tree squirrels

genus Sciurus

Member of typical squirrels (tribe Sciurini)
squirrels (family Sciuridae)
rodents (order Rodentia)
placental mammals (infraclass Placentalia)
therians (subclass Theria)
mammals (class Mammalia)
animals (kingdom Animalia)

There are no other wild species of this genus in California.

western gray squirrel
Sciurus griseus

western gray squirrel
Sciurus griseus

white belly
silver/white-tipped tail fur
no brownish tinge to gray fur
native; less urban and people-friendly

eastern gray squirrel
Sciurus carolinensis

eastern gray squirrel
Sciurus carolinensis

white belly
silver/white-tipped tail fur
brownish tinge to gray fur, often more prominent in the face
some are all black (melanistic) or all white (albino)
introduced from eastern north america

fox squirrel
Sciurus niger

fox squirrel
Sciurus niger

tan to white belly
orange-tipped tail fur
introduced from eastern north america

3 observed taxons / 1 key

Chris’s observations: 17 (all are research grade)

Locations:

Santa Clara, CA: 7
Calero CP: 2
Monte Bello OSP: 2
Rancho San Antonio OSP: 2
Big Basin SP
Coal Creek OSP
Coyote Creek Trail
Coyote Lake / Harvey Bear Ranch CP

Months:

Sep.: 2
Oct.: 0
Nov.: 1
Dec.: 5
Jan.: 1
Feb.: 1
Mar.: 2
Apr.: 3
May: 2

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Taxon info: iNaturalist

Bay Area species: iNaturalist