North Carolina State Animal Showdown: Gray Squirrel vs. Red Wolf

If you live in North Carolina, you’ve probably spotted those cheeky Eastern gray squirrels zipping through your yard, darting from tree to tree, or brazenly grabbing peanuts right off your porch. They’re quick, curious, and honestly, just part of the everyday scenery. Their fluffy tails flick as they scamper around, seemingly unfazed by all the human hustle and bustle.

Now, picture something different. The red wolf isn’t hanging around your backyard bird feeder. Once roaming freely across the Southeast, this shy, rare predator now survives in just a tiny corner of eastern North Carolina. While squirrels bounce openly in daylight, red wolves lurk deep in the swamps, moving quietly and mostly unseen.

Though these two couldn’t be more different, their stories together tell us a lot about what North Carolina’s wildlife looks like.

The Familiar Face: Eastern Gray Squirrel

Back in the late 1960s, kids all over North Carolina were asked to pick their favorite animal, and the Eastern gray squirrel won the crown as the official state mammal, according to the North Carolina Wildlife Federation (NCWF). People loved them for being clever, scrappy survivors found just about everywhere, from city parks to quiet forests. One lawmaker called them “courageous and thrifty,” which feels pretty spot on for a tiny animal that somehow manages to survive chilly winters, dodge speeding cars, and outsmart predators.

Eastern gray squirrels are like little urban and woodland ninjas. They build nests high up in trees called dreys, stash nuts in all sorts of spots (sometimes forgetting where they hid them), chatter at dogs, scold people walking by, and generally keep the neighborhood lively.

Sure, squirrels are everywhere, but don’t mistake “common” for “unimportant.” They play a huge role in keeping forests healthy. By burying nuts and forgetting some, they help new trees grow. Plus, they’re food for hawks, owls, foxes, and other predators. Life is full of challenges for squirrels, as some don’t make it past their first year, while others can live several years.

If you stop and watch one for a few minutes, you’ll notice just how smart they are. They remember the best hiding spots and are always on the lookout for danger. In cities and suburbs, they’ve figured out how to live alongside us in ways that not every wild animal can manage.

The Shadowy Challenger: Red Wolf

The red wolf, on the other hand, has a very different story. These wolves once roamed large parts of the Southeast but were pushed to the brink by habitat loss, hunting, and crossbreeding with coyotes. By the 1980s, they were declared extinct in the wild.

North Carolina became their comeback stage. In 1987, the National Wildlife Federation (NWF) says, a small group of captive-bred red wolves was released into the wild here. For a while, things looked hopeful. Their numbers climbed, and they roamed the swamps and coastal plains. But the struggle wasn’t over. The NWF reports that accidents, illegal shootings, and habitat pressures have since cut their population down to fewer than 25 wild wolves.

Red wolves are lean and reddish, built for stealth in dense wetlands. They try to avoid humans whenever possible, but play a critical role as apex predators, helping keep ecosystems balanced by controlling populations of deer and smaller mammals.

These wolves are shy and wary, rarely seen by most people, which adds to their mystique. Even more interesting is that, according to the NCWF, conservationists have gotten creative by using tracking collars, public education, and strict protections to give red wolves a fighting chance.

Two Very Different Stories

When it comes to the two, on one side, there’s the small, noisy squirrel you see everywhere, and they're bold, curious, and part of everyday life. On the other hand, there’s the red wolf, the large, quiet predator so rare that most people never catch a glimpse. One blends seamlessly into our daily routines, while the other remains critically endangered and almost mythical.

The squirrel stands as a symbol of resilience, having adapted to thrive alongside humans. The red wolf, meanwhile, serves as a reminder of the wild places and creatures that need our protection because they can’t adapt as easily. Together, they highlight the rich diversity of North Carolina’s wildlife, from bustling city parks to remote forests and swamps, each playing an essential role in the ecosystem.

Reflecting On North Carolina’s State Animals

From the bustling antics of the Eastern gray squirrel to the quiet, shadowy presence of the red wolf, North Carolina’s wildlife tells a story of both adaptation and vulnerability. These two animals remind us of the rich variety of life that surrounds us, whether in our backyards or deep in the wilderness. Appreciating this diversity means understanding the delicate balance that keeps ecosystems healthy and recognizing our role in protecting it. So next time you spot a squirrel scampering or catch a glimpse of something wilder, take a moment to reflect on the incredible wildlife tapestry that makes North Carolina truly unique.