Difference Between Squirrels and Rodents

Squirrels are among the most commonly seen wildlife in urban and suburban areas, often darting across parks, backyards, and trees. While many people recognize their playful nature, few realize that squirrels are actually part of the rodent family. Understanding how squirrels compare to other rodents can help homeowners manage them more effectively, whether they’re dealing with squirrels in their attic or rodent infestations in their home.  In this article, we will take a look at the differences between squirrels and other rodents, highlighting their behavior, characteristics, and potential risks. If you’re unsure whether squirrels or other rodents have moved into your home, take advantage of our Free Pest Inspection Service. Our experts can quickly identify the culprit and recommend effective solutions.

What Are Rodents?

Rodents are a large and diverse group of mammals, making up the order Rodentia. This category includes over 2,000 species, ranging from small mice to large beavers. Despite their variety, all rodents share key physical and behavioral traits.

Common Types of Rodents

Rodents make up the largest group of mammals, with species such as rats, mice, squirrels, chipmunks, hamsters, guinea pigs, and beavers. Each species varies significantly in size, habitat, diet, and behavior, but all share common features like continuously growing incisors used for gnawing.

What Are Squirrels?

Squirrels are a distinct type of rodent belonging to the Sciuridae family, which also includes chipmunks, marmots, and flying squirrels. They have bushy tails, sharp claws, and tree-climbing abilities. Squirrels are more commonly associated with the outdoors than other rodents that prefer burrowing or scavenging indoors. Squirrels are known for their agility and resourcefulness, often adapting to urban environments. Unlike many rodents, they are diurnal, meaning they are most active during the day.

Why Squirrels Belong to the Rodent Family

Squirrels are classified as rodents due to their sharp, continuously growing front teeth (incisors) adapted for gnawing. Like all rodents, squirrels must gnaw constantly to keep these teeth from overgrowing, making them an integral part of this mammalian order.

Tail Differences: Function and Appearance

Squirrels have long, bushy tails that aid in balance and communication, particularly when navigating treetops. Other rodents, such as rats and mice, have slender, scaly tails, primarily used for balance and temperature regulation rather than communication or prominent visual signals.

Habitat Preferences

Where Do Squirrels Typically Live? Squirrels typically inhabit wooded areas, forests, and urban parks. They build nests, known as dreys, high in trees using leaves and twigs, or nest within tree cavities. Urban squirrels frequently occupy attics, roofs, and chimneys. Common Habitats for Other Rodents Rodents like rats and mice prefer dark, sheltered environments such as basements, attics, and wall cavities. Chipmunks favor burrows underground, while beavers construct elaborate lodges in water bodies, showcasing varied habitat preferences among rodent species.

Dietary Habits

What Do Squirrels Eat? Squirrels primarily eat nuts, seeds, fruits, fungi, and sometimes insects. They store food by burying it, a behavior known as caching, to secure resources for winter months. Dietary Differences Among Rodent Species Rodents display diverse diets; while mice and rats are omnivorous scavengers, consuming grains, insects, and human food scraps, beavers strictly consume bark, aquatic plants, and leaves. Guinea pigs and hamsters predominantly eat grasses and seeds.

Behavioral Differences

Activity Patterns: Day vs. Night Squirrels are diurnal, active during daylight hours. In contrast, most rats and mice exhibit nocturnal behavior, becoming active primarily at night to avoid predators and human detection. Social Behavior and Interaction Squirrels tend to be solitary or mildly social, interacting mostly during breeding seasons. Conversely, rats and mice often live in large social colonies, with defined social hierarchies and cooperative behaviors. Nesting and Burrowing Habits Squirrels nest above ground in trees or attics, whereas rodents like rats and mice nest in hidden indoor spaces or underground burrows. Chipmunks and prairie dogs construct extensive underground tunnels for shelter and food storage.

Key Differences Between Squirrels & Rodents

Despite belonging to the same rodent family, squirrels differ significantly from other rodents, such as rats and mice.

Feature	Squirrels	Other Rodents (Rats & Mice)
Size	Medium-sized (9-10 inches, excluding tail)	Smaller (rats: 6-9 inches, mice: 2-4 inches)
Tail	Long, bushy, and used for balance	Long, thin, and scaly
Activity	Diurnal (active during the day)	Nocturnal (active at night)
Habitat	Trees, parks, and occasionally attics	Hidden indoor spaces like basements, attics, and walls
Movement	Agile climbers, jump between trees	Ground-dwelling, fast runners
Diet	Primarily herbivores (nuts, seeds, fruits, bark)	Omnivores (grains, garbage, and sometimes meat)
Nesting	Dreys (tree nests) or attics	Hidden nests in walls, crawlspaces, or burrows
Damage	Chews on wires, damages trees, raids bird feeders	Gnaws on furniture, wires, contaminates food, spreads diseases
Health Risks	Minimal risk, but can carry parasites	High risk, known to spread hantavirus, leptospirosis, and salmonella

Signs of Infestation

Identifying a Squirrel Infestation Indicators of squirrel infestation include noises like scratching or scurrying in attics or roofs during the day, visible entry points on roofs or vents, and evidence of nesting materials such as twigs, leaves, and insulation displaced in attic spaces. Recognizing Signs of Other Rodent Infestations Rodent infestations like rats and mice often leave distinct signs such as droppings, gnaw marks on wires or structures, oily rub marks along walls, and noises of nocturnal activity within walls and ceilings.

Damage Caused by Squirrels and Rodents

Both squirrels and other rodents can cause problems for homeowners, but the type and extent of damage depend on the species. Squirrels are not typically associated with home infestations, but they can cause problems when they enter homes or gardens.

Health Risks Associated with Rodents and Squirrels

Rodents, including squirrels, can pose health risks by transmitting diseases like salmonella, hantavirus, and leptospirosis through droppings, urine, and bites. They may also introduce parasites like fleas and ticks into homes, further increasing health risks.

How to Control Squirrels and Other Rodents?

Preventing and managing rodent issues depends on the species and the extent of the problem.

Myths and Facts About Squirrels and Rodents

There are many misconceptions about squirrels and their classification as rodents. While squirrels belong to the rodent family, they have distinct behaviors, diets, and habitats that set them apart from other rodents like rats and mice. Understanding these differences can help in managing their presence around homes and outdoor spaces. Here are some common myths and facts about squirrels and rodents.

Myth	Fact
All rodents are the same as squirrels.	Squirrels are a type of rodent, but not all rodents are squirrels.
Squirrels are dangerous pests like rats.	Squirrels are generally less destructive than rats but can cause damage if they enter attics.
Rodents only eat grains and seeds.	Different rodents have varied diets, including fruits, vegetables, and meat.
Squirrels and rodents have the same living habits.	Squirrels prefer trees and urban areas, while other rodents may burrow or nest in different environments.
All rodents have bushy tails.	Only squirrels have bushy tails; other rodents like mice and rats do not.

When to Seek Professional Pest Control

If you notice consistent signs of rodent or squirrel infestation, such as persistent noises, droppings, visible damage, or unusual odors, it’s essential to contact professional pest control services. Experts can accurately identify species, safely eliminate infestations, and recommend preventive strategies to protect your home. If you are unsure which pest is infesting your home, contact our pest control experts and get a free estimate today!