The western gray squirrel (Sciurus griseus) is a tree squirrel found along the western coast of the United States and Mexico. In some places, this species has also been known as the silver-gray squirrel, the California gray squirrel, the Oregon gray …

The western gray squirrel is the largest tree squirrel native to the Pacific Northwest. They are steel gray on the back, with contrasting white on the belly and throat, resulting in the name, "silver gray squirrel" in some parts of their range.

The Western gray squirrel is the largest tree squirrel in the state. It occurs from central Wasco, Jefferson, Deschutes, and Klamath counties west, except for unforested portions of the Willamette Valley, to central Washington, Benton, Lane, Douglas, Coos, and Curry counties.

Basic facts about Western Gray Squirrel: lifespan, distribution and habitat map, lifestyle and social behavior, mating habits, diet and nutrition, population size and status.

Explore the information available for this taxon's timeline. You can select an event on the timeline to view more information, or cycle through the content available in the carousel below. 90-day Finding for a Petition to List the Washington Population of the Western Gray Squirrel as Thre…

Western gray squirrels are the largest native tree squirrels in Washington. They are salt-and-pepper to steel gray on the back with contrasting white underparts. They are distinguished by their very long and bushy white-edged tails, large feet and prominent ears, which are reddish-brown at the back in winter.

Western Gray Squirrel habitat is typically in transitional, conifer-dominated areas that merge with open patches of oak and other deciduous trees. Mature and large seeded mast-producing trees provide abundant food and sites for nest construction (27, 33, 42).

The western gray squirrel is the largest native tree squirrel in Washington. They are dark gray with pure white underparts, and have large ears and a large tail that is as long as the body (Figure 1). Similar species include the eastern gray (S. carolinensis) and fox (S. niger) squirrels.

In Oregon, the western gray squirrel occurs throughout the Willamette Valley, southwest Oregon, the Columbia Gorge, foothills of the western Cascades, and lower elevations of the eastern Cascades (Verts and Carraway 1998).

West­ern grey squir­rels are found in wood­lands and conif­er­ous forests. They can be found at el­e­va­tions up to 2500 me­ters. The west­ern grey squir­rel ranges from about 18 inches to 24 inches in total length with the body and the tail. Their weight varies from 350 to 950 grams.