Types and Classes of Squirrels, their Characteristics and More

We like these little rodents for their charming appearance and for their notorious agility and dexterity when it comes to moving through the trees and jumping from one branch to another. Their thin and light anatomy allows them to be very fast and their showy tail is not a simple decoration. By continuing to read this article you will be able to learn more about the different Classes of Squirrels that exist.

squirrel classes

Squirrel Classes

We know the squirrels as the owners of a unique sympathy, through which they were able to occupy a stellar position even on the movie screens. Few people know it, but we use the term 'squirrel' to simply name a diversity of species of these beautiful rodents. 

These mammals, in addition to exhibiting multiple colors and different sizes and morphologies, flaunt their agility or ability to jump between tree branches. The squirrel is a very graceful creature that usually charms everyone. Surely you will have noticed that there is no single type of brown squirrel like the one often depicted in cartoons.

Therefore, we want to talk to you about the squirrel classes. Would you love to meet them? Next, we will detail the different kinds of squirrels and their most important characteristics.

What are the Classes of Squirrels?

There are numerous varieties of squirrels, and each one does not look like the other. They all have their particular grace and certain features that distinguish them.

squirrel classes

Red squirrel

The red squirrel is what we know as the common squirrel and can be found in Spain and in the northern region of Europe. They have a length of 20 to 30 centimeters, not including their tail, which can measure 25 centimeters. As its name indicates, one of its most distinctive features is the reddish color of its fur. As a curious thing, it should be noted that its hind legs have five fingers, while in the front it only has four, perhaps to favor jumping and gripping.

Tree Squirrel

This creature that spends it in the trees continuously, can be found in regions of North America, South America, Europe and Asia. They are related to the flying squirrels and, although they do not 'plan' like them, they have a great ability to jump from one tree to another so as not to have to go down to the ground. Its size, like the common squirrel, varies from 20 to 30 centimeters, and its tail can have a length of 20 centimeters. Its fur is grayish with brown highlights.

Palm Squirrel

This is the common name by which this animal that resides in Pakistan, Nepal, India and Sri Lanka is known. In scientific terms it is called Funambulus, due to its extraordinary ability to maintain its balance perfectly when walking on the branches. Among its physical features stands out its tail with scarce hair, stripes that cross its back vertically in shiny black and beige, and its tiny size, which does not exceed 15 centimeters.

Giant Gray Squirrel

It is located in Sri Lanka, an island south of India. It is one of the largest known species and can reach 50 centimeters long without including the tail. It is a particular kind of squirrel in its form. Among his physical attributes, the pink color of his nose, his beige chest and his graphite gray fur stand out. It does not have very abundant fur, so its tail, although with dense fur, is not very long.

Neotropical Pygmy Squirrel

This kind of squirrel is usually found in different regions of South America and is quite tiny in size. Its tail, which reaches a length of about 20 centimeters, usually doubles the length of its body. Its legs are longer than those of other types of squirrels, and its tail is rounded and sparsely furred. Its way of walking is elegant and due to its small size it can easily jump. Its tail is used to hold on.

Eastern Fox Squirrel

His brown fur with orange tones on his belly and on the inside of his legs, this being what stands out most in his physique. It has a long tail that it uses as a body language tool to show when it is upset, so if you see one wagging its tail, stay away. It is somewhat larger than the common squirrel and can reach a length of about 30 centimeters plus 35 centimeters on its tail. It loves to prowl where there are trees and can be found primarily in North American territories.

Carolina chipmunk

This squirrel with silver-gray fur with a brown head and tail inhabits the North and South Carolina region of the United States. Its tail is not very long and with little fur, and its quite small size is about 10 centimeters in its body and about 8 in its tail.

Physical Characteristics of Squirrels

The squirrel is a tiny rodent mammal that is part of the Sciuridae family, which includes about 500 species. They can be found on all continents, except Australia and Antarctica. They are animals with enough strength and resistance, whose body is adapted to withstand climatic changes and adversities.

These rodents have a medium size and an average height of 30 centimeters and profuse fur in shades of brown or red. Their body is light and thin to enable them to gain speed without loss of dexterity. And its legs are strong enough to be able to dig the ground, and thus collect fruits and seeds.

One of its most outstanding physical features is the showy long tail covered with voluminous fur that gives it a 'fluffy' appearance. Indeed, the tail of an adult squirrel is as long as its own body since it exceeds 25 centimeters in length.

We must emphasize that a tail of this magnitude plays a key role in the daily routine of squirrels. Its primary function is to enable these rodents to stabilize both when they move and when they rest. Additionally, it also contributes to the improvement of its quality and speed, as well as to optimize its jumps between the trees.

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