There are many different species of squirrels found around the world. Squirrels come in a variety of colors and patterns, which can help identify the specific species. One distinguishing feature found on some squirrels is a white belly. Let’s explore which squirrel species have white bellies and what other characteristics can help identify them.
North American Tree Squirrels with White Bellies
Several tree squirrel species native to North America have white undersides. These include:
Eastern Gray Squirrel
The eastern gray squirrel (Sciurus carolinensis) is one of the most common tree squirrels found across eastern North America. They have predominantly gray fur on their backs and sides with white fur on their bellies. The fur on their backs can range from silver-gray to nearly black. Eastern gray squirrels have large bushy tails. They are medium-sized tree squirrels, measuring 16-20 inches long including their tail.
Eastern Fox Squirrel
Closely related to the eastern gray squirrel is the eastern fox squirrel (Sciurus niger). As their names suggest, eastern fox squirrels have more reddish-brown fur compared to the grays of the eastern gray squirrel. Their undersides are still white. Eastern fox squirrels are also slightly larger, measuring 18-27 inches in total length. They are found throughout the eastern and central United States.
Delmarva Fox Squirrel
The Delmarva fox squirrel (Sciurus niger cinereus) is a subspecies of the eastern fox squirrel. It is larger than other fox squirrels with gray fur on its sides and back. It has distinctive white fur on its belly, chin, nose, and ears. Delmarva fox squirrels are an endangered subspecies found only on the Delmarva Peninsula along the mid-Atlantic coast.
Abert’s Squirrel
Abert’s squirrel (Sciurus aberti) is a tree squirrel native to the southwestern United States. It has grayish fur over most of its body with a distinctive white belly. Abert’s squirrels have large tufted ears and long fluffy tails. They grow up to 30 inches long making them one of the largest tree squirrel species in North America.
Other North American Tree Squirrels
While the tree squirrels described above have white undersides, some other North American tree squirrels have different coloration on their bellies and undersides:
American Red Squirrel
The American red squirrel (Tamiasciurus hudsonicus) is smaller than most other tree squirrels. They have reddish fur on their backs and sides. Their undersides have cinnamon to yellowish-orange fur but not solid white. They are found across northern North America.
Douglas Squirrel
Also known as the chickaree, the Douglas squirrel (Tamiasciurus douglasii) has grayish-brown fur on its back and reddish-brown on its sides. Its belly fur ranges from orange to dull yellowish. Douglas squirrels are found in the Pacific Northwest.
Southern Flying Squirrel
Southern flying squirrels (Glaucomys volans) are found throughout eastern North America. They have loose flaps of skin that allow them to glide between trees. Their fur is brownish-gray above and whitish below, though not a pure solid white belly. The northern flying squirrel is similar in appearance.
Arizona Gray Squirrel
Found in parts of Arizona, New Mexico and Mexico, the Arizona gray squirrel (Sciurus arizonensis) has gray fur on its upper body but its underside is more of a pale gray to cream color, not solid white. It has rounded ears and is medium-sized.
Ground Squirrels with White Bellies
Certain species of ground squirrels that live in burrow systems also have white undersides:
California Ground Squirrel
The California ground squirrel (Otospermophilus beecheyi) is grayish with speckled fur on its back but has a distinctive solid white belly. They are common throughout western North America.
Rock Squirrel
Rock squirrels (Otospermophilus variegatus) have grayish fur with white speckling on their backs but a white belly. They have long bushy tails with white edges. Rock squirrels live throughout the southwestern United States.
Wyoming Ground Squirrel
The Wyoming ground squirrel (Urocitellus elegans) lives in parts of the western United States. They have light brown fur on their back and sides with contrasting white fur on their belly extending up towards the neck.
Thirteen-lined Ground Squirrel
The thirteen-lined ground squirrel (Ictidomys tridecemlineatus) is named for the alternating brown and white lines running lengthwise along its back and sides. It has brownish-gray fur above with clean white fur below. They are found in central North America.
Old World Tree Squirrels with White Bellies
Looking beyond North America, certain squirrel species in Europe, Asia, and Africa also display white undersides:
Eurasian Red Squirrel
The Eurasian red squirrel (Sciurus vulgaris) is common throughout northern Eurasia. They are rusty red along the back with whitish underside fur. The coloration distinction between the upper and lower body is not as pronounced as in some other squirrels. They have tufted ears and are about the size of the American gray squirrel.
Pallas’s Squirrel
Pallas’s squirrel (Callosciurus erythraeus) is native to parts of Asia. They are rusty red-brown above with contrasting creamy white to pale grayish undersides. Pallas’s squirrels have long bushy tails and pointed ears.
Prevost’s Squirrel
Prevost’s squirrel (Callosciurus prevostii) is found in Southeast Asia. They are small and have soft, silky fur that is brownish-gray on the back. The belly is whitish to pale gray. They have a distinct black line separating the upper and lower body coloration.
Indian Palm Squirrel
The Indian palm squirrel (Funambulus palmarum) is native to parts of South Asia. They are about the size of a large mouse with stripes along their back. The fur on their underside ranges from all white to more of a creamy white or pale gray. They have a long stripe running along the middle of their back.
Conclusion
While many species of tree and ground squirrels may have white fur on their undersides, some of the most distinctly identifiable include:
– Eastern gray squirrel
– Eastern fox squirrel
– Delmarva fox squirrel
– Abert’s squirrel
– California ground squirrel
– Eurasian red squirrel
The white belly provides camouflage when viewed from below against the bright sky. It contrasts with the darker fur on the back to help create a breakup pattern that makes squirrels harder to spot. So while not all squirrels have white tummies, it is a distinctive feature to help identify those species that do exhibit this trait. When trying to identify an unknown squirrel, look at characteristics like size, tail shape, ear tufts, and patterns in the fur to narrow down the possibilities.
