The Eastern Gray Squirrel (Sciurus carolinensis), also known as the grey squirrel depending on region, is a tree squirrel in the genus Sciurus. The name 'squirrel' comes from Anglo-Norman esquirel which comes from Old French escurel which stems from Latin sciurus. The native Old English word for squirrel acweorna survived into Middle English as aquerne before being replaced completely. The Old English word is of Common Germanic origin, cognates of which are still used in other Germanic languages like German Eichhörnchen, Norwegian ikorn/ekorn, Dutch eekhoorn, Swedish ekorre, and Danish egern. It is native to eastern North America, where it is the most prodigious and ecologically essential natural forest regenerator. Widely introduced to certain places around the world, the eastern gray squirrel in Europe, in particular, is regarded as an invasive species.
Like many small animals they have several predators. hawks, owls, foxes, coyotes, bobcats, lynxes, martens,raccoons, and snakes will all eat squirrels. The squirrels will emit a warning call to let other squirrels know predators are near. They are hard to capture because they can climb and jump among trees quickly and easily.