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1Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minute2Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errors3Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesYes—white squirrels are real. In North America, most are eastern gray squirrels with unusual coloration, not a separate species. Their pale coats can result from albinism, leucism, or an inherited coat pattern. If you hope to spot one, Brevard, North Carolina, is the best-documented place in the sources cited here: a local study reported that almost one in three squirrels there has white fur.
Why are some squirrels white?
Most white squirrels seen in North America are genetic color variants of the eastern gray squirrel, according to Laura Moss’s Treehugger explainer, updated February 10, 2022. A white coat does not, by itself, reveal which genetic condition or pattern produced it.
Albinism
Albinism is a congenital condition involving little or no melanin production. Albino squirrels typically have pink or red eyes; the visible color can come from blood vessels showing through the eye.
Leucism
Leucism involves partial pigment loss and can produce white, pale, or patchy fur while leaving eye color unaffected. A completely white squirrel with dark eyes is likely leucistic, Moss reports. Eye color is a useful clue, but appearance alone is not a genetic diagnosis.
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Inherited coat patterns
Some white squirrels have a distinctive pattern rather than an entirely white coat. In Brevard, North Carolina, the reported pattern is mostly white with a gray head patch and a dorsal stripe that widens over the shoulders. Robert Glesener, research director of the White Squirrel Research Institute, described it as a particularly rare pattern; the source says there is evidence it is inherited.
Where can you see a white squirrel?
White squirrels can appear anywhere eastern gray squirrels live, including parts of the eastern and midwestern United States and eastern Canada. Sightings are more likely in communities with established white-squirrel populations. The locations named in Moss’s account are not guarantees that every squirrel there is white or that all white squirrels share the same cause.
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| Location | What is documented |
|---|---|
| Brevard, North Carolina | Almost one in three of the city’s squirrels has white fur, according to Robert Glesener’s research as reported by Treehugger and reproduced on the City of Brevard website. The distinctive local white-and-gray coat pattern is also described in the Treehugger account. |
| Marionville, Missouri | Named by Treehugger as a town known for a larger white-squirrel population; a local rate or specific coat type is not stated in that account. |
| Olney, Illinois | Named by Treehugger as a town known for a larger white-squirrel population; a local rate or specific coat type is not stated in that account. |
| Kenton, Tennessee | Named by Treehugger as a town known for a larger white-squirrel population; a local rate or specific coat type is not stated in that account. |
| Exeter, Ontario | Named by Treehugger as a town known for a larger white-squirrel population; a local rate or specific coat type is not stated in that account. |
Brevard stands out because a local population estimate is reported, rather than because white squirrels occur nowhere else. The almost-one-in-three figure is attributed to Glesener’s research in the 2022 Treehugger article and the city’s media page; it should not be read as a current annual count.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Why do white-squirrel colonies persist in towns?
White fur can make an animal easier for predators to notice, although predators may sometimes fail to recognize an all-white squirrel as prey. More consistently, established colonies are associated with towns where predators may be fewer and residents protect or value the animals. If white squirrels survive and reproduce more often in those conditions, white-fur genes can become more common over generations. Some colonies also trace their origins to pet squirrels that were released or escaped.
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What is Brevard’s white-squirrel history?
Brevard’s local account traces its white-squirrel population to white squirrels that escaped from a Florida carnival, after which one began breeding in the wild. The city council established a sanctuary ordinance in 1986. Treehugger reports that the ordinance prohibits keeping white squirrels in captivity; consult the city’s current ordinance text for its exact legal scope. The city also conducts an annual White Squirrel Count, and the community holds an annual White Squirrel Festival. Check official local listings for current event dates and details.
Quick Recap
How to watch white squirrels responsibly
- Look for squirrels in public spaces and observe from a respectful distance.
- Do not try to catch, handle, or take a squirrel home. Brevard’s reported sanctuary rules specifically prohibit keeping white squirrels in captivity.
- Do not assume a white coat means the squirrel is albino; dark eyes, pale patches, or a patterned coat can point to other forms of coloration.
- For a planned visit or event, confirm current access and dates with the relevant local or city source.
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