Squirrels in Tennessee: identification guide and where to start looking
Yes, Tennessee has three common squirrel species that you can reliably identify once you know what to look for: the eastern gray, the fox squirrel, and the red squirrel. The eastern gray dominates urban and suburban areas, with its slender build, white-tipped tail, and gray coat. The fox squirrel is the heavyweight, chunky and reddish-brown, and appears in open woodlands and parks. The red squirrel, smaller and more aggressive, prefers mature forests in the mountains. Most people confuse these three or mistake them for chipmunks and groundhogs, but a few key markers, tail size, body length, fur color, and habitat, will help you nail the ID every time. Start your search in the morning or late afternoon when they are most active, and focus on deciduous forests, parks, and backyards with nut-bearing trees.
By Tim, founder of Easy Street Markets. I maintain the wildlife database and verify every animal and source myself. Updated July 2, 2026.
Diet, source GloBI
What squirrels eat
Recorded prey and food of the squirrel, from the Global Biotic Interactions database, limited to species that occur in the United States. This is what squirrels have actually been observed eating, not a list for any one place.
- American elm
- American hophornbeam
- American subevergreen oak complex
- apple
- box elder
- common hazel
- Common Sunflower
- eastern white pine
- Elaphomyces granulatus
- European beech
- green ash
- Hard Maples
- northern red oak
- red maple
Feeding records from the Global Biotic Interactions (GloBI) database. Common names resolved from iNaturalist.
Yes, Tennessee has three common squirrel species that you can reliably identify once you know what to look for: the eastern gray, the fox squirrel, and the red squirrel. The eastern gray dominates urban and suburban areas, with its slender build, white-tipped tail, and gray coat. The fox squirrel is the heavyweight, chunky and reddish-brown, and appears in open woodlands and parks. The red squirrel, smaller and more aggressive, prefers mature forests in the mountains. Most people confuse these three or mistake them for chipmunks and groundhogs, but a few key markers, tail size, body length, fur color, and habitat, will help you nail the ID every time. Start your search in the morning or late afternoon when they are most active, and focus on deciduous forests, parks, and backyards with nut-bearing trees.
1. What are the key ID markers for Tennessee squirrels?
The eastern gray squirrel is the most common. Look for a slender body, 9-12 inches long, with a bushy tail edged in white. The fox squirrel is chunkier (10-15 inches) with a reddish brown to gray coat and a broad, fluffy tail. In higher parts of the state, the red squirrel is smaller (6-8 inches) with a reddish back and white belly. Check ourgeneral squirrel identification pagefor side-by-side comparisons.
In Tennessee, 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. Which lookalikes might confuse my squirrel identification?
Chipmunks are smaller, have stripes on their face and back, and scurry close to the ground. Groundhogs are much larger and waddle rather than climb. The least weasel is sometimes mistaken for a red squirrel but lacks the bushy tail. Focus on tail size and tree-climbing behavior to separate squirrels from other small mammals.
3. Where in Tennessee do people most often spot squirrels?
Statewide, squirrels are everywhere with trees. The greatest density is in deciduous forests like the Cherokee National Forest and Great Smoky Mountains National Park. City parks in Nashville, Memphis, and Knoxville also have active populations. Backyard feeders in suburbs draw them year-round. Find more regional tips on ourTennessee wildlife hub.
See ourstate animal guidefor the next step.
4. What is the best season or time window for confident sightings?
Squirrels are active year-round, but fall (September to November) offers the best viewing as they gather and store nuts. Early morning (sunrise to 10 a.m.) and late afternoon (3 p.m. to sunset) are peak activity times. Winter mornings after a cold night also push them to forage actively. Spring brings a second peak when young emerge from nests.
5. How can I attract squirrels for closer observation?
Set up a feeder with unsalted peanuts, black oil sunflower seeds, or corn kernels near a window or porch. Place it about 10 feet from cover so they feel safe. Quiet observation from a distance works best. Once they trust the spot, you can watch their feeding behavior and note individual markings.
6. Which squirrel-themed shirts are worth checking out?
After a day of spotting, show off your enthusiasm with a shirt that matches your find. The **Wild Wings Wildlife T-Shirt Gray Squirrel** fits both men and women with a front-only graphic. It's made from 100% cotton.
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This hand-made tee features a realistic gray squirrel design printed on the front. Perfect for wearing on your next woods walk.Check Price and Availability
Squirrel Lover Vintage T-Shirt
A classic retro design for anyone who appreciates these busy rodents. Budget friendly and lightweight.Check Price and Availability
See more options in ourwildlife t-shirt collection.
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A strong match for this wildlife page and an easy next click after the guide.Check Price and Availability
7. Are there flying squirrels in Tennessee?
Yes, the southern flying squirrel lives in Tennessee's mature forests. It is nocturnal and has a flap of skin (patagium) between its front and back legs. You are unlikely to see one during the day, but they glide between trees at night. Their large, dark eyes help distinguish them from gray squirrels.
8. What should I do if I find a baby squirrel?
First, check if the mother is nearby. If the baby is uninjured and warm, place it in a shallow box near the tree. Do not feed it. Contact a licensed wildlife rehabilitator in your county. In Tennessee, the TWRA website lists permitted rescuers. Never keep a wild squirrel as a pet.
See ourtour planning ideasfor the next step.
9. How do you distinguish an eastern gray from a fox squirrel at a distance?
At 50 feet, the size difference is the quickest tell. Fox squirrels look chunky and substantial, gray squirrels look lean and quick. Fox squirrels often sit on the ground or low branches, while grays move higher in the canopy. The tail on a fox squirrel is wider and bushier, held up at an angle. A gray squirrel's tail stays more slender and often drapes over its back or body. In mixed woodlands, if you see a large, reddish squirrel, assume fox squirrel. If it's gray and moves with nervous energy, assume eastern gray.
10. What do the tails tell you about which species you are looking at?
Tail shape and color are the fastest identifiers once you train your eye. The eastern gray squirrel has a white-tipped tail with a silvery or frosted appearance, slender and flag-like. The fox squirrel's tail is much thicker, longer, and can range from rust-red to grizzled gray, with no white tips. The red squirrel has a small, compressed tail with ear tufts that are more noticeable in winter. If you are 20 feet away and can see the tail detail, you can usually rule out chipmunks (which have thin, striped tails) and groundhogs (which have very short tails).
11. What behavior differences help you confirm species identity?
Eastern gray squirrels are vocal and social, often in groups, with rapid chattering calls when alarmed. Fox squirrels are more solitary and quieter, moving deliberately through trees and on the ground. Red squirrels are aggressive and loud, defending territory with harsh chatter. Grays are quick and acrobatic, fox squirrels lumber and climb more cautiously, and red squirrels dart and twitch. Watch movement style for 30 seconds and you will narrow your ID even before you check color or tail.
12. What common mistakes do people make when identifying Tennessee squirrels?
The most common error is thinking every gray squirrel is eastern gray. Tennessee also has gray fox squirrels, which are just as large and chunky as reddish fox squirrels but lack color. The second mistake is assuming a squirrel in a tree is automatically not a fox squirrel, when both species climb. The third is mistaking a young gray squirrel, which is smaller and drabber, for a red squirrel or chipmunk. Always check tail size and body mass together, not color alone. If you are unsure after 30 seconds, move on and note the details you did see. Come back with binoculars or stay longer next time to rule out the less common species.
Gear and field guides
Frequently asked questions
How do you identify squirrels in Tennessee?+
The eastern gray squirrel is the most common. Look for a slender body, 9-12 inches long, with a bushy tail edged in white. The fox squirrel is chunkier (10-15 inches) with a reddish brown to gray coat and a broad, fluffy tail. In higher parts of the state, the red squirrel is smaller (6-8 inches) with a reddish back and white belly. Check ourgeneral squirrel identification pagefor side-by-side comparisons. In Tennessee, 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.
What do squirrels look like in Tennessee?+
The eastern gray squirrel is the most common. Look for a slender body, 9-12 inches long, with a bushy tail edged in white. The fox squirrel is chunkier (10-15 inches) with a reddish brown to gray coat and a broad, fluffy tail. In higher parts of the state, the red squirrel is smaller (6-8 inches) with a reddish back and white belly. Check ourgeneral squirrel identification pagefor side-by-side comparisons. In Tennessee, 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.
Where can you see squirrels in Tennessee?+
The eastern gray squirrel is the most common. Look for a slender body, 9-12 inches long, with a bushy tail edged in white. The fox squirrel is chunkier (10-15 inches) with a reddish brown to gray coat and a broad, fluffy tail. In higher parts of the state, the red squirrel is smaller (6-8 inches) with a reddish back and white belly. Check ourgeneral squirrel identification pagefor side-by-side comparisons. In Tennessee, 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.
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