3 Main Types of Squirrels

With over 50 genera and 268 species, squirrels have adapted to living in a wide variety of conditions. All squirrels have lean bodies and characteristic bushy tails, but the different types of squirrels show significant variation in size, coloring, and behavior.

There are over 200 different types of squirrels divided into 50 genera. Squirrels are grouped into one of three categories: flying, ground, and tree squirrels. Flying squirrels have patagia and live in trees. Tree squirrels also live in trees but have no patagia. Ground squirrels live in burrows.

Squirrels are exemplary students of Darwinian theories of evolution; these tiny creatures have rapidly evolved into easily distinguishable species in response to the environmental stresses placed on their colonies.

Table of Contents

• The Three Main Types of Squirrels
• Flying Squirrels
  • How Does a Flying Squirrel Glide?
  • How Far Can a Flying Squirrel Glide?
  • Geographical Distribution of Flying Squirrels
  • Behaviour and Habitat of Flying Squirrels
  • Are Flying Squirrels Pests?
  • What are the Three Flying Squirrel Types Found in America?
• Ground Squirrels
  • The Ins and Outs of a Ground Squirrel’s Burrow
  • A Ground Squirrels Defence System
    • Combat Relations Between Rattlesnakes And Ground Squirrels
  • Geographical Distribution of Ground Squirrels
  • Ground Squirrels Preferred Habitat
  • Are Ground Squirrels Pests?
  • What Types of Ground Squirrels are Found in North America?
• Tree Squirrels
  • Climbing Adaptations of Tree Squirrels
    • Climbing Strategies Used to Navigate Small Trees
    • Climbing Strategies Used to Navigate Thick Trees
  • Geographical Distribution of Tree Squirrels
  • Behaviour and Habitat of Tree Squirrels
  • Are Tree Squirrels Pests?
  • What Types of Tree Squirrels are Found in America?
• Conclusion

The Three Main Types of Squirrels

The taxonomy classification of squirrels places them in the family Sciuridae, which also contains marmots, prairie dogs, and chipmunks, i.e., this is one cute family group. The squirrels in the family Sciuridae are loosely divided into three groups: tree squirrels, ground squirrels, and flying squirrels.

Flying Squirrels

The flying squirrel, also known as the gliding squirrel, is easily distinguishable from the tree and ground squirrels by their trademark “parachute-types wings” called patagia. These “wings” are not true wings and do not grant the … Read the rest of the story.