Biologists enlist public help to track elusive American Red Squirrel in Upstate South Carolina mountains

Wildlife biologists and forestry officials are asking hikers, campers, and Upstate outdoor enthusiasts to keep an eye on the treetops for one of South Carolina’s smallest and most isolated mountain residents: the American red squirrel (Tamiasciurus hudsonicus).

In a collaborative research initiative between the U.S. Forest Service, the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources (SCDNR), and the University of West Georgia, researchers are seeking public sightings to map and monitor the species’ range in the state’s rugged northwest corner.

A Mountain Specialist in the Blue Ridge

While common gray squirrels thrive throughout neighborhoods and parks statewide, the American red squirrel is an ecological specialist. In South Carolina, the pint-sized mammal is found exclusively in high-elevation pockets of the Blue Ridge ecoregion, which includes the Andrew Pickens Ranger District of the Sumter National Forest in Oconee County.

These squirrels depend on high-elevation conifer and mixed hardwood stands—particularly hemlock and pine groves—where they feed on conifer seeds, nuts, and fungi. Because their southern range terminates in the Southern Appalachian mountains, South Carolina represents the southern boundary of their geographic footprint, making local colonies especially sensitive to climate shifts and canopy loss.

How to Identify an American Red Squirrel

Field biologists note several distinct characteristics that separate the red squirrel from the far more prevalent eastern gray squirrel:

• Size: Noticeably smaller and more compact than a gray squirrel, typically measuring about half its size.

• Coat Coloring: Rust-colored or reddish-brown fur along the back and tail, contrasting against a bright whitish underbelly.

• Markings: A crisp white ring around each dark eye, accompanied by a distinct black lateral stripe running down each side of its body between the reddish upper coat and white belly.

How to Report a Sighting

State wildlife teams are encouraging anyone who spots an American red squirrel while exploring trails, campsites, or mountain ridges to log the encounter:

1. Via iNaturalist: Upload high-resolution photographs, geographic coordinates, and habitat details directly through the free iNaturalist.org app or website.

2. Direct Email: Send clear sighting photos along with GPS coordinates or precise location descriptions directly to project lead Dr. Andrew Edelman at [email protected].

Data gathered by citizen scientists will help biologists assess population stability, identify critical high-elevation habitats, and guide forest management strategies across the Sumter National Forest.

Community Fast Facts & Sighting Guide

• Species: American Red Squirrel (Tamiasciurus hudsonicus)

• Where They Live in SC: Limited solely to high-elevation conifer and mixed hardwood canopies in the Blue Ridge ecoregion, including the Andrew Pickens Ranger District of Sumter National Forest.

• Key Identifiers: Reddish-brown back, white underbelly, prominent white eye ring, and a sharp black lateral stripe separating top and bottom coats.

• How to Help: Report sightings with clear photos and GPS coordinates through iNaturalist.org or by emailing [email protected].

picture credit: Silas Wareham