Variety

Although the above squirrels all look different, the first two are both Eastern Grays, it's just the first one is melanistic. The third image is a Douglas squirrel. These are much smaller than the Grays, or even smaller than our Eurasian Reds. They are a little timid but full of character and super cute. There are also red squirrels, which are a similar size to the Douglas, and there are flying squirrels here too. I didn't manage to see those, unfortunately. The flying squirrel being nocturnal is especially difficult to find. This is a huge amount more variety than we get in Sweden. 

​

The Eastern Gray squirrels were also introduced here from the USA, although unlike the UK, these do not carry the parapox virus and so are not a threat to the natives accept when competing for food. Fortunately, the mountains to the immediate north of Vancouver are mostly pine trees, which cannot support Gray squirrels, so they are largely contained to the city itself. 

 

Feeding

As usual, squirrels only come close to people if they are being fed. This is illegal in Vancouver, probably due to food attracting animals like bears, coyotes, raccoons and even cougars. However, this does not stop people from feeding the birds and squirrels in Stanley Park. Although this site is largely protected from these larger animals, that doesn't make it exempt from the law. 

​

Canada

Here are some of the squirrels that I found on trips to Vancouver...​

​

​