Everything You Need to Know About Squirrels in Indiana Including If You Can Keep One As a Pet

Squirrels are adorable little creatures, but can you legally keep one as a pet in Indiana? The answer is not as simple as yes or no. Keep reading to learn everything you need to know about squirrels in Indiana, including how to have one as a pet.

Indiana is Home to Four Native Tree Squirrel Species

There are four different species of tree squirrels that call the Hoosier State home, and a few species of ground squirrels too. You've likely encountered at least a couple of the tree squirrels in the wild - maybe even all four of them.

Eastern Grey Squirrels Are the Most Common

According to the Indiana Department of Natural Resources, Eastern Grey Squirrels (Sciurus carolinensis) are so abundant that they can be found across the entire continent of North America. They can be recognized by their white underbellies and their blend of white, black, and yellow fur that appears grey.

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Eastern Fox Squirrels Can Be Seen Across Indiana

Unlike Eastern Grey Squirrels, Eastern Fox Squirrels (Sciurus niger) have an orange-brown underbelly and their fir is a blend of black, brown, and orange. When it comes to Hoosier wildlife, the Fox Squirrel is the largest of the four species of squirrels found in Indiana, and the largest in the United States as well with a total length ranging from 17 to 28 inches, and weighing between 1 to 2.2 pounds.

American Red Squirrels are Smaller But They're Feisty

Sometimes known as "Piney Squirrels," American Red Squirrels (Tamiasciurus hudsunicus) are smaller than both the Eastern Grey and Eastern Fox Squirrels, but what they lack in size they make up for in attitude. The Red-Tail Land Conservancy describes American Red Squirrels as "feisty."

Southern Flying Squirrels Are a Protected Species in Indiana

While the other three species of squirrels we've discussed can be hunted in the Hoosier State, the Southern Flying Squirrel (Glacomys volans) is a protected species. It is illegal to hunt or trap a Southern Flying Squirrel in Indiana. Flying Squirrels do not actually fly, despite their name. They do however possess extra skin that allows them to spread out and glide through the air when they jump from an elevated location, according to Purdue University. They can travel quite far, as they have a 2 to 1 rule of sorts. They can fly twice as far as they have climbed. If a flying squirrel is in a tree 10 feet vertically off the ground, it would glide nearly 20 feet horizontally.

Hunting and Trapping Squirrels in Indiana

With the exception of the Southern Flying Squirrel, the other three species of tree squirrels found in Indiana can be hunted or trapped, according to the Indiana DNR.

Can You Capture a Squirrel Outside Hunting Season in Indiana?

Under its regulations for "nuisance animals, "the Indiana DNR allows for the capture of Grey, Fox, and Red Squirrels outside of hunting seasons if the animal is posing a threat to the health and safety of people or domestic animals.

Can You Keep a Squirrel as a Pet in Indiana?

Now that we know all about the types of tree squirrels found in Indiana, and what the rules are for hunting and trapping them, can we keep one as a pet? While you can in fact have some squirrels as a pets in the state of Indiana, you cannot just catch one from your backyard. That is actually illegal.

Indiana Rules About Squirrels as Pets

Fox Squirrels, Grey Squirrels, and Southern Flying Squirrels are considered to be "Class I Wild Animals" and can all be kept as pets in the state of Indiana. However, in order to keep one of the species as a pet, a resident of Indiana must have a Wild Animal Possession Permit. In addition to the permit, the animal must have been acquired legally, and you must be able to provide appropriate documentation, like a receipt from a breeder,  that proves that the animal was acquired legally.

How to Acquire a Wild Animal Possession Permit in Indiana

For Class I wild animals, a completed application form, along with a payment of $20 payable to the Indiana DNR, must be submitted within five days of taking possession of the animal. Once the application is received, an Indiana DNR Conservation Officer will perform an inspection to ensure that the animal was obtained legally, and that the necessary housing requirements are met for the animal.

READ MORE: Indiana to Enact Bobcat Hunting Laws in 2025

Do Pet Squirrels Require Vaccinations in Indiana?

After filing an application, and undergoing an inspection, if you are approved for a Wild Animal Possession Permit there are some additional steps that must be taken. Your new pet squirrel will need to undergo an examination by a licensed veterinarian within 45 days from the date the permit is issued, and you will need to provide proof of that visit with either a receipt or a signature from your vet. Likewise, a signature from a vet is required to renew a permit as well stating that the animal is healthy and disease free. There are no requirements for vaccinations under Indiana law for squirrels kept with a Wild Animal Possession Permit.

Where to Find the Wild Animal Possession Permit Application in Indiana

If you're ready to get your permit, you can learn more about the Wild Animal Possession Permit application process here. You will find all of the Indiana laws (IC 14-22-26) here regarding Wild Animal Possession Permits. A downloadable and printable PDF of the Indiana  DNR Wild Animal Possession Permit Application Form can be found here.

[Source: Indiana DNR]