Squirrels belong to the Sciuridae family, which contains tiny and medium-sized rodents. Tree squirrels, ground squirrels, chipmunks, marmots (including groundhogs), flying squirrels, and prairie dogs are all members of the squirrel family. Squirrels are native to the Americas, Eurasia, and Africa, and were brought to Australia by humans. The earliest known fossilized squirrels originate from the Eocene era, and squirrels are most closely related to the mountain beaver and the dormice among extant rodent groups.

Squirrels are generally small animals, ranging in size from the African pygmy squirrel and least pygmy squirrel, which measure 10–14 cm (3.9–5.5 in) in total length and weigh only 12–26 g (0.42–0.92 oz), to the Bhutan giant flying squirrel, which measures up to 1.27 m (4 ft 2 in) in total length and weighs up to 8 kg (18 lb) or more. Squirrels have long, bushy tails and big eyes, while their bodies are thin. Their fur is smooth and silky in general, however certain species’ fur is significantly thicker than others. Squirrel coat color varies greatly between species, and even within species.

The rear limbs of most squirrel species are longer than the fore limbs, and all species have four or five toes on each paw. Soft pads cover the undersides of the paws, which contain a typically underdeveloped thumb, and flexible, strong claws for gripping and climbing. Unlike other animals, tree squirrels can descend a tree head-first. They do this by turning their ankles 180 degrees, allowing their rear paws to point backward and grab the tree bark from the other direction.

Squirrels may be found virtually anywhere, from tropical rainforests to semiarid deserts, with the exception of the high arctic areas and the driest deserts. They are mostly herbivores who consume seeds and nuts, although some may also eat insects and small animals.

Squirrels have exceptional eyesight, as evidenced by their big eyes, which is especially useful for tree-dwelling species. Many have vibrissae on their limbs and heads, giving them an excellent sense of touch.

In their first year of life, many young squirrels perish. In the wild, adult squirrels can live for 5 to 10 years. In captivity, certain animals can live for 10 to 20 years. When a nest falls from the tree, the mother may abandon her young if their body temperature is not correct, resulting in premature death.

Many of these baby squirrels have been rescued and fostered by a professional wildlife rehabilitator until they could be safely released back into the wild, but due to the high density of squirrel populations in many areas and the constant care that premature squirrels require, few rehabilitators are willing to spend their time doing so, and such animals are routinely euthanized instead.

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