You’re sitting in your backyard enjoying your morning coffee when a blur of gray catches your eye. A squirrel darts across the fence, bushy tail trailing behind. But here’s something you might not know: that little acrobat could be one of three different species calling Orlando home.
Whether you’re spotting them raiding your bird feeder or performing aerial stunts between oak branches, understanding which squirrels in Orlando share your neighborhood helps you appreciate the unique wildlife thriving in Central Florida.
From the chatty gray squirrels dominating urban parks to the rarely-seen nocturnal flyers gliding through the darkness, each species brings its own personality to your local ecosystem.
Eastern Gray Squirrel
The Eastern gray squirrel (Sciurus carolinensis) is the familiar face you’ll encounter most often in Orlando’s urban and suburban landscapes. These adaptable rodents have mastered the art of city living, thriving everywhere from downtown parks to residential neighborhoods…