Squirrels in Nebraska: identification guide and where to start looking

1. What squirrel species are found in Nebraska?

Nebraska is home to two widespread tree squirrel species: the eastern gray squirrel and the fox squirrel. The gray squirrel is more common in the eastern third of the state, especially around the Missouri River corridor where mature oak and hickory forests provide ideal habitat. The fox squirrel is the state's most abundant squirrel and can be found statewide, from urban Omaha to the Sandhills, adapting well to both wild and suburban environments. A third species, the southern flying squirrel, has been reported in a few isolated pockets along the Niobrara River, but sightings are rare and would require nighttime spotlighting to confirm.

See ourstate wildlife pagefor more context on Nebraska's ecosystems.

2. Where in Nebraska are squirrels most commonly seen?

Your best odds for seeing squirrels are in areas with mature oak, hickory, or walnut trees. The parks and neighborhoods of Omaha and Lincoln have high densities of both gray and fox squirrels. In the Platte River valley, look along riparian woodlands where trees line the water. State parks like Ponca State Park and Indian Cave State Park offer reliable squirrel watching opportunities. In western Nebraska, fox squirrels are still present but in lower numbers, so focus on river bottoms and shelterbelts where trees cluster. Even small suburban yards with established trees will host squirrels during feeding season.

See ourSquirrels guidefor additional identification details.

3. Best time of year to spot squirrels in Nebraska?

Squirrels are active year-round, but the best window for confident sightings is late summer through early winter. From August to October, squirrels are busy gathering nuts and cones for winter storage, and they spend considerable time on the ground searching for food. Winter mornings after a light snow make tracks easy to follow in the fresh powder. Spring and summer bring dense leaf cover that hides them, making visual identification harder. However, dawn and dusk remain the most active periods regardless of season, as squirrels are crepuscular and avoid the midday heat.

See ourstate animal guidefor deeper insights.

4. How to tell apart Nebraska's squirrel species?

Look at the belly and overall size as your primary clues. Fox squirrels are larger, typically 18-27 inches long including tail, with a distinctive rusty orange or red belly and a bushy tail often edged in red or orange. Gray squirrels are smaller, typically 16-20 inches long, with a white or pale gray belly and a more slender, silver-gray back. The tail of a gray squirrel is frosted with white hairs, giving it a frosted appearance. If you see a small, dark squirrel with a flat tail close to its body, it may be a flying squirrel, but you would need a spotlight at night to confirm, as they are strictly nocturnal.

5. Where do squirrels build nests in Nebraska?

Both gray and fox squirrels build two types of nests. Leaf nests, called dreys, are football-sized bundles of leaves and small twigs built in tree forks or crotches. These are often visible in winter after leaves fall from the trees. Cavity nests are built inside hollow trunks or large branches and are harder to spot but provide more secure shelter from weather and predators. In towns and suburbs, squirrels also use attics, eaves, and chimneys for winter shelter. The best way to locate a squirrel's home is to watch for repeated movement to a particular tree at dusk, when they head to their nighttime roost.

6. What are the most useful field marks for quick identification?

If the squirrel is on the ground and you see a rich orange or rusty belly before it dashes up a tree, it is a fox squirrel. If the belly looks whitish and the animal seems smaller and quicker with a silver-gray back, it is a gray squirrel. The tail also differs significantly: fox squirrels have a broader, bushier tail with reddish or orange edges; gray squirrels have a narrower, more delicate tail that appears silver-gray. Always note the setting: fox squirrels prefer open parks, golf courses, and woodland edges, while gray squirrels stick to denser woods and mixed forests. Size matters too: if unsure, a fox squirrel's bulk will be obvious when it climbs compared to a gray squirrel's lighter frame.

7. What do Nebraska's squirrels eat and how do they prepare for winter?

Both species are primarily granivores, feeding on acorns, walnuts, hickory nuts, seeds, pine cones, and tree bark. Gray squirrels prefer hickory nuts and are more selective eaters, while fox squirrels are more adaptable and often raid bird feeders and eat fruits and berries. In late summer and fall, both species enter a frenzied caching period where they bury or hide thousands of nuts and seeds in scattered locations throughout their territory. They rely on their spatial memory to recover these caches in winter, though they forget many, inadvertently planting new trees. Squirrels do not hibernate; they stay active all winter, drawing on their cached food stores and supplementing with bark, buds, and whatever else they can find.

8. Can you identify squirrels by their calls and behavior?

Yes. Fox squirrels make a distinctive loud barking or scolding call that sounds like a single "woof" repeated several times, often given when alarmed. Gray squirrels produce a softer, more chattering call and a gentle chirring sound. Behavior differs too: fox squirrels are often found alone or in pairs and are more vocal when defending territory. Gray squirrels are more social and often gather in small groups, especially in prime habitat. Fox squirrels tend to move more deliberately and spend time on the ground, while gray squirrels are more acrobatic in the trees. In suburban areas, fox squirrels are bolder around humans and bird feeders, while gray squirrels are slightly more wary.

9. Are there color variations of squirrels in Nebraska to know about?

Yes. Black morphs of the eastern gray squirrel occur occasionally in the eastern part of the state, particularly in urban areas like Omaha and Lincoln. These individuals are the same species as their gray counterparts, just expressing a different color phase controlled by a recessive gene. Black gray squirrels are fully fertile and can interbreed with typical gray squirrels. You may also encounter gray squirrels with white patches or albino individuals very rarely, though these are genetic anomalies. Some fox squirrels in western Nebraska appear somewhat darker or redder than eastern populations due to local genetic variation and environmental factors. Don't mistake a black gray squirrel for a different species; belly color and size will still identify it correctly.

10. Where do people usually misidentify squirrels in Nebraska?

Confusion often occurs between fox squirrel and gray squirrel juveniles, as young fox squirrels may appear smaller than expected. In poor lighting or at a distance, the belly color is hard to assess, leading to misidentification. Another common mistake is confusing a large gray squirrel with a small fox squirrel; always note size relative to the tree's bark for scale. Prairie dogs, which inhabit western Nebraska grasslands, are sometimes confused with prairie dog-like squirrels by visitors unfamiliar with the region. Ground squirrels, including the thirteen-lined ground squirrel found in prairies statewide, are often mistaken for tree squirrels, though they are smaller, lack the bushy tail, and are strictly diurnal. In rare cases, people report seeing "chipmunks" or "marmots" when they have actually spotted young squirrels or other rodents.

11. Show off your Nebraska squirrel sightings with wildlife apparel

After a rewarding day of squirrel spotting, you can wear your experience. Easy Street Markets offers a range of squirrel-themed t-shirts. Look at the **Wild Wings Wildlife T-Shirt Gray Squirrel Unisex Graphic Tee For Men & Women** for a detailed portrait.

[]() This soft 100% cotton tee features a lifelike gray squirrel design printed on the front. It holds up well to repeated washes. Check Price and Availability

For a playful nod to your hobby, try the **Squirrel Lover Vintage T-Shirt**.

[]() A retro style graphic that works for casual outings or as a conversation starter. Check Price and Availability

If you want something more bold, the **Squirrel Shirt. Funny Squirrel Shirt** stands out.

[]() A humorous design with a squirrel and acorn motif, perfect for gifting. Check Price and Availability

Browse more options in oursquirrel t-shirts collection.

Frequently asked questions

**How do I identify a squirrel in Nebraska with certainty?** Focus on three features: size (fox squirrels are noticeably larger at 18-27 inches total length versus gray squirrels at 16-20 inches), belly color (orange or rusty red means fox squirrel; white or pale gray means gray squirrel), and tail shape (bushy and reddish-edged for fox; thinner and silver-frosted for gray). These three combined will identify any tree squirrel in Nebraska correctly.

**Are there black squirrels in Nebraska?** Yes, black morphs of the eastern gray squirrel occur occasionally in the eastern part of the state, particularly Omaha and Lincoln. They are the same species as their gray counterparts, just expressing a recessive color mutation. Check the belly color and size to confirm they are gray squirrels, not a different species.

**Can I see squirrels in the Panhandle?** Fox squirrels live along the North Platte and Republican River corridors in western Nebraska, but they are much less common than in eastern areas. Your best odds are in wooded areas near Scottsbluff or Chadron, especially in shelterbelts and river bottom woodlands where mature trees are established.

**Do squirrels hibernate in Nebraska?** No. Squirrels stay active all winter, though they may hole up in their cavity nests during severe storms. They cache food extensively in fall and rely on their stored nuts and seeds throughout winter, venturing out on milder days to forage and check their caches.

**What is the difference between a gray squirrel and a fox squirrel diet?** Both eat acorns, walnuts, seeds, and fruits. Gray squirrels prefer hickory nuts and are more selective eaters, while fox squirrels are more adaptable and often raid bird feeders, eat berries, and consume a wider variety of plant material. Fox squirrels are also more likely to be spotted foraging on the ground.

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