11 Types of Squirrels in Wisconsin (With Pictures and Identification)

Squirrels in Wisconsin are available many species, every displaying distinct colours, sizes, and behaviors that replicate their distinctive diversifications. From the nimble chipmunks to the bigger fox squirrels, these creatures are an integral a part of the native wildlife.

These squirrels play essential roles within the ecosystem, serving to with seed dispersal and offering meals for predators. They are often noticed in forests, city parks, and even backyards throughout the state, every tailored to thrive in its most well-liked surroundings.

This information covers 11 sorts of squirrels present in Wisconsin, with particulars on their identification, food plan, habitat, and attention-grabbing details that can assist you acknowledge them within the wild.

Frequent Squirrels Present in Wisconsin

Jap Grey Squirrel (Sciurus carolinensis)

The Jap Grey Squirrel is without doubt one of the commonest and simply acknowledged squirrels in Wisconsin. Its fur is predominantly grey, usually with a touch of brown on the again, and a white or pale underbelly. The fuzzy tail is edged with white hairs, including to its placing look. Adults sometimes measure 16 to twenty inches in whole size, together with a tail that may be 7 to 10 inches lengthy, and so they weigh between 1 and 1.5 kilos.

By way of habits, Jap Grey Squirrels are extremely adaptable and energetic throughout the day, notably within the early morning and late afternoon. They’re agile climbers, able to leaping a number of toes between branches. Throughout winter, they don’t hibernate however could keep of their nests for a number of days throughout harsh climate. Their nests, known as dreys, are often constructed excessive in deciduous timber and are constructed from leaves and twigs.

Their food plan in Wisconsin is numerous, together with acorns, walnuts, hickory nuts, seeds, buds, fungi, and the occasional insect or hen egg. In autumn, they’re well-known for burying nuts in scattered caches to eat throughout winter—a habits that inadvertently helps in forest regeneration. Grey squirrels use their glorious reminiscence and sense of odor to recuperate many of those saved nuts, although some stay buried and sprout into new timber.

In Wisconsin, Jap Grey Squirrels thrive in each city parks and mature hardwood forests, notably these dominated by oak, hickory, and maple. A enjoyable reality is that they exhibit “misleading caching,” pretending to bury a nut whereas truly hiding it of their mouth, to trick potential meals thieves reminiscent of different squirrels or blue jays.

Fox Squirrel (Sciurus niger)

The Fox Squirrel is the biggest tree squirrel species present in Wisconsin, with a physique size of 10 to fifteen inches and a tail size of 8 to 13 inches. Adults can weigh as much as 2.5 kilos. Their fur is mostly rusty orange or reddish-brown on the physique, with a paler stomach and a thick, bushy tail edged in black and orange. The identify “fox” refers to their coloration, which may resemble that of a pink fox.

Fox Squirrels are extra ground-oriented than different tree squirrels, spending vital time foraging on lawns, fields, and forest edges. They’re most energetic within the early morning and late afternoon, utilizing their robust hind legs to make spectacular leaps and their sharp claws for climbing. In contrast to grey squirrels, fox squirrels are sometimes solitary, besides throughout the breeding season or when elevating younger.

Their food plan in Wisconsin consists of acorns, walnuts, corn, seeds, berries, fungi, and infrequently bugs or small hen eggs. In agricultural areas, they could forage on waste grain and are generally seen feeding on suet or birdseed in yard feeders. In addition they bury nuts in scattered areas, which helps plant new timber in rural and suburban areas.

Fox Squirrels choose open woodlands, forest edges, and areas with scattered mature timber. In Wisconsin, they’re generally seen in rural farmland areas and alongside woodland borders. A enjoyable reality is that their jaw muscle tissue are so robust that they will chew by hickory nuts and even black walnuts, which have among the hardest shells within the nut world.

American Purple Squirrel (Tamiasciurus hudsonicus)

The American Purple Squirrel is a small however feisty squirrel, measuring 11 to 14 inches lengthy, together with its 4 to 6-inch tail. It weighs solely 7 to 9 ounces, however its daring habits usually makes it appear a lot bigger. Its fur is a wealthy reddish-brown on the again, with a white stomach and a faint black line alongside the perimeters throughout summer season. In winter, their coat turns into thicker and grayer, however the tail stays reddish.

Purple Squirrels are extremely territorial and can aggressively defend their house vary from different squirrels and even birds. They produce a fast, chattering name to warn intruders. In Wisconsin, they’re particularly widespread in northern coniferous and blended forests. They’re agile climbers, shifting rapidly by the treetops in quest of meals and nesting websites.

Their food plan facilities closely round seeds from conifer timber, notably white pine and spruce. In addition they eat nuts, berries, fungi, and infrequently bugs or hen eggs. Purple squirrels are recognized for creating giant meals caches known as “middens,” the place they retailer cones and seeds for winter. These middens can develop to spectacular sizes over time and are important to the squirrel’s survival throughout the snowy months.

In Wisconsin, the American Purple Squirrel is most frequently encountered in forested state parks, northern woodlands, and areas with dense pine stands. A enjoyable reality is that they generally retailer mushrooms by impaling them on tree branches to dry earlier than consuming—a habits distinctive amongst squirrels in North America.

Northern Flying Squirrel (Glaucomys sabrinus)

The Northern Flying Squirrel is a nocturnal and elusive species, making it much less regularly seen by folks in Wisconsin. Adults measure 10 to 13 inches lengthy, with a 4 to 5-inch tail, and weigh between 3 and 5 ounces. Their fur is gentle and brownish-gray, with a white stomach, and so they have giant, darkish eyes tailored for night time imaginative and prescient. A key characteristic is the patagium, a furred membrane stretching from wrist to ankle, permitting them to glide between timber.

These squirrels are skilled gliders, able to protecting 50 to 150 toes in a single leap. They use their tail as a rudder to steer and stabilize within the air, touchdown with precision on their chosen tree trunk. They’re extremely social, usually nesting in teams throughout winter to share physique warmth. Nests are sometimes present in tree cavities, deserted woodpecker holes, or giant dreys product of moss, leaves, and bark.

Their food plan contains fungi, lichens, seeds, nuts, berries, and bugs. Fungi play a very essential function of their food plan and in forest well being, as flying squirrels assist disperse fungal spores that type symbiotic relationships with tree roots. In Wisconsin, they’re extra widespread in northern and central old-growth forests, notably the place spruce and hemlock are current.

A enjoyable reality is that the Northern Flying Squirrel is taken into account a “species of particular concern” in Wisconsin as a consequence of habitat loss. Their presence is usually detected by nocturnal surveys or by discovering their distinctive gliding paths between timber on moonlit nights.

Southern Flying Squirrel (Glaucomys volans)

The Southern Flying Squirrel is barely smaller than its northern cousin, measuring 8 to 10 inches in whole size, together with a 3 to 4-inch tail, and weighing about 2 to three ounces. Its fur is silky gray-brown on the again and white on the stomach, with giant black eyes and a flattened tail. Just like the Northern Flying Squirrel, it has a patagium for gliding, however its smaller measurement makes it much more agile within the air.

These squirrels are strictly nocturnal and are among the many most social of all squirrel species. They regularly nest collectively in teams throughout winter and talk utilizing high-pitched ultrasonic calls that people can not hear. Their nests are present in tree cavities, beneath unfastened bark, or in attics the place they generally shock owners.

Southern Flying Squirrels feed on a diverse food plan of nuts, seeds, berries, fungi, and bugs. They’re additionally recognized to eat hen eggs and nestlings now and again. In Wisconsin, they’re extra generally discovered within the southern and central components of the state, particularly in deciduous forests with plentiful oak, hickory, and beech timber.

A enjoyable reality is that regardless of being widespread, many Wisconsin residents have by no means seen a Southern Flying Squirrel within the wild as a consequence of its secretive, night-active way of life. Wildlife researchers usually use particular nest packing containers and night time cameras to check them, revealing that they will glide distances over 200 toes beneath superb situations.

13-Lined Floor Squirrel (Ictidomys tridecemlineatus)

The 13-Lined Floor Squirrel is a small, slender ground-dwelling species simply recognized by its distinctive coat. Its fur is mild brown with 13 alternating mild and darkish stripes working the size of its physique, some dotted and a few stable. Adults measure about 7 to 12 inches lengthy, together with a brief tail, and weigh between 4 and 9 ounces. Their compact physique and sharp claws are excellent for digging intricate burrow techniques.

These squirrels are diurnal, energetic throughout the day, and spend a lot of their time foraging on the bottom in open habitats. They’re glorious diggers, creating tunnels which will have a number of entrances for escape from predators. In contrast to tree squirrels, they’re true hibernators, spending almost seven months underground throughout Wisconsin’s chilly winter months.

Their food plan is very diverse, consisting of seeds, grasses, grains, bugs, and even small vertebrates like younger mice or small snakes. In agricultural areas of Wisconsin, they’re usually seen feeding on clover or seeds alongside discipline edges. Their opportunistic feeding helps them survive in environments the place plant-based meals isn’t all the time out there.

In Wisconsin, they’re commonest in prairies, open fields, golf programs, and roadside grassy areas. A enjoyable reality is that the 13-Lined Floor Squirrel is a superb sprinter, capable of dart into its burrow in lower than a second when startled—a survival adaptation towards hawks, foxes, and snakes.

Franklin’s Floor Squirrel (Poliocitellus franklinii)

Franklin’s Floor Squirrel is a medium-sized burrowing rodent with a chunky physique and quick tail. Its fur is a grizzled mixture of grey and brown, giving it a camouflaged look that blends nicely with tall grasses. Adults are sometimes 14 to 16 inches in size and weigh round 1 to 1.5 kilos, making them bigger than most different floor squirrels in Wisconsin.

This species is shy and fewer generally seen, because it spends a lot of its time hidden in tall vegetation. Franklin’s Floor Squirrels are additionally true hibernators, retreating to their burrows from late summer season or early fall till spring. They’re most energetic within the morning and late afternoon, foraging close to the protection of canopy.

Their food plan is omnivorous, together with seeds, fruits, leaves, bugs, hen eggs, and small vertebrates. They play an essential function of their ecosystem by aerating soil by their digging and serving as prey for coyotes, foxes, and raptors. In contrast to many floor squirrels, they like habitats with taller vegetation somewhat than open fields.

In Wisconsin, they’re most frequently discovered within the western and central components of the state, particularly close to prairies, previous fields, and woodland edges. A enjoyable reality is that Franklin’s Floor Squirrels are recognized for his or her capability to climb small shrubs and low timber in quest of berries, which is uncommon for many burrowing squirrels.

Woodchuck / Groundhog (Marmota monax)

The Woodchuck, also referred to as the Groundhog, is the biggest member of the squirrel household in Wisconsin. Adults measure 16 to 26 inches lengthy, with a bushy tail about 4 to 7 inches, and weigh 4 to 14 kilos. Their stocky construct, quick legs, and coarse brown fur give them a bear-like look on a small scale.

Woodchucks are true hibernators, spending the winter in deep underground burrows the place their physique temperature drops considerably to preserve power. In summer season, they’re most energetic within the early morning and late afternoon, spending a lot of the day basking within the solar or foraging. Their burrows usually have a number of entrances and might be a number of toes deep, with separate chambers for sleeping and waste.

They’re primarily herbivorous, consuming grasses, clover, dandelions, backyard greens, and infrequently bark or fruits. In agricultural and suburban areas, they will generally change into pests by raiding gardens or undermining buildings with their burrows. Nonetheless, their burrows additionally present shelter for different wildlife like rabbits, foxes, and snakes after they’re deserted.

In Wisconsin, Woodchucks are widespread in meadows, pastures, and woodland edges throughout the state. A enjoyable reality is that regardless of their identify, woodchucks don’t truly chuck wooden—the identify comes from the Algonquin phrase “wuchak,” which means “digger.”

Jap Chipmunk (Tamias striatus)

The Jap Chipmunk is a small, full of life rodent simply acknowledged by its reddish-brown fur, white stomach, and 5 darkish brown stripes separated by lighter bands alongside its again. Adults measure 8 to 10 inches lengthy, together with a 3 to 4-inch tail, and weigh between 2.5 and 4 ounces. Their giant cheek pouches are used to hold meals again to their burrows.

Chipmunks are energetic throughout the day, particularly within the morning and late afternoon. They stay in elaborate burrow techniques with separate chambers for nesting, meals storage, and waste. These burrows can lengthen over 30 toes in size and are often hidden beneath logs, stumps, or dense vegetation.

Their food plan contains acorns, seeds, berries, mushrooms, bugs, and infrequently hen eggs. They play an essential function in seed dispersal, serving to to regenerate forests by forgetting a few of their saved meals. Whereas they hibernate in winter, they wake sometimes to feed on saved meals inside their burrows.

In Wisconsin, Jap Chipmunks are present in deciduous forests, suburban yards, and parks statewide. A enjoyable reality is that their alarm name—a pointy “chip-chip-chip” sound—can alert different animals to the presence of predators like hawks or foxes.

Least Chipmunk (Neotamias minimus)

The Least Chipmunk is the smallest chipmunk species in Wisconsin, measuring solely 6 to eight inches lengthy, together with its tail, and weighing simply 1 to 2 ounces. It has a slender physique with daring stripes working from its nostril to its rump, together with on the top, which helps distinguish it from the Jap Chipmunk. Its fur ranges from grayish-brown to reddish, with a pale underside.

This chipmunk is very energetic and spends a lot of its time foraging on the bottom however can be an agile climber. It prefers extra open habitats than the Jap Chipmunk, together with forest edges, shrublands, and rocky areas. It is usually extra tolerant of dry habitats and might be present in sandy or grassy areas.

Its food plan consists of seeds, nuts, berries, bugs, and fungi. Like different chipmunks, it shops meals in underground caches to outlive the winter. It enters hibernation in late fall however wakes periodically to eat saved meals.

In Wisconsin, the Least Chipmunk is discovered primarily within the northern and central components of the state. A enjoyable reality is that regardless of its small measurement, it may possibly journey lengthy distances whereas foraging, generally venturing greater than half a mile from its burrow in quest of meals.

Door County Chipmunk (Tamias striatus doorsiensis)

The Door County Chipmunk is a regional subspecies of the Jap Chipmunk, discovered primarily in Door and Kewaunee counties of Wisconsin. It shares the final reddish-brown coloration and striped sample of the Jap Chipmunk however is usually barely smaller with delicate variations in stripe width and fur tone.

Its habits is similar to that of the Jap Chipmunk, with a diurnal exercise sample and a reliance on underground burrows for shelter and meals storage. It’s a ground-dwelling species however can climb shrubs and low branches in quest of berries and seeds.

The food plan can be comparable, together with nuts, seeds, berries, fungi, and bugs. Seasonal meals caching is crucial for surviving the winter months, as this chipmunk hibernates however wakes sometimes to eat saved meals.

This subspecies is restricted to a small geographic vary in northeastern Wisconsin, making it of native curiosity to naturalists. A enjoyable reality is that its restricted vary makes it notably delicate to habitat adjustments, and it could be a novel genetic variant tailored to the precise environmental situations of the Door Peninsula.

FAQs About Squirrels in Wisconsin

What sorts of squirrels stay in Wisconsin?

Wisconsin is house to a wide range of squirrel species, together with tree squirrels, flying squirrels, and floor squirrels. Frequent species embody the Jap Grey Squirrel, Fox Squirrel, American Purple Squirrel, Northern and Southern Flying Squirrels, 13-Lined Floor Squirrel, Franklin’s Floor Squirrel, and the Woodchuck. The state additionally has smaller family members within the squirrel household, such because the Jap Chipmunk, Least Chipmunk, and the regionally distinctive Door County Chipmunk.

Which squirrel species is the most typical in Wisconsin?

The Jap Grey Squirrel is the most typical and widespread squirrel in Wisconsin. It thrives in city parks, suburban neighborhoods, and hardwood forests. Its adaptability, diverse food plan, and caching habits make it well-suited to dwelling near people.

Are there flying squirrels in Wisconsin?

Sure, Wisconsin has two species of flying squirrels: the Northern Flying Squirrel and the Southern Flying Squirrel. These nocturnal gliders use a pores and skin membrane known as a patagium to glide between timber. The Northern species prefers older coniferous forests within the north, whereas the Southern species is extra widespread in southern and central hardwood forests.

Do squirrels in Wisconsin hibernate?

Tree squirrels just like the Jap Grey, Fox, and Purple Squirrels don’t hibernate; they continue to be energetic year-round, storing meals for winter. Nonetheless, some members of the squirrel household—such because the 13-Lined Floor Squirrel, Franklin’s Floor Squirrel, and Woodchuck—are true hibernators, sleeping by the winter months in underground burrows.

The place can I see squirrels in Wisconsin?

Squirrels might be seen nearly wherever in Wisconsin, from rural forests to metropolis parks. Tree squirrels are widespread in wooded areas with mature timber, flying squirrels require forested habitats with cover cowl, and floor squirrels choose open grasslands and prairie edges. Chipmunks are widespread in each forests and suburban gardens.

What do squirrels in Wisconsin eat?

The food plan of Wisconsin squirrels varies by species however typically contains nuts, seeds, fruits, fungi, and bugs. Tree squirrels usually cache acorns and walnuts for winter, flying squirrels rely closely on fungi, and floor squirrels eat a mixture of vegetation and bugs. Some species may also eat hen eggs and small vertebrates if the chance arises.

Are any squirrel species in Wisconsin protected?

Sure, the Northern Flying Squirrel and Franklin’s Floor Squirrel are thought-about “species of particular concern” in Wisconsin as a consequence of habitat loss and inhabitants decline. Whereas they don’t seem to be formally endangered, conservation efforts purpose to guard their habitats and monitor their populations.

Can squirrels be pests in Wisconsin?

Squirrels can generally trigger issues, particularly once they chew on picket buildings, nest in attics, or raid hen feeders. Floor squirrels and woodchucks could injury gardens and crops or undermine buildings with their burrows. Preventive measures reminiscent of sealing entry factors and utilizing squirrel-proof feeders might help scale back conflicts.

Do squirrels assist the surroundings?

Sure, squirrels play an essential ecological function. By burying and forgetting a few of their saved nuts, they assist plant new timber and preserve forest ecosystems. Flying squirrels additionally disperse fungi spores, that are essential for wholesome tree root techniques. Even their deserted burrows can present shelter for different wildlife.