8 Types of Squirrels in Montana (With Pictures and Identification)

Montana’s wild landscapes are filled with movement, and few animals capture that motion as playfully and energetically as squirrels. From the dense conifer forests of the mountains to the open grasslands of the valleys, these small mammals occupy nearly every corner of the state. Their constant chatter, swift climbing, and curious personalities make them some of Montana’s most noticeable wildlife.

Although many people recognize only the common Red Squirrel or the large Eastern Fox Squirrel, Montana is home to a surprisingly diverse group of squirrel species. Tree squirrels, flying squirrels, chipmunks, and ground squirrels each bring their own behaviors, sizes, and habitat preferences. Some glide silently through the night, others dart across meadows in daylight, and some vanish underground for most of the year.

This guide introduces eight of the most interesting squirrel species found in Montana. With clear identification tips, habitat insights, and fun facts, you’ll be able to recognize these mammals more easily as you explore forests, trails, and parks throughout the state.

Different Types of Squirrels Found in Montana

Red Squirrel (Tamiasciurus hudsonicus)

The Red Squirrel is a small, energetic species commonly found in Montana’s conifer forests. It has a reddish-brown coat, a white belly, and a bushy tail that helps it balance while climbing. Its sharp, chattering calls can often be heard echoing through the woods, making it one of the most vocal squirrels in the region.

This species measures about 11 to 13 inches long, including the tail, and is more compact than Montana’s larger tree squirrels. Red Squirrels are quick and agile, moving rapidly through treetops and across fallen logs. They rely heavily on evergreen seeds and cones but also eat mushrooms, nuts, berries, and even small bird eggs.

Red Squirrels are widespread in western and mountainous parts of Montana, especially in spruce, fir, and pine forests. They build large cone-shaped middens where they store thousands of pine cones for winter. These storage piles are often a key sign of their presence even when the squirrels are not visible.

A fun fact is that a single Red Squirrel can store enough cones to feed itself for an entire winter, sometimes creating middens that last for years and are reused by multiple generations.

Eastern Fox Squirrel (Sciurus niger)

The Eastern Fox Squirrel is the largest tree squirrel in Montana and is easily recognized by its rusty-orange fur and long, sweeping tail. Its grizzled gray and reddish coloration helps it blend into both woodland and suburban environments. Fox Squirrels are bold and confident, often seen foraging on the ground.

This species measures 18 to 27 inches in total length, making it significantly larger than Red or Gray Squirrels. Their size allows them to crack harder nuts, and they have strong climbing abilities despite spending much time on the ground. They feed on acorns, seeds, fruits, insects, and agricultural crops when available.

In Montana, Eastern Fox Squirrels are common in towns, farms, riparian woodlands, and open forests. They thrive in areas with scattered trees, including city parks and residential neighborhoods. Their adaptability has helped them expand across much of the eastern and central portions of the state.

A fun fact is that Fox Squirrels have excellent memory for buried food caches. They use spatial landmarks to relocate stored nuts even months after hiding them.

Eastern Gray Squirrel (Sciurus carolinensis)

The Eastern Gray Squirrel is known for its sleek gray coat, bushy tail, and lively behavior. Although not as widespread in Montana as Fox Squirrels, they are easily recognized by their silver-gray fur and white underbelly. Their expressive tail movements and agile climbing make them entertaining to watch.

Gray Squirrels measure about 15 to 20 inches long and have superb balance thanks to their flexible ankles, which can rotate up to 180 degrees. This feature allows them to climb down tree trunks headfirst. Their diet includes nuts, seeds, buds, fungi, and occasional insects or bird eggs.

In Montana, Eastern Gray Squirrels have a patchy distribution, found mostly in urban parks, residential areas, and river corridors in the eastern part of the state. They favor hardwood forests and areas with mature oaks and maples. Despite their limited range, they are well established where suitable habitat exists.

A fun fact about Gray Squirrels is that their winter nests, called dreys, are tightly woven with leaves and twigs and can be surprisingly warm and weatherproof, even during Montana’s cold season.

Northern Flying Squirrel (Glaucomys sabrinus)

The Northern Flying Squirrel is a nocturnal species that glides silently between trees using a membrane of skin stretched from wrist to ankle. It has large dark eyes, soft brown fur, and a flattened tail that helps it steer while gliding. Although rarely seen in daylight, its presence is widespread in suitable forest habitat.

This squirrel measures about 10 to 12 inches long and is lightweight, which helps it glide distances of up to 150 feet. It is primarily active at night, feeding on fungi, lichens, seeds, insects, and even truffles. Its reliance on fungi makes it an important contributor to forest health through spore dispersal.

In Montana, Northern Flying Squirrels are found mainly in dense conifer forests in the western and mountainous regions. They nest in tree cavities, abandoned woodpecker holes, and sometimes nest boxes. Their quiet nocturnal habits make them one of the most secretive squirrels in the state.

A fun fact is that flying squirrels do not truly fly. Instead, they glide in controlled arcs, adjusting their patagium and tail to land with impressive accuracy on tree trunks.

Southern Flying Squirrel (Glaucomys volans)

The Southern Flying Squirrel is extremely rare in Montana, with only scattered records from areas where hardwood trees are present. It resembles its northern cousin but is slightly smaller, with silky gray-brown fur, a pale belly, and large dark eyes suited for nocturnal life. Its lightweight build and gliding membrane allow it to move silently between trees.

This species measures about 8 to 10 inches long, making it one of the smallest tree squirrels in North America. It glides shorter distances than the Northern Flying Squirrel but is just as agile in the forest canopy. Its diet includes nuts, seeds, insects, fungi, and occasionally bird eggs, depending on seasonal availability.

In Montana, the Southern Flying Squirrel is considered extremely limited in range, appearing mostly in rare pockets of mixed forests in the far eastern or southeastern parts of the state. Its presence is difficult to confirm due to its nocturnal habits and preference for dense cover. Tree cavities and old woodpecker holes provide essential nesting sites.

A fun fact is that Southern Flying Squirrels often live in communal winter nests. Groups of many individuals huddle together to conserve heat during cold nights.

Least Chipmunk (Neotamias minimus)

The Least Chipmunk is the smallest member of the squirrel family in Montana and one of the most widespread. It has distinct dark and light stripes running from its nose to its tail, creating the classic chipmunk pattern. Its tiny size and constant energy make it a lively presence in many habitats.

Measuring only 7 to 9 inches long including the tail, the Least Chipmunk is built for quick movements and agility. It feeds on seeds, nuts, berries, insects, and occasionally small fruits. Unlike tree squirrels, it often forages on the ground, storing food in cheek pouches before carrying it back to burrows.

Across Montana, the Least Chipmunk occupies a wide range of environments including sagebrush flats, forests, rocky slopes, and suburban edges. Its adaptability makes it one of the most frequently observed small mammals in the state. It builds complex burrow systems where it stores food and seeks shelter.

A fun fact about the Least Chipmunk is that despite its small size, it can store hundreds of seeds in its cheek pouches, making it an efficient forager in open landscapes.

Yellow-pine Chipmunk (Neotamias amoenus)

The Yellow-pine Chipmunk is a colorful chipmunk species found primarily in western Montana. It features reddish-brown fur with strong dark stripes down its back and a white stripe above each eye. Its vibrant coloration and active behavior make it easy to distinguish from other chipmunks.

This species measures about 8 to 10 inches long and is slightly larger than the Least Chipmunk. It feeds on seeds, berries, insects, and tender vegetation. Yellow-pine Chipmunks spend much of their time climbing low shrubs and logs, using their agility to escape predators and search for food.

They inhabit montane forests, shrubby slopes, and rocky outcroppings in western and mountainous regions of Montana. Their presence is closely linked to pine and fir forests, where they build burrows under logs, rocks, or dense vegetation. These habitats provide both food and protection throughout the warmer months.

A fun fact is that Yellow-pine Chipmunks play an important role in seed dispersal. By storing seeds in multiple caches, they unintentionally help forests regenerate and spread native plants.

Uinta Ground Squirrel (Urocitellus armatus)

The Uinta Ground Squirrel is a medium-sized ground-dwelling squirrel recognized by its gray-brown coat and short tail. It spends most of its time on the ground, emerging in early spring to feed actively before retreating to underground burrows. Its sharp alarm calls are a common sound in open areas.

This species measures 11 to 12 inches long and is well adapted to life in open landscapes. It feeds on grasses, roots, seeds, insects, and wildflowers. Uinta Ground Squirrels are diurnal and spend much of the day foraging or standing upright to scan for predators.

In Montana, they are widespread in grasslands, meadows, pastures, and open valleys, particularly in southwestern and central regions. Their colonies create visible networks of burrows that are used throughout their active season. They are only above ground for a brief portion of the year.

A fun fact is that Uinta Ground Squirrels hibernate for most of their lives. Adults may spend as little as four months each year above ground and spend the rest in deep hibernation below the surface.

Best Time and Places to See Squirrels in Montana

Montana offers excellent squirrel-watching opportunities throughout the year, but the timing varies depending on the species. Tree squirrels such as Red Squirrels, Eastern Fox Squirrels, and Eastern Gray Squirrels are active year-round and most visible during early morning and late afternoon. Flying squirrels are nocturnal, so the best time to detect them is after sunset, often with the help of red-light flashlights to minimize disturbance. Ground squirrels, including the Uinta Ground Squirrel, are only active in spring and summer and disappear into hibernation by late July or August.

The best places to observe squirrels depend on habitat. Conifer forests in western Montana are ideal for Red Squirrels, Northern Flying Squirrels, and Yellow-pine Chipmunks. Towns, parks, and farmlands across eastern and central Montana offer the highest chances of spotting Eastern Fox Squirrels and Eastern Gray Squirrels. Open meadows, sagebrush flats, and grasslands in southwest and central regions are excellent for Uinta Ground Squirrels and Least Chipmunks. Mixed deciduous forests in rare southeastern pockets may occasionally host Southern Flying Squirrels.

Patience and quiet movement make squirrel-watching more rewarding. Early hours provide the most activity, and late spring offers peak visibility for chipmunks and ground squirrels. Observing natural food sources such as pine stands, berry patches, and oak trees can greatly increase your chances.

FAQs About Squirrels in Montana

Which squirrel species is most common in Montana?

Red Squirrels and Least Chipmunks are among the most widespread. Red Squirrels dominate conifer forests, while Least Chipmunks appear in nearly every habitat across the state.

Are flying squirrels found in Montana?

Yes. Northern Flying Squirrels are fairly common in western Montana’s dense forests. Southern Flying Squirrels occur only rarely and in very limited areas.

When can I see Uinta Ground Squirrels?

They are visible only during spring and early summer. By late summer they return to their burrows and enter hibernation for the rest of the year.

Do squirrels hibernate in Montana?

Most tree squirrels do not hibernate, but ground squirrels like the Uinta Ground Squirrel spend most of the year underground in deep hibernation.

Are chipmunks considered squirrels?

Yes. Chipmunks belong to the squirrel family (Sciuridae) even though they differ in size and behavior. They are closely related to tree squirrels and ground squirrels.

Conclusion

Montana’s varied landscapes create a rich environment for an impressive range of squirrel species. From pine-dwelling Red Squirrels to energetic chipmunks and elusive flying squirrels, each species brings unique behaviors and ecological roles to the state’s forests, meadows, and towns.

Understanding where and when to look adds depth to every wildlife outing and makes each sighting more memorable. Whether you are exploring mountain trails, grassland valleys, or neighborhood parks, Montana’s squirrels offer endless opportunities for observation and appreciation.