Tree Squirrels

Of the four species of squirrels common in Arizona’s pine and conifer forests, Abert’s (or tassel-eared) squirrels are widespread in ponderosa pine forests across the Mogollon Rim, the North Kaibab and several other mountain ranges. An Abert’s squirrel is easily distinguished by its ear tufts, or tassels, gray body, white belly and bushy white tail.

One subspecies, the Kaibab squirrel, is black-bellied and white-tailed. Arizona gray squirrels and rust-colored Chiricahua fox squirrels inhabit riparian deciduous forests and oak woodlands south of the Mogollon Rim, and the smallest species, the red squirrel or chicaree, is restricted to spruce and fir forests above about 8,500 feet elevation.

The Abert’s squirrel is the most hunted squirrel species, and the only tree squirrel that cannot be hunted in Arizona is the federally endangered Mt. Graham red squirrel.