Black squirrels are some of the most intriguing wildlife residents in Indiana. They appear suddenly around neighborhood parks, treelined campuses, quiet suburbs, and woodland edges, leaving many people surprised the first time they spot one. Their dark fur and confident movements make them stand out instantly, yet most Hoosiers know surprisingly little about where they come from or why they are so common in certain counties and nearly absent in others.
Indiana has long provided the perfect blend of habitat, food availability, and climate stability for fox squirrels and eastern gray squirrels. Within these populations is the fascinating melanistic variant known as the black squirrel. Though genetically identical to their lighter relatives, their striking appearance and subtle behavioral differences make them subjects of curiosity and local conversation.
This article explores five surprising things about Indiana’s black squirrels. Each section blends scientific understanding with real-world observations to paint a clearer picture of how these animals live, how they adapt, and why Indiana remains one of the best places in the Midwest to see them. Whether you live near Fort Wayne, walk the wooded trails around Lafayette, or spend time on a university campus where these squirrels thrive, you’ll notice details that are easy to miss until you know what to look for.
1. Black squirrels in Indiana are not a separate species
Many people assume the black squirrel is a species of its own, especially because of its dramatically different appearance. In reality, black squirrels in Indiana are simply melanistic variants of the eastern gray squirrel or, in some regions, the fox squirrel…