Eastern Gray Squirrel Scat and Tracks: How to Identify Them (Sciurus carolinensis)

Rodent droppings are small and dark; shape and size are the first cut (rice-grain with pointed ends for mice, blunt and larger for rats, oval pellets for squirrels and voles). Tracks show four toes on the front foot and five on the hind, and most rodents bound, so the larger hind prints land ahead of the front prints. Gnaw marks with paired incisor grooves are often the clearest sign. The agencies we could open do not give measured scat or track figures for Eastern Gray Squirrel; the comparison and other sign below are what they do report.

• Tree-cavity nest or leaf nest (drey): Prefers to den in tree cavities; when none are available, builds a leaf nest in a tree
• Digs holes to bury acorns, damaging lawns: Squirrels are often blamed for digging up lawns because they bury acorns there
• Treetop leaf nest: Squirrels build a 12-19 inch round leaf nest in a hollow tree or treetop, made of leaves, twigs, and bark (this description comes from the Fox Squirrel source page; Gray Squirrel habits are similar)

The Fox Squirrel's coat is a mix of rusty yellow and black, giving it an overall reddish look

The Red Squirrel has a reddish-gray back, whitish belly, and ear tufts in winter

Put something of known size next to it (a coin, a pen, a boot) and shoot straight down in soft light; low side light brings out the shape of tracks in mud or snow. For scat, photograph the whole deposit and one close-up showing contents. Note where it was: on a log, in the open, on a trail, near water. The app suggests the likely animal; confirm with the size and shape notes above.