Squirrel! Report These, Please

Seen a red squirrel in Georgia? Let us know.

DNR is teaming with the University of West Georgia's Dr. Andrew Edelman and the U.S. Forest Service to document sightings of these red-hued, pint-sized cousins to gray squirrels.

Wildlife biologist Sam Holst said the goal is learning more about where red squirrels are in Georgia and what habitats they're using. "We just don't have a lot of data about them."

The continent's smallest squirrel ranges from the boreal forests of Canada and the northern U.S. south into the Rockies and Appalachians. In Georgia, red squirrels are found only in a northeastern slice of the state. They tend to favor woodlands of hemlock, pine and other conifers (thus the nickname "pine squirrel"). But they will use other forest habitats and, like gray squirrels, dine at your bird feeders.

Georgia's 2025 State Wildlife Action Plan lists red squirrel as a species of greatest conservation need. Sightings can help researchers understand how habitat and climate changes, as well as the loss of hemlocks to invasive hemlock wooly adelgids, may affect southern populations.

Flyers have been posted at national forest kiosks, state parks and on social media. Report sightings - including photos, habitats, vocalization recordings, coordinates and any notes on behavior and habitat - by:

• Uploading them at iNaturalist.org.
• Or emailing Andrew Edelman at [email protected].

This is one case where "Squirrel!" is a worthwhile distraction.

WANTED II: SPOTTED SKUNK SIGHTINGS

There's also a BOLO statewide for eastern spotted skunks. Following a dramatic and little understood population decline, these once-common skunks are now rare.

Top: Red squirrel (Adobe Stock)