Squirrels In Australia? Here’s Why You Won’t Find Them In The Wild

Australia isn’t known for squirrels—because they don’t belong here.

Unlike North America, Europe, and Asia, where squirrels are common, Australia’s unique ecosystem evolved without them.

But that doesn’t mean there aren’t a few around.

Some squirrel species have been introduced, primarily through zoos and private collections.

Some have escaped and established small populations but never widely spread.

Instead, Australia is home to its native tree-dwelling mammals, like possums and gliders, which fill a similar ecological role.

So, where can squirrels be found in Australia, and how do they impact local wildlife? Let’s take a closer look at these unexpected visitors.

The History Of Squirrels In Australia

Australia has never been home to native squirrel species.

Unlike other parts of the world where squirrels thrive, the continent developed in isolation, allowing marsupials to dominate instead of placental mammals.

Possums and gliders took on the tree-dwelling roles that squirrels fill elsewhere.

Attempts to introduce squirrels to Australia began in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

Various species were brought in, but none managed to establish widespread populations.

In hindsight, this was a good thing.

Australia had already suffered severe ecological damage from introduced species like rabbits and foxes, which outcompeted native wildlife and disrupted ecosystems.

Strict biosecurity laws prevent non-native animals, including squirrels, from entering Australia today.

These regulations help protect the country’s unique wildlife and ensure that past mistakes with invasive species aren’t repeated.

Native Australian Wildlife vs. Squirrels

Australia’s wildlife has adapted uniquely, but there’s no direct equivalent to squirrels.

Instead, marsupials like sugar gliders and ringtail possums fill similar ecological roles.

These agile climbers move effortlessly through treetops, foraging for food and nesting in tree hollows.

Unlike squirrels, which are primarily active during the day, many native species are nocturnal.

Sugar gliders share squirrel-like behaviours, including leaping between branches and feeding on seeds, fruits, and insects.

Their ability to glide allows them to travel long distances, much like a squirrel jumping from tree to tree.

The common brushtail possum also has a few squirrel-like traits.

It nests in tree hollows, scavenges for food in trees and on the ground and has a bushy tail for balance.

Without squirrels competing for resources, these native species would have thrived.

Australia’s ecosystem would have developed without them, proving that nature can fill every niche.

Previous Attempts To Introduce Squirrels

Early settlers in Australia considered introducing squirrels, particularly in the late 1800s.

European red squirrels were widespread, with some colonial authorities receiving formal proposals to bring them in.

Wealthy landowners even offered to fund these introductions, seeing squirrels as a familiar and decorative addition to the landscape.

However, Australia had already faced serious problems with introduced species like rabbits and foxes.

These animals had spread rapidly, damaging crops, displacing native species, and throwing ecosystems out of balance.

Government officials and scientists realised that squirrels could do the same.

They feared competition with native wildlife for food and nesting sites and potential damage to local tree populations.

These proposals were ultimately rejected, and squirrels were never successfully introduced.

With strict biosecurity laws now in place, Australia has learned from past mistakes and ensures its native wildlife remains protected from new invasive species.

Where To Find Squirrels In Australia Today

Wild squirrels don’t exist in Australia.

Unlike in North America or Europe, where they dart through parks and gardens, these tree-dwelling mammals never successfully established themselves here.

The country’s strict biosecurity laws have kept it that way, ensuring native species don’t face unnecessary competition.

The only places to see squirrels in Australia are zoos and wildlife parks.

Melbourne and Taronga Zoo in Sydney occasionally feature squirrel species in their small mammal exhibits.

These controlled environments allow visitors to observe them up close without the risk of them spreading into the wild.

For those hoping to spot squirrels in Australian forests or city parks, it won’t happen.

Instead, native marsupials like possums and sugar gliders play similar roles, keeping Australia’s unique ecosystem balanced.

Impact Of Squirrels On Local Ecosystems

Since squirrels never established wild populations in Australia, they’ve had no direct impact on the country’s ecosystems.

This has likely been a good thing, as introduced species often compete with native wildlife for food and habitat, sometimes causing irreversible damage.

If squirrels had successfully spread, they could have disrupted local ecosystems in several ways.

In other regions where they’ve been introduced, squirrels compete with birds and mammals for nuts, seeds, and nesting sites.

They also strip bark from trees and eat young shoots, weakening forests over time.

Australia’s native species have evolved without tree squirrels, and keeping it that way has helped preserve the balance of its unique ecosystem.

Without competition from these agile rodents, native possums and gliders continue to thrive in the treetops, playing their natural role in Australia’s environment.

Managing Non-Native Species In Australia

Australia has some of the world’s strictest biosecurity laws, designed to keep non-native species from disrupting its unique ecosystems.

Quarantine laws and border protection measures ensure that potentially harmful animals, including squirrels, don’t gain a foothold on the continent.

The Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment plays a key role in this protection, implementing extensive strategies such as port surveillance, strict import controls, and rapid response protocols for any detected invasive species.

Travellers entering Australia must declare any animal products at customs, and those attempting to bring in unauthorised wildlife can face hefty fines.

These strict measures have helped protect Australia from wild squirrel populations, ensuring native species don’t face unnecessary competition or habitat disruption.

Frequently Asked Questions

Conclusion

Australia has remained squirrel-free thanks to its strict biosecurity measures and unique ecosystem.

Unlike in other parts of the world, where squirrels thrive in parks and forests, Australia’s native marsupials—like sugar gliders and possums—fill similar environmental roles.

While early settlers attempted to introduce squirrels, these efforts failed, ultimately protecting native species from unnecessary competition.

For those hoping to see a squirrel in Australia, zoos and wildlife parks are the only options.

Meanwhile, the country’s natural landscapes support its incredible native wildlife without disruption.

Interested in spotting Australia’s fascinating marsupials instead? Visit national parks and wildlife sanctuaries to see sugar gliders, possums, and other unique tree-dwelling creatures in their natural habitat.