see one even where they are common.

**Can I feed squirrels in my backyard?** Yes, but use unsalted nuts like peanuts or sunflower seeds to keep them healthy. Avoid bread and processed foods.

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