Eastern Gray Squirrel
Sciurus carolinensis
One of the most common wildlife species we rehabilitate, especially orphaned babies in spring and fall. These acrobatic rodents are essential for forest regeneration through their seed-caching behavior.
Habitat
Abundant in hardwood and mixed forests, parks, and suburban neighborhoods across Louisiana. They build large nests called "dreys" from leaves and twigs high in trees, and also use tree cavities. They are highly adaptable to urban environments.
Diet
Primarily herbivorous, eating nuts (especially acorns and hickory), seeds, tree buds, bark, fungi, and occasionally insects or bird eggs. They cache thousands of nuts each fall, and their "forgotten" caches help regenerate forests by planting new trees.
Behavior
Diurnal (active during day), most active in early morning and late afternoon. They do not hibernate but may stay in nests during extreme weather. Squirrels are highly territorial and communicate through tail movements and vocalizations. They can jump up to 10 times their body length.
What To Do If You Find One
- 1Baby squirrels on the ground may be waiting for mom - observe from a distance for 4-6 hours
- 2If the baby is cold, injured, or covered in flies, it needs immediate help
- 3Place a warm water bottle wrapped in cloth near fallen babies to keep them warm while waiting
- 4A baby squirrel that approaches humans is likely desperate and needs help
- 5Keep cats and dogs away from the area while waiting for the mother to return
Fun Facts
Squirrels can find buried nuts by smell, even under a foot of snow
They plant thousands of trees each year by forgetting where they buried nuts
Their ankle joints rotate 180 degrees, allowing them to climb down trees headfirst
Squirrels have four front teeth that never stop growing
They can fall from heights of 100 feet without injury due to their body/tail design
A squirrel's brain is roughly the size of a walnut
