Eastern gray squirrel

(Sciurus carolinensis)

The eastern gray squirrel is native to central and eastern North America. It is not native in B.C. They are present in the Lower Mainland, Vancouver Island and the Southern Interior. These non-native squirrels are in the South Okanagan which means they are very close to the Boundary.

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Identification:

Eastern gray squirrels vary in colour from light grey to black. They have large bushy tails. It leaves tracks in the snow that look like two exclamation marks !! They are very fast and can reach speeds of 25 km/h.

Impacts:

Eastern gray squirrels are larger than our native squirrels. They are competition for food and habitat with native squirrels and they also carry diseases that affect native squirrel populations. They also displace native birds and eat their eggs and babies. Eastern gray squirrels are also competition for native mice and voles

Prevention:

The best way to prevent the spread of the eastern gray squirrel is to not relocate them. If you spot eastern gray squirrels in the Boundary please contact us.

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