Squirrels and Relatives: Sciuridae

Squirrels are found throughout the world, except in Australia, Madagascar, southern South America, and certain desert regions, such as in Egypt.

Most squirrels eat primarily plant materials. Tree squirrels and flying squirrels often eat nuts and seeds, and will occasionally also feed on fungi, eggs, insects, young birds, and small snakes. Ground squirrels also eat seeds, fruits, and nuts, but often have diets made up of large amounts of grasses and leafy materials.

The World Conservation Union (IUCN) lists two squirrel species as Critically Endangered, facing an extremely high risk of extinction in the wild; nine species as Endangered, facing a very high risk of extinction; twenty-six species as Vulnerable, facing a high risk of extinction in the wild; and thirty-four species as Near Threatened, not currently threatened, but could become so.