If you’ve ever encountered a white squirrel in the wild, you’ve likely wondered about its unique appearance. Is it albino? Is it leucistic? And what’s the difference between the two? Let’s break down how to identify the two types of squirrels.
The Basics: Albino vs. Leucistic White Squirrel
At first glance, albino and leucistic squirrels may look similar, but their distinct genetic traits set them apart:
Albino White Squirrels
- Genetics: Albinism is caused by a genetic mutation that prevents the production of melanin, the pigment responsible for coloration in skin, fur, and eyes.
- Appearance: Albino squirrels are pure white with pink or blue eyes, which are the hallmarks of albinism. This eye color results from the absence of pigment, allowing blood vessels to show through. Their noses and skin are also pink.
- Rarity: Albinism is rare and can make squirrels more vulnerable to predators due to their striking visibility and reduced eyesight.
Leucistic White Squirrels
Genetics: Leucism is a genetic condition that results in partial loss of pigmentation. Unlike albinism, it doesn’t affect all pigments—just those in fur.
Appearance: Leucistic squirrels often have white fur but dark eyes, typically brown or black, because the pigmentation in the eyes is unaffected. Their noses and skin might also retain normal coloration.
Rarity: Leucism is slightly more common than albinism and often results in uniquely patterned squirrels, such as those with patches of white fur mixed with gray or brown.
Understanding the difference?
Understanding the distinction between albino and leucistic squirrels isn’t just about curiosity but also conservation and appreciation. Both conditions are rare, but leucistic squirrels are often mistaken for albinos due to their similar fur. Recognizing their differences helps us better understand these beautiful anomalies in nature.
Fun Fact: White Squirrel Hotspots
Certain areas, such as Brevard, North Carolina, are famous for their populations of white squirrels, most of which are leucistic. These towns often celebrate their unique wildlife with festivals and tours, showcasing the charm of these rare creatures.
How to Tell Them Apart
When you see a white squirrel, take note of its:
- Eye Color: Red or pink = albino. Dark = leucistic.
- Skin/Nose Color: Pink = albino. Dark = leucistic.
- Fur Patterns: Pure white = albino. Mixed patterns or patches = leucistic.
The next time you spot a white squirrel, you’ll be able to better identify whether it’s albino or leucistic. Either way, you’ve encountered a particular part of nature’s diversity! Lucky you.
Have been seeing a white squirrel recently in my yard in appleton wisconsin.
Just beautiful
Mary,
They are beautiful! Thank you for reporting your sighting.
-Squirrely
Pure albino squrriel spotted often in my yard,pink eyes.come for nuts & corn
Lakewood,co.
Milton,
Congratulations on your white squirrel sighting and thank you for sending.
We have a white squirrel in Waukesha WI. It has been here all summer. It typically comes out between 6:30-8:30 in the morning and. It’s quite active!
Mary,
Thank you for letting us know.
I live in Oxford, MI and we have a white squirrel in our neighborhood. I’m pretty sure it’s an albino, as I don’t see any other color on it’s fur.
Elaine,
Can usually tell by the eye color. Leucistic squirrel have dark eyes and albinos have pink eyes. Thank you for reporting your sighting
Just saw a white squirrel in Minneapolis, Minnesota. I believe it was albino, based on this guide
Liz,
Thank you for submitting your White Squirrel sighting
-Squirrely
Just seen a white squirrel in little common, east sussex. Not sure about the eyes. Very beautiful
Jennifer,
Thank you for reporting your White Squirrel Sighting. We always love to seeing new reports from across the pond.
-Squirrely
Spotted a leucistic squirrel at Cedar Ridge Preserve in Dallas, Texas. Very cool; it was comfortable enough with humans to be eating a nut just several feet away in the trees
Katie,
Congratulations on your white squirrel sighting and for reporting it.
I saw a leucistic squirrel today on my drive from Asheville to the Craggy Gardens/Pinnacle trails area. I’m not sure if I was still on Town Mountain Road, or if I had turned onto the Blue Ridge Parkway.
I saw a white squirrel today in the Oakmont Subdivision in Anderson SC. It totally caught me by surprise! I did manage to get a video of it. I wasn’t wearing my glasses so I couldn’t see the eye color. I had no idea that white squirrels existed and it was amazing to see! I hope I’m lucky enough to see it again.
Hi Rebecca
Thank you for reporting your white squirrel sighting. Your squirrel is mostly likely a leucistic squirrel.
I’ve had a leucistic squirrel (male) in my backyard for several months. I see him much more frequently than before— up to several times per week. In Dallas, Texas.
We have a leucistic squirrel in our neighbourhood in a town called Somerset West about 50km from Cape Town South Africa
Hi Anette,
Thank you for reporting your white squirrel sighting. This is the first time we have had a report from your location.
-Squirrely
I just saw an albino squirrel in my yard by my window in Minnetonka, MN! I Never saw one before! So cute! He looks young!
Just saw a true albino in our yard in North Branch, MN. Very interesting!
Joe,
Congratulations on your Albino white squirrel sighting!
-Squirrely
My son and I saw a white squirrel in our backyard tonight! In East Meadow, NY. We got a few pics from behind so can’t tell if it’s albino or leucistic but still such an awesome sight!
I’ve Just seen an Albino squirrel while on a walk in Blaine, Minnesota! I saw the lad and pulled out my camera to instantly take a photo before even confirming if he was the real deal. He’s actually staring at me in a tree as I’m writing this haha. Just talked to passer-by and he was telling me that this guy’s a regular around here. Nature is beautiful!
Jesse,
Congratulations on your Albino White Squirrel sighting. Nature is Beautiful!
-Squirrely
Leucistic squirrel living in our culvasac.
Janette
Thank you for reporting your white squirrel sighting. What city/state did you see your white squirrel?
We sited an albino (pure white, red eyes) squirrel in our front yard this morning.
Hamilton, New Jersey
Michelle,
Thank you for reporting your white squirrel sighting.
-Squirrely
I watched a white squirrel with pink eyes as I waited in a parking lot in Stratford, Ct. It looked to be enjoying himself in a large oak tree with low hanging branch! Had never seen one before. A treat!
Hi Robin,
Thank you for letting us know about your white squirrel sighting. Sounds like an albino.
Just sighted one under my bird feeder.
Rapid City, SD
Daryl,
Thank you for reporting your white squirrel sighting.
-Squirrely
We have three currently in the Countryside development of Sterling, VA.
Timonthy,
Thank you for reporting your white squirrel sighting.
-Squirrely
I have one living in my yard. I got lots of pics and videos I took today.
Hi Tammy,
What city and state do you live in for tracking purposes?
I saw a white or albino squirrel running along my back fence a couple days ago. It was with a gray squirrel. I live in Grove City Ohio.
Elsie,
Congratulations on your white squirrel sighting and thank you for reporting it.
-Squirrely
Coincidentally, there are White Squirrels in Brevard County FLORIDA (Palm Bay to be exact). One hangs out at the NGC movie theater. His name is Sketch. I’m told there were originally six. He is small, probably a juvenile. Is the mutation dominant?
Hi Philip,
It is a recessive gene. We have an article on Dominant or Recessive that dives into the science. I have included a link to that page.
I have occasionally seen an albino squirrel in my yard or neighborhood for the 30 years that I’ve lived here, most recently this morning. I’ve never been able to get close enough to see eye or nose color. Usually get pictures from afar. Sliding door to get outside and other squirrels starting fights make them run. I live in Columbus, Ohio.
Catherine,
Thank your for sharing your sighting.
We are vacationing in Minnesota and there is a white squirrel by Milner Pond.
Susan,
Thank you for reporting your white squirrel sighting,
-Squirrely
I was so excited to see a leucistic squirrel on my deck. It is so pretty and now I look for it every day. If they have siblings, are they also leucistic?
Debra,
Great question. Siblings from the same litter aren’t automatically leucistic too. Leucism is caused by a recessive gene in most squirrel populations, so both parents need to carry the gene for any offspring to show the white coloring, and even then it’s a matter of chance which babies in a litter inherit two copies of it. So a litter could have one leucistic baby (or more) and the other siblings, would have normal gray coat color. It really depends on the parents’ genetics and luck of the draw if a baby(s) will be leucistic.
What City/State are you located in?
-Squirrely
Lots of these are common in warner robins ga
I have just seen an albino squirrel where I live, in the countryside in rural Dover, England. I took a video of it. It was an amazing sight. I feel so blessed.
Suzanne,
You are blessed. Albino squirrels are very rare. Congratulations on your white squirrel sighting.
We have what I believe to be a Leucistic squirrel that hangs out in our yard in Leesburg, Virginia. Has been around for a couple years.
We have a new white squirrel in the neighborhood, leucistic. The tail is quite short. Is that common? I will email a photo.
We’ve seen white ones every few years. This is the first time we’ve had two at once.
Location Winchester MA
Hi Peter,
Thank you for reporting your white squirrel sightings. Short tails although not common can occur. It could be the result of a birth defect, injury, predator attack.
-Squirrely
There is a white squirrel living in the tree in our front yard. Fort Worth, Texas.
We have TWO albinos in our back yard. Pink eyes, noses and skin. They have entertained us for several seasons!
Hi Bob,
Can you give us the city and state you had your white squirrel sighting.
Thanks
I have seen this squirrel since the ned of winter. This is the first time I have seen one in my area.
I have a white beautiful squirrel in my back yard, playing with the others. I took a picture. Tom’s River NJ. I feel bless.
05/23/26.
Hi Martha,
Thank you for reporting your white squirrel sighting.
I live in Woodside, CA (for nearly 50 years), about 30 miles south of San Francisco. I saw a squirrel today that was all jet black except for the tip (2-3″) of his tail which was bright white! I’ve never seen one like this! What causes this? Is it rare?
Robert,
Thank you for sharing your sighting. Most of the reports we receive are of leucistic or albino squirrels, but have received a few sightings reporting unusual coat variations like dark squirrels with distinct white markings on the tail.
This kind of pattern likely comes down to how pigment shows up in different areas of the fur, similar to what we see with leucism. It’s not something that’s widely documented, which makes sightings like yours especially interesting. It’s a great reminder that there’s still a lot of natural variations out there that we’re continuing to learn about.
We really appreciate you taking the time to report it.
I saw a white squirrel, yesterday, in Asheville, NC.
Totally white– I didn’t note its eye color.
Hi Debra,
Most likely a leucistic white squirrel. Thank you for submitting your white squirrel sighting.
-Squirrely
I’m a mail carrier in Chattanooga, TN and today I spotted a leucistic squirrel! It was completely white, so I thought it was albino at first but I was surprised its eyes were dark. Glad to learn about the differences between the 2! I got a photo of it so I was able to verify in the photo that I saw correctly.
Kim,
Thank you for the report. Sometimes it is hard to tell the difference when you do have a completely white squirrel.
We have a lot of squirrels around our home in Wixom, Mi. All different colors. This spring we have seen 3 times now a black squirrel with a reddish brown to blonde tail. It is part of the reason why I came to this posting. Fascinating information. Thank you.
There’s a white squirrel (normal eyes) that lives in a tree in the house across from my job on Trabert Avenue in Atlanta, Ga. I see her often as I work. My office window looks out to the street where the house is.
J.S. What a great distraction LOL. Thank you for letting us know.
I saw two white squirrels tonight in Villa Hills, KY. I couldn’t tell if they were albino or leucistic. The photos I took were somewhat blurry, so eye color is difficult to determine on one of the two. The other appears to have dark eyes so my guess is leucistic.
Hi Susie,
Thank you for reporting your white squirrel sighting. We have had a couple reports of leucistic squirrels seen in KY
Kalamazoo, MI and I have a blond squirrel with brown eyes that comes to my patio to eat sunflower seeds, corn and nuts out of the bird seed. He is young and I believe his mom is a squirrel with a spot of white fur on her back. She visits to get the food too. I do have a short video and photos if you wish to document this.
Hi Cyndi,
We would love to see your video and photo’s. You can send to our general email at whitesquirrelinstitute@gmail.com. Thank you for reporting your white squirrel sighting.
-Squirrely
Just saw what I presume to be an albino squirrel given its pink/red eyes in DC! Thanks for the insightful article!
Hi Coco,
Glad you found the article helpful. We had someone send in a photo of a Leucistic White Squirrel in front of the White House.
-Squirrely
I saw a white squirrel 12/24/25 in my neighborhood in Southeast Michigan. It has black eyes, so Leucistic and not as rare as a true albino, but the first I have ever seen (and I am 74 years old).
Have a white squirrel living in a tall tree in my yard I can’t get close enough to see its eye color took a video on my iPhone been seeing it every day
Congratulations on your White Squirrel. What city and state did you see it?
-Squirreluy
We’ve been seeing a white squirrel for over a year now. Highlands Ranch, Colorado. Just south of Denver. It nests in a neighbor’s tree.
Michael,
Thank you for reporting your White Squirrel Sighting! Much appreciated
-Squirrely
We have a pair of leucistic gray squirrels that have appeared in the past week. They are a bit smaller than the other gray squirrels here (possibly because they are from the second litter of the year?). We have never seen white squirrels here before. Since the leucistic lack of melanin is the result of a genetic mutation, the question has arisen “are the two actually twins, from the same ova?” We are located at Wachusett Mountain in Princeton Massachusetts, in central Massachusetts.
Nick, thank you for reporting your sighting. Brevard’s Leucistic squirrels have a partial loss of pigmentation in its fur, but normal pigment in its eyes, nose, and skin.
-Squirrely
I have a white squirrel who has been visiting about a week now with the other four grey ones! Really pretty.Seven miles southwest of Belton, Mo.
Hi Mary,
Thank you for reporting your white squirrel sighting!
-Squirrely
My son saw her first and then me. We have an albino right outside my door. We have seen her early in the morning and closer to sunset. We are in Princeton, New Jersey. Since albinos are more fragile, do I need to inform any authorities?
Yesterday, I saw my first white squirrel! I spotted it being chased by a gray squirrel on Cedar Creek Rd between Panthertown Valley and Glenville Lake in Glenville, NC.
Hi Stu,
Thank you for reporting your White Squirrel sighting. Congratulations on your first sighting! It probably was after the gray’s nuts.
-Squirrely
Saw our first white squirrel in Loveland OH!! Very cool!
Gregg,
Congratulations!!! Yes they are super cool and always such great surprise when you see one. Thank you for reporting your sighting.
-Squirrely
I’m in Northville, MI. I have over a dozen funny Red Squirrels in the woods behind my house.
Recently a White Leucistic Red Squirrel has moved in. At 1st, I thought a mouse was on the tree, but nope, it’s a White Leucistic Red Squirrel.
It’s coming for the Vegan Human-Grade Suet Cakes that I make for all the wildlife. It seems to ignore the bird seed & peanuts, but loves the Suet Cake.
Just like the other Red Squirrels, this guy is an Angry Comedian. He chases all of the other Squirrels & also Chipmunks that are nearby.
I hope he keeps coming, I don’t think I’ve seen any White Squirrels before, or not that I recall.
Hi Denise,
Yours sighting is the first time someone has reported a leucistic red squirrel thank you! It sounds like this little character has quite the personality—an “angry comedian” fits red squirrels perfectly. If you ever are able to snap a photo we would love to see him.
-Squirrely
I live in Winston-Salem nc and where I live I have seen a huge light colored squirrel with light orange colors blended in his tail and underneath him and there is a smaller one around that is also a solid light color. They are very beautiful
Sharon,
The light-colored fur with orange tones, especially in the tail and underside, could be a variation of a leucistic eastern gray squirrel—or even a fox squirrel, which are known for their larger size and rich color blends. Either way, you’re lucky to have seen such rare and beautiful animal!
I have never seen one until this past spring. ( I’m old too) so quite a rarity for me. It recently showed up at my bird feeders. It is Leucistic, just learned about that from your site. Located in north Pittsburgh.
Hi Thomas,
Thank you for reporting your white squirrel sighting and congratulations on seeing very rare animal.
We have four white squirrels in our yard! We saw one yesterday and now four today. We’re thinking they just emerged from their nest because they’re a bit smaller than the other squirrels in our yard. They’re gorgeous!
Yesterday I saw and videoed a white squirrel in my backyard in Andover, MA. I think it was leucistic. It was an adult, but I had never seen it (or any white squirrel) before. It joined the handful of greys along with the chipmunks, birds, and rabbit that partake of the food I put out for them. The animals took no notice of the stranger and no notice of the different color, though the contrast was striking to me. I don’t know if squirrels can distinguish between grey and white. It was really a thrill; I hope he/she returns.
Avi,
Congratulations on your sighting and thank you for reporting it.
Most likely a leucistic as we have had several sighting in MA. Squirrels don’t see colors the same way humans do. Most squirrels have dichromatic vision, meaning they can see some colors, but not the full spectrum. So fur color is not something a squirrel would register or react.
I just saw and vidoed a white squirrel, probably leucistic, in my backyard in Andover, MA. It was feeding with other grey squirrels, birds, and a rabbit. The animals were oblivious to the color difference (a lesson for us humans). The other animals are frequent visitors as I put out food and water. I have never seen the white squirrel (or any white squirrel) before.
We spotted this boy or girl squirrel late last year in our backyard in the Western NYS region. It looks pale golden or silvery in bright sunlight, and nearly white at night. It is a leucocitic or an albino type, we wonder? Thank you! Ps. How can we upload a gif or .mov?
Hi Kae,
Thank you for reporting your white squirrel sighting. The albinos will be completely white with pink or blue eyes. The leucistic will have dark eyes.
Yesterday morning here near Khao Yai national park in Thailand from the window of our rental villa my wife and I saw a flock of hornbills. A couple of them alighted on a papaya tree to feed and were quickly chased away by a white squirrel who had a partner and child to feed!
Iljas,
Thank you for reporting your white squirrel sighting. The squirrels found in Thailand are a different species than our white squirrels which are Sciurus carolinensis.
Thailand white squirrel species name is Callosciurus finlaysonii or more commonly known as Finlayson’s squirrels or a variable squirrel. They are naturally white as part of their normal species variation.
We would love to see a picture.
-Squirrely
Several of us watched and filmed a white squirrel with black eyes in my backyard in Kasson Minnesota. Young and cute. It loved my birdseed.
Mark,
Lucky you and thank you for reporting your sighting! I put birdseed in the bird house (but it’s really for the white squirrels in my back yard:)
Morning of April 17, 2025, we saw two white squirrels in Brevard, NC, in the Franklin Park area. (Lakeview Ave and Franklin St.) We took this route to Asheville specifically to stop & see the white squirrels.
Vikki,
I am so glad you were able to see our white squirrels!
A white Squirrel sighted at feeder in Ely, MN.
Playing in yard and burying peanuts.
Kay,
Thank you for letting us know.
Spotted two white squirrels in Matthews NC today, fairly certain they were albino. Pure white. Got photos but they’re not very good sadly.
Heather did you see the color of their eyes. Typically in NC we have leucistic white squirrels. They can be completely white but will have dark eyes.
Thank you for reporting your sighting.
-Squirrely
I have seen one in Highlands Ranch, CO.
Kerry,
Can you tell if the one you saw was a leucistic or albino?
I photograph one in the memorial park hernebay
I seen 2 white squirrels in Becker MN at 5:00pm
Carolyn,
Thank you for reporting your sighting!
-Squirrelly
We have white albino squirrels in our neighborhood. Love watching them!! So beautiful!
Donna,
Lucky you! Thank you for sharing.
We have two white squirrels in TN9 area near Royal Rise School
Hi Deborah. To confirm the location was Tonbridge, England. Thank you for reporting your sighting.
-Squirrelly
Have photographs of albino squirrel spotted about 3 weeks ago off Rheims Way and Queens avenue Canterbury
Christopher, thank you for reporting your sighting.
We have one in our garden and it’s drey is in the roof of my barn, he has 4 other members of the family. He / she is an albino.
Can you let us know city and state of your location. Thank you.
-Squirrelly
We had 3 albino squirrels in our neighborhood on the west side of St. Paul, MN. Now, after this winter’s owl irruption, I only have seen one.
Margaret,
Thank you for submitting your reporting your sightings. Sorry to hear of the loss.
-Squirrely