Have you ever seen a white tailed squirrel before? These little creatures are native to North America. They first appeared in Osage, Iowa. And they are absolutely adorable! These furry little creatures are so friendly and playful; they’re constantly putting on a show for onlookers. This blog post will discuss everything you need about a squirrel with a white tail. We’ll tell you about these fascinating creatures, from their dietary habits to mating rituals.


A Brief History of the White Tailed Squirrel
The white tailed squirrel is a native of North America. It’s believed that this squirrel appeared in the Osage, Iowa area around 300 years ago. They were first mentioned in writing in 1766 by French explorer Pierre-Charles Le Sueur. He described them as “about the size of a rat, with a long and bushy tail.”
Since then, these delightful creatures have become one of the most recognizable animals in the area. They can be found in wooded areas throughout Osage, and they’re especially common near rivers and streams.
Are Squirrels with White Tails Rare?
Indeed, white tails are not the norm in the squirrel world. It is essential to know that this trait is not an indication of health or a sign that they are in any way different from other squirrels. A squirrel with a white tail can be healthy and strong!
There are some reasons why a white tail squirrel may be rare.
- White tails are only seen in certain parts of the United States and Canada. So if you see one, you’re pretty lucky!
- White tails can be caused by genetics, diet, and disease.


What Does It Mean When You See a White Squirrel?
Seeing an albino or all-white squirrel is often associated with bravery, resourcefulness, and the ability to react to changing situations. Since they are so versatile, they symbolize courage and resourcefulness, two attributes especially beneficial in difficult situations.


A white squirrel may symbolize peace and quiet, as well. Seeing one might signify that you are about to confront some challenging issues.
White Tail Squirrel – Diet
White-tail squirrels are mainly herbivores, meaning that they eat mostly plants. They will often eat nuts, berries, and leaves in the wild. However, they are not opposed to the occasional insect or two!
In urban areas like Osage, they often raid bird feeders for sunflower seeds. They’ll also eat just about anything people give them, including bread crumbs, popcorn, and marshmallows!
If you’re lucky enough to see a white tailed squirrel up close, you might notice that they have large front teeth. This is because their diet consists mainly of hard foods like nuts. Their back teeth are much smaller in comparison.
What Do White Tailed Squirrels Do for Fun?
For white tailed squirrels, life is all about play! When they’re not busy eating or looking for food, they love to chase each other around and play tag.
They also love to climb trees and play hide-and-seek. If you’re ever feeling low, watch these little guys. They will surely put a smile on your face.
White Tail Squirrel – Mating Rituals
White-tail squirrels, like any other squirrels, put a lot of effort into finding the perfect mate, even though the squirrels don’t mate for life.
Male squirrels will often put on extravagant displays in an attempt to woo a female. They will chase each other around trees, jump from branch to branch, and even stand on their hind legs to show off their size.
Females usually choose the biggest and strongest male as their mate.
Squirrel With a White Tail – Habitat
A squirrel with a white tail can be found throughout Osage. Have you seen a fox squirrel with a white tail? A fox squirrel with a white tail has been seen in the eastern United States, but they are not common. However, they seem to prefer areas with lots of trees. This is because they spend most of their time in the treetops!
White tailed squirrels will build nests out of sticks and leaves high up in the treetops. These nests are called dreys and provide the perfect place for a squirrel to curl up and nap.


Conclusion
The next time you’re out for a walk in Osage, keep your eyes peeled for a squirrel with a white tail! These fascinating creatures are native to this town and make for a fun sighting. Be sure to share your sightings with us on social media – we love seeing pictures of our furry friends!
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I’ve never heard of a white tailed squirrel until now. I have seen albino squirrels. The article is well written to keep your interest and learn something new!
Thanks, Sandy. I appreciate you supporting the Kitty City Squirrels website, and thank you for being a frequent reader and sharing your feedback. Much appreciated!
? Awesome! Great article, this is the first time I’ve heard about white tailed squirrels. Any other areas where they might be seen?
I live just southwest of Indianapolis Indiana and we started seeing our squirrels had a white fur on about half of their tails. This started about 2 years ago. Jan
Hi Jan,
Thank you so much for sharing your experience with your neighborhood squirrels with white fur on half their tail. We would love to see a photo of the squirrels if you have a chance to send one! https://kittycitysquirrels.com/share-your-photos
Maddy
Thank you Cynthia, I learned a lot researching this information.
Maddy
Just saw one in Regina Saskatchewan Canada!!
Oh my gosh, Shannon….how amazing! Were you able to get a photo by any chance? We would love to see it.
Thanks for letting us know!
Maddy
Hi Cynthia,
How wonderful. Did you happen to get a photo? We would love to see it.
Maddy
I have one living under my shed, just outside Edmonton, AB,Canada, which is what brought me to this page.
Hi Bonnie,
Thank you so much for sharing your experience. If you ever catch a photo of your little beauty, we would love to see. You can share your photos here: https://kittycitysquirrels.com/share-your-photos/
We appreciate your support by reading our articles!
Maddy
Thank you, Shannon for letting us know about your “renter” under your shed! I hope you catch another glimpse of the beauty.
Maddy
Hi Cynthia, check out this article
https://kittycitysquirrels.com/white-squirrels-of-kenton/
The squirrels were rumored to have been left by a traveling circus back in 1869, three years before the town was founded.
Maddy!
I was surprised last year while watching out my window to see a white tailed squirrel. It looked like someone had taken white paint and painted the tail white. I live in Stratford,Iowa. That was the first and last time to see it. I told my husband about it,and he thought that I was seeing things. To our surprise,we drove to Boone the next day (a town 14 miles away) and saw another one there! That was the one and only time for that sighting!
Hi Lola,
Thank you for your comment to Cynthia. Maybe that was one fast squirrel that ran to Boone from Stratford. Ha Ha. We appreciate you taking time to share your experience with the wonderful white-tailed squirrels! Many thanks.