5 Types of Squirrels in Rhode Island

1. How many types of squirrels live in Rhode Island?

Rhode Island hosts three native tree squirrels: the Eastern gray squirrel (Sciurus carolinensis), the red squirrel (Tamiasciurus hudsonicus), and the southern flying squirrel (Glaucomys volans). The Eastern gray is by far the most common and visible throughout the state. Ground squirrels like the woodchuck (Marmota monax) also inhabit Rhode Island but belong to a different genus; chipmunks (Tamias striatus) are common and sometimes confused with red squirrels. No fox squirrels or western species naturally occur here. For detailed ID tips, visit oursquirrel identification guide.

2. What are the key ID markers for Rhode Island's squirrels?

Eastern Gray Squirrel: Gray or salt-and-pepper dorsal fur with a white or cream belly, distinctive large bushy tail with alternating dark and white bands (especially visible from below), ear tufts in winter, and a stocky build (18-20 inches head-to-tail). Body weight 400-600 grams.

Red Squirrel: Rusty-red to reddish-brown back and sides, white eye ring that contrasts with dark face, white underside, prominent ear tufts year-round, smaller body (14-16 inches head-to-tail), and a distinctly thinner tail than Eastern grays. Weighs 200-350 grams. Often hyperactive and vocal.

Southern Flying Squirrel: Grayish-brown back, pure white belly, very large dark eyes adapted for night vision, flattened tail (lacks the bushy appearance), and a furry membrane (patagium) stretching from wrist to ankle. Smallest species at 8-10 inches head-to-tail, weighing only 40-90 grams. Nocturnal, rarely seen without effort.

Look-alikes: Chipmunks have dark face stripes and back stripes, making them easily distinguished. Black squirrels (melanistic Eastern grays) are entirely dark and occur in some Providence neighborhoods; they are the same species with a genetic color variant.

3. Where in Rhode Island can you most reliably spot squirrels?

Eastern Gray Squirrels: Ubiquitous in Providence, Warwick, and suburban neighborhoods. Try Roger Williams Park (Providence), Slatersville Mill area (Woonsocket), and any mature oak or hickory forest. Common in residential yards, parks, and shade trees along sidewalks.

Red Squirrels: Northern and western RI forests, particularly Arcadia Management Area (near Hopkinton) with its pine and hemlock stands, Worden Pond area, and mixed coniferous sections of Audubon Society refuges. Look in evergreen stands and along forest edges.

Southern Flying Squirrels: Mature deciduous and mixed forests requiring large cavity trees and dead snags for nesting. Audubon's Asa and Anstiss Cabot Wildlife Refuge near Smithfield has suitable habitat. Best observed at dusk by listening for soft chattering and scanning tree cavities with red-filtered lights at night.

For more Rhode Island wildlife spotting tips, see ourstate wildlife hub. Visit ourstate animal guidefor the next step.

4. When is the best time of year for squirrel sightings?

Fall (September-November): Peak visibility as squirrels cache nuts and are highly active in daylight. Look for them running on the ground carrying acorns and visiting feeders repeatedly. Early morning and late afternoon are most productive.

Winter (December-February): All species remain active year-round (no hibernation). Eastern grays visit feeders frequently. Listen for bark stripping on young trees, a winter feeding behavior. Look for tracks in snow, and watch frozen ponds where squirrels sometimes cross. Flying squirrels may be heard on mild nights.

Spring (March-May): Young squirrels venture out in April and May after den emergence. Increased vocal activity and territorial chasing. Moderate sighting frequency.

Summer (June-August): Lower visibility during midday heat. Focus on dawn and dusk periods. Pups fledge from nests in June-July, creating activity surges in late morning and evening. Evening feeding is pronounced in July and August.

5. How can you tell a gray squirrel from other lookalikes?

Gray vs. Red: Red squirrels are half the size, have rusty coloring instead of gray, possess distinctive year-round ear tufts, and a white eye ring. Reds are far more vocal and aggressive at feeders.

Gray vs. Flying Squirrel: Flying squirrels are nocturnal and tiny (one-fifth the weight). Grays are active by day, large, and loud. Flying squirrels glide; grays climb and jump.

Fox Squirrels: Not found in Rhode Island, so misidentification is not a concern.

Melanistic Variant: Black squirrels occurring in some Rhode Island neighborhoods are Eastern grays with melanism (dark pigmentation). They behave identically to gray individuals and interbreed freely.

Chipmunks vs. Red Squirrels: Chipmunks are much smaller with striped faces and backs, shorter tails held upright, and cheek pouches. Reds lack face stripes and have bushier tails.

6. What do flying squirrels look like and where do they hide?

Southern flying squirrels are tiny, weighing only 1-3 ounces, with enormous dark eyes occupying much of the face. A furry membrane stretches from wrist to ankle, giving them a kite-like profile during glides. Their tail is flattened (not bushy) and acts as a rudder. Fur is soft and grayish-brown on top, pure white below.

Flying squirrels live in tree cavities, abandoned woodpecker holes, and nest boxes installed in mature forests. A single tree cavity may shelter a roosting group of 5-10 individuals in winter for warmth. They hunt nocturnally for seeds, fungi, and insects. Rhode Island populations are present but elusive.

To observe flying squirrels, install a nest box (4x4 inch entrance, mounted 10-15 feet high) in a mature forest and use a red-filtered flashlight at night. They are more often heard, soft trills and chirps, than seen. Scan tree cavities at dusk as they emerge to forage.

7. Show your squirrel pride with wildlife-themed gear

After identifying your backyard squirrels, wear your enthusiasm with our squirrel t-shirts. Here are a couple of favorites:

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

This high-quality 100% cotton tee features a detailed gray squirrel print, perfect for casual wear or as a conversation starter. The design is only on the front, keeping it clean and simple.Check Price and Availability

Squirrel Lover Vintage T-Shirt

A classic vintage-style design for squirrel lovers. Affordable and comfortable, it's a great option for park outings or casual wildlife walks.Check Price and Availability

Browse our full collection ofsquirrel t-shirtsfor more designs.

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

8. How do Rhode Island squirrel species differ in behavior and habitat preference?

Eastern gray squirrels are generalists, thriving in any environment with nuts and trees. They are active during the day, highly social at feeders and in groups, and adapt readily to human landscapes. Communication through tail flicks, ear movements, and vocalizations ranging from quiet chuckles to loud alarm barks helps them coordinate group feeding and warn of danger.

Reds are specialists, requiring coniferous or mixed forests and defending exclusive territories noisily against rivals. They are hyperactive and less social than grays, producing sharp, repetitive alarm calls ('tsk-tsk-tsk') and chasing intruders away from their territories.

Flying squirrels are solitary, nocturnal, and highly specialized forest dwellers with soft chirping calls heard only at night. Grays build visible leaf nests (dreys) in tree forks; reds use smaller, hidden nests; flying squirrels occupy tree cavities or nest boxes exclusively.

In Rhode Island's mix of suburban and forested habitats, Eastern grays dominate the human zone while red and flying squirrels persist in remaining forest patches. These three species rarely compete because they occupy different time niches (day vs. night) and forest types (deciduous vs. coniferous).

9. What do Rhode Island squirrels eat, and how do they cache for winter?

Eastern Gray Squirrels: Acorns (oak seeds) are the primary fall food, supplemented by hickory nuts, black walnuts, pine seeds, seeds from maples and elms, mushrooms, and garden vegetables. They scatter-hoard, burying thousands of individual nuts across yards and forests in autumn. They do not remember most caches; forgotten nuts germinate, dispersing trees naturally. Grays will visit feeders for sunflower seeds and corn year-round. Body mass increases 10-20% before winter to prepare for reduced food availability.

Red Squirrels: Prefer the seeds of conifers (pine, spruce, hemlock cones), supplemented by acorns where available. They are efficient cone strippers and create midden piles of cone scales at favored feeding spots. Reds create larger, organized food caches in a central larder rather than scatter-hoarding, requiring several smaller storage locations.

Southern Flying Squirrels: Omnivorous on nuts, seeds, fungi (including truffles), insects, and bird eggs. They cache less aggressively than tree squirrels.

All Rhode Island squirrels remain active throughout winter without hibernation, relying on cached food to survive the frozen months. Scattered caches, especially from gray squirrels, contribute significantly to forest regeneration across the state by dispersing acorns and seeds across the landscape.

10. Are there black squirrels in Rhode Island?

Yes, melanistic (black) Eastern gray squirrels appear regularly in Rhode Island, particularly in the Providence area and some parks. Melanism is a genetic trait that increases dark pigmentation. Black squirrels are the same species as gray squirrels and interbreed freely. They have the same behavior, diet, and lifespan. Some populations show higher frequencies of black individuals due to local breeding populations. A black squirrel and a gray squirrel in the same yard are likely siblings or close relatives.

11. Do squirrels hibernate in Rhode Island winters?

No. Eastern gray squirrels and red squirrels remain active throughout Rhode Island winters, relying entirely on cached food, supplemental feeder use, and whatever fresh food they find (tree bark, evergreen seeds, mushrooms under snow). They do not enter true hibernation or torpor.

Southern flying squirrels may enter torpor (a state of reduced metabolism) on extremely cold nights but emerge and forage on milder days. Up to 20 individuals huddle together in communal nests during the coldest weather, sharing body heat for survival. All three Rhode Island squirrel species are adapted to winter activity, and sightings are common even in January and February.

Regular feeding (peanuts, seeds) at backyard feeders provides critical supplement calories during the harshest weeks, particularly after heavy snow that buries natural caches.

12. What is the best bait for squirrel watching or feeding in Rhode Island?

Most attractive: Unsalted peanuts in the shell, sunflower seeds (black oil variety preferred), and corn (dried or fresh). Place these on a platform feeder or a wooden stump near a window for easy viewing. Refill every few days, especially in winter and early spring.

Moderation tip: Consistent feeding can concentrate squirrels in one yard, increasing territory disputes and attracting predators. Check Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management guidelines on wildlife feeding before establishing a permanent feeder.

Observe and note: Watch feeder activity throughout the day to record seasonal patterns. Fall visits spike as squirrels cache nearby nuts. Winter visits increase for supplement feeding. Spring visits taper as natural food becomes available again. This annual rhythm is typical for all three Rhode Island squirrel species.