Squirrels in New Jersey: where to look and what signs to watch for

1. Where do squirrels live in New Jersey?

Squirrels are found throughout the state, but your best odds are in mixed hardwood forests with plenty of oak, hickory, and beech trees. The eastern gray squirrel dominates most areas, while red squirrels prefer coniferous forests in the northern highlands. Common spots include theNew JerseyPine Barrens, the Watchung Reservation, the Palisades Interstate Park, and suburban parks with large shade trees. You'll also find squirrels in residential areas with mature trees, making them accessible even near urban centers. In spring and summer, they range widely to exploit new food sources. Fall and early winter see them concentrated near nut-producing trees as they prepare food caches.

2. When is the best time of day to spot squirrels?

Squirrels are most active during early morning and late afternoon, especially in fall when they're caching acorns for winter. In summer, they often rest during midday heat to conserve energy, becoming more active as temperatures drop in evening. Winter activity peaks around midday on sunny days when they venture out to search for cached nuts. Overcast days can bring activity throughout the day. If you're visiting parks in New Jersey, plan your trip for dawn or dusk for the highest success rate. Weather matters too: after rain, squirrels are more active as they search for washed-down seeds and insects.

3. What tracks and signs should a beginner look for?

Squirrel tracks show four toes on the front feet and five on the back, with a bounding pattern about 2 to 3 feet apart. Look for gnawed nuts with neat oval holes, stripped bark on tree branches, and leafy nests called dreys high in forks of trees. Chewed pine cones with a central core left behind are a sure sign of red squirrels. Fresh scratch marks on bark indicate recent climbing. In winter, squirrel tracks in snow are easy to spot and lead to food sources. You may also see middens, which are piles of cone scales and nut debris beneath trees where squirrels have been feeding. See ourstate animal guidefor the next step.

4. How to tell eastern gray and red squirrels apart?

Eastern gray squirrels are larger, 17 to 20 inches including tail, with grayish fur and a distinctive white belly. They have large ears without tufts. Red squirrels are smaller, 11 to 14 inches, with reddish-brown fur and often have white eye rings and ear tufts that are more pronounced in winter. Gray squirrels are common statewide in parks and residential areas. Red squirrels are mostly in the northern forests of the Highlands and the Pine Barrens, preferring evergreen and mixed forests. If you see a small, reddish squirrel with ear tufts in New Jersey, it's almost certainly a red squirrel. For more detail, see oursquirrel identification guide.

5. What specific habitats should I search in New Jersey parks?

Focus on areas with a mix of mature oaks, hickories, and nut-producing trees. In the Pine Barrens, look along edges of pine-oak forests where the two forest types meet, as squirrels exploit the diverse food availability. In the Highlands, check hemlock and spruce stands for red squirrels, especially near boulder fields and rocky outcrops. Suburban parks with old growth trees are reliable for gray squirrels. Walk slowly and scan the ground for movement and the canopy for leaf nests. Edges between forest types and open areas are particularly productive, as squirrels move between them to forage. During acorn season (September through November), focus on the densest oak concentrations.

6. How to spot squirrel nests and feeding signs?

Look for dreys: basketball-sized clumps of leaves high in tree forks. They're built with twigs, leaves, and bark and are used year-round, though winter nests are especially dense. Check for gnawed black walnuts under trees or partially eaten corn cobs near fields. In winter, you may see squirrel tracks in snow leading to a tree base, which often means a food cache is buried nearby. Fresh scratch marks on bark indicate recent climbing activity. Also scan the forest floor for scattered nut hulls, cone fragments, and small pits where squirrels have dug up cached food. Observe limbs for freshly stripped bark, a sign that squirrels are actively feeding or gathering nesting material.

7. Are squirrels protected in New Jersey?

Eastern gray squirrels are not protected in New Jersey and can be hunted during specific seasons with a valid hunting license. Red squirrels also have a hunting season but populations are smaller and more localized. Squirrel hunting season typically runs from October through February, though dates vary. However, in state and county parks, hunting is often prohibited, making these areas safer for observation. If you encounter injured or orphaned squirrels, contact a local wildlife rehabilitation center. Feeding wild squirrels in parks is generally discouraged as it can make them dependent on human food and cause conflicts.

8. What do squirrels eat in New Jersey?

Eastern gray squirrels primarily eat acorns, hickory nuts, and walnuts when available. They also consume seeds from maples and other trees, mushrooms, fungi, tree bark, and buds. In suburban areas, they may eat seeds from bird feeders. Red squirrels are more focused on conifer seeds, pine nuts, and spruce seeds, though they also take some acorns and mushrooms. Both species cache food in fall for winter survival. During spring and early summer, squirrels seek fresh buds, flowers, and insects, particularly as females prepare to raise young. Knowing what's fruiting helps predict where squirrels will be: acorn-heavy years in late summer and fall draw concentrations near oak-rich areas.

9. Wildlife shirts for squirrel fans

If you enjoy spotting squirrels, you can show your appreciation with a wildlife-themed shirt. Here are a few options:

Wild Wings Wildlife T-Shirt Gray Squirrel Unisex Graphic Tee For Men & Women

This 100% cotton tee features a detailed gray squirrel design on the front. Perfect for field trips or casual wear.Check Price and Availability

Squirrel Lover Vintage T-Shirt

A classic retro-style shirt for squirrel fans. Lightweight and affordable.Check Price and Availability

Vintage Squirrel Graphic Tee

Another vintage option with a bold squirrel graphic. See moresquirrel shirts.

Squirrel Shirt. Squirrel Gift. Squirrel Clothing. Funny Squirrel Shirt. Squirrels Shirt. Squirrel Tshirt. Squirrel Lover Gift. #OS5686

A strong match for this wildlife page and an easy next click after the guide.Check Price and Availability

10. How do squirrels prepare for winter in New Jersey?

Squirrels undergo significant behavioral and physical changes as winter approaches. In fall, they increase their feeding activity, consuming up to twice their normal amount of food to build fat reserves and prepare for colder months. They spend considerable time caching nuts and seeds in multiple locations throughout their range, relying on their memory to relocate these buried stores. As temperatures drop, their metabolism slows, though they do not truly hibernate. Instead, they enter a state of torpor, reducing activity during the coldest days and emerging on warmer afternoons to search for cached food. This caching strategy allows them to survive New Jersey winters without long-distance migration.

11. Can you observe squirrel behavior changes by season in New Jersey?

Squirrel behavior shifts dramatically throughout the year in New Jersey. Spring brings increased activity and vocalizations as males search for females during mating season. Summer focuses on raising young and exploiting abundant food sources like insects and fresh vegetation. Fall is the most visibly active season, with frantic caching behavior and aggressive interactions as squirrels secure food supplies. Winter sees reduced activity overall, though sunny days prompt foraging trips. Spring squirrels are often smaller and leaner as they emerge from winter on limited reserves. Summer and fall squirrels are plumper and more confident. Observing these seasonal shifts enriches your understanding of squirrel ecology and helps predict where to find them throughout the year in New Jersey parks.

12. Frequently asked questions about squirrels in New Jersey

**Are there flying squirrels in New Jersey?** Yes, the southern flying squirrel lives throughout New Jersey in forested areas, but it is strictly nocturnal and rarely seen by humans. Flying squirrels have a membrane between their limbs that they stretch to glide between trees, making them distinctive when observed. **Do squirrels hibernate?** No, squirrels do not truly hibernate. They remain active during winter, relying on cached food and entering a state of torpor on extremely cold days to conserve energy. **What should I do if I find a baby squirrel?** Leave it alone unless visibly injured or bleeding. Mother squirrels routinely retrieve healthy babies. A baby squirrel on the ground for a few hours is normal as mothers move litters. Contact a wildlife rehabilitator only if the squirrel is obviously injured. **How many baby squirrels does a female have?** Eastern gray squirrels typically give birth to two litters per year, with three to four young per litter. Red squirrels usually have just one litter annually with similar numbers. See ourtour planning ideasfor the next step.