Squirrels in North Dakota: identification guide and where to start looking
North Dakota is home to three main squirrel species: the fox squirrel, eastern gray squirrel, and red squirrel. Most sightings occur in wooded river bottoms, parks, and urban green spaces. Start your search along the Sheyenne River or in Turtle Mountain State Forest for your best odds.
North Dakota is home to three main squirrel species: the fox squirrel, eastern gray squirrel, and red squirrel. Most sightings occur in wooded river bottoms, parks, and urban green spaces. Start your search along the Sheyenne River or in Turtle Mountain State Forest for your best odds.
1. What types of squirrels live in North Dakota?
Two tree squirrels dominate the state: the fox squirrel (*Sciurus niger*) and the eastern gray squirrel (*Sciurus carolinensis*). A third, the red squirrel (*Tamiasciurus hudsonicus*), is less widespread and sticks to conifer stands in the northern part of the state. Ground squirrels like Richardson's ground squirrel and the thirteen-lined ground squirrel are often mistaken for tree squirrels but belong to a different family.
In North Dakota, squirrels sightings usually improve when you slow down and match your first stop to the most useful ID markers and likely lookalikes. 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.
2. Where in North Dakota do people usually spot them first?
Most first-time sightings happen in the eastern half of the state, especially along river corridors like the Red River and the Sheyenne River. Good starting points includeTurtle Mountain State Forest, Sheyenne National Grassland, and any town with mature oaks or cottonwoods. Urban parks in Fargo and Bismarck also reliably host fox and gray squirrels.
See ourSquirrels guidefor the next step.
3. Best season or time window for confident sightings
Squirrels are active year-round, but the best odds are in fall (September through November) when they are busily caching food and leaf cover is thinning. Early morning and late afternoon are the most productive times. Winter is also good because snow highlights movement and tracks, making it easier to spot them against white backgrounds.
See ourstate animal guidefor the next step.
4. How to tell a fox squirrel from an eastern gray squirrel
Fox squirrels are larger (18-27 inches total length) with a rusty orange belly and a broad, bushy tail that often has yellow or orange edges. Eastern gray squirrels are smaller (15-20 inches) with a white belly and a more streamlined, gray tail. In North Dakota, fox squirrels are more common in open woodlots and farmsteads, while grays prefer denser forests.
5. Are there any less common squirrel species in North Dakota?
The red squirrel is the least common tree squirrel in the state. It is about half the size of a gray squirrel, reddish-brown with a white belly, and almost always found in spruce, pine, or mixed conifer stands. The northern flying squirrel is considered extremely rare or extirpated from ND, so do not expect to see one.
6. How do ground squirrels compare to tree squirrels?
Ground squirrels (like Richardson's ground squirrel and the thirteen-lined ground squirrel) are smaller, have shorter tails, and spend most of their time on the ground. Tree squirrels have long, fluffy tails and are agile climbers. If you see a squirrel on the ground foraging, check its tail length and body shape to distinguish them. Ground squirrels also hibernate through winter, while tree squirrels stay active.
Show your squirrel spotting pride
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Browse all oursquirrel-themed apparelto find more designs.
Do squirrels in North Dakota hibernate?
No. Tree squirrels remain active all winter. They rely on cached food and spend cold nights in tree cavities or leaf nests. Ground squirrels, however, do hibernate from around October through March.
What is the best bait for attracting squirrels to a feeder?
Black oil sunflower seeds and in-shell peanuts work well. Place feeders near trees or shrubs so squirrels feel safe. In North Dakota, offering corn on the cob can also attract fox squirrels, but be mindful of attracting other wildlife.
See ourtour planning ideasfor the next step.