Squirrel FAQ

By Pat Marklevitz

How many different species of squirrels are found in Calgary?

Calgary is home to five species of squirrels. Four are native species and one is an introduced species. Red Squirrels and Northern Flying Squirrels are our native tree squirrels. Eastern Grey Squirrels, the dominant tree squirrels in Calgary, are an introduced species. Our native ground squirrels are Richardson's Ground Squirrels and Thirteen-lined Ground Squirrels.

Are the black, brown, grey and red squirrels I see in my yard all different species?

The large black, brown and grey squirrels are different colour morphs of one species -- the Eastern Grey Squirrel. This squirrel was introduced to Calgary from it's native range in eastern North America by the Calgary Zoo in the mid-1960s and has become the dominant tree squirrel in most city communities. The smaller reddish squirrels with the white rings around their eyes (shown right) are Red Squirrels which are native to our region and across forested northern North America and the mountains.

What is the difference between squirrels and gophers?

Both groups are rodents and are fairly closely related. As a rule animals going under the name squirrels usually have a bushy tail and spend a lot of time in trees. Gophers usually have a smaller tail, don't climb much, live in burrows and spend most of their time underground.

What most Calgarians call a gophers are actually squirrels -- Richardson's Ground Squirrels and Thirteen-lined Ground Squirrels. Calgary's most common gopher, the Northern Pocket Gopher, is rarely seen above ground and most people are unaware of its existence.

Northern Flying Squirrels, meanwhile are exclusively nocturnal. While common in forested areas such as the Weaselhead, they are seldom seen and reported.

Where do the squirrels who visit my yard live?

Both Red Squirrels and Eastern Grey Squirrels will nest in hollows in trees, dreys (covered nests that they construct in trees) or buildings (attics, sheds, etc.). During winter, Red Squirrels in winter may also spend a lot of time in burrows in the ground, in a woodpile, or under your deck. 

Red Squirrel territories range from .2 to 2.4 hectares in forest and Eastern Grey Squirrels about .5 hectares. This may vary depending on how many squirrels are around and the habitat quality. 

Grey squirrels seem more social and tolerate neighbors quite well. Red Squirrels on the other hand seem a lot more aggressive to others of their own species. They will often defend feeders, by chasing away intruders with loud "chucking" calls.

What do squirrels eat?

Squirrels eat a variety of foods, including evergreen cones, fruit, fungi, insects, acorns, birds eggs, and occasionally birds.

Do squirrels have their young at a certain time of year?

Squirrels generally have young in the spring. Calgary's Eastern Grey Squirrels will often have a second litter in the fall.

Do squirrels carry diseases harmful to pets?

I don't know of any diseases squirrels can transmit to pets. However it is always wise to err on the side of caution. For example I would clean up any droppings using a mixture of bleach and water.

What can I do to cut down on the squirrels in my yard?

You can put out less food if you are feeding them. A small barking dog will usually keep them off the ground but not out of the trees. However if you are in an older neighborhood with lots of good squirrel habitat it will be very difficult to get rid of them. If you trap and move some, others will move in to fill the vacant territory. Best advice: learn to live with them.

Is it a good idea to trap and move squirrels?

Trapping squirrels is problematic. You are most likely moving them to a territory where there are already resident squirrels. If you move them in winter they may die and if you move them during spring or fall you may be leaving young to die in the nest. And if you don't change conditions that caused them to be a problem in the first place more will move in to replace any that you trap and relocate. Best to squirrel-proof your buildings and bird feeders and enjoy the squirrels.

Alberta Fish & Wildlife told me I should kill Eastern Gray Squirrels that end up in my squirrel traps instead of moving them. Should I really do this?

Eastern Grey Squirrels are an introduced species in our area. Most introduced species have some detrimental effect on native species in part because they have few natural predators. So it's up to you.

Can't the city do something about the number of squirrels? They are a nuisance.

The numbers of squirrels are a direct result of forest cover in the city and food availability. They are among the few animals that do well in cities and as such are a great joy to a lot of people who can't get out in the country much. The city could possibly eliminate squirrels after a long, expensive campaign but I feel the majority of people would frown on that. There are a lot of other things in the city that are an even bigger nuisance than squirrels (and more dangerous or costly), so if squirrels are your biggest problem, you've probably got it good. Learn to live with them.

I put out corn for the squirrels and peanuts for the Blue Jays, but the squirrels eat all of the peanuts and don't touch the corn. Why?

Squirrels eat a variety of foods. In my own yard they often take corn. I have found that some foods I put out for birds and animals will only get taken at certain times of the year.

Does capsicum pepper harm squirrels? Does it really work?

Capsicum apparently does work for most squirrels especially if you stick it to the seed with cooking oil or something like it. However I don't know of any studies on its long term effects on the birds which will also eat it.

There are also some difficulties associated with using capsicum pepper to keep squirrels away. Rain and snow, for example, can wash it away; so can heavy morning dew or fog. Time, too, eases the intensity of the stimulant. And if the squirrel buries the food for later use, by the time it returns to retrieve it most of the

Finally, there are usually a few squirrels in the neighbourhood who do not seem to mind the taste of capsicum pepper. Either they have acquired a taste for it or

A much better solution is to put your bird feeder on a post outfitted with a baffle to keep squirrels from climbing to the top. (And by the way, a metal pole without a baffle will not work. Unless it is so wide that they cannot get their legs on either side of it they will run up it like a rope!)