Meet Scout
Scout is an Abert's squirrel — the tasseled-eared, ponderosa-loving critter you'll spot all over Flagstaff. As our mascot, Scout helps families discover the best kid-friendly adventures in the forest city.
Scout explores every corner of the pines, so your family knows exactly where to go.
Like the Abert's squirrels that range through Flagstaff's forests, Scout is all about discovery — pointing your crew toward playgrounds tucked in the pines, trails sized for little legs, restaurants that welcome the whole crew, and learning experiences that spark wonder.
Abert's Squirrels
The charismatic tree squirrels that call Flagstaff home.
The Abert's squirrel (Sciurus aberti) is a tree squirrel native to the Rocky Mountain region. In Flagstaff, they're one of the most recognizable wildlife residents, easily identified by their long, tasseled ears and bushy tails.
These squirrels live almost exclusively in ponderosa pine forests — the same towering trees that define Flagstaff's landscape. They build nests in the branches, feed on pine seeds and inner bark, and even use the trees as highways, leaping between canopies with impressive agility.
Field guide
- Sciurus aberti
- Ponderosa pine forests
- Pine seeds, cones, and inner bark
- The Rocky Mountain region
- Treetops on any forest trail
Fun Facts
A few things that make Abert's squirrels extra special.
Tasseled Ears
Abert's squirrels are famous for their distinctive ear tufts, which grow longer in winter and are shed in summer.
Ponderosa Pines
They depend almost entirely on ponderosa pine trees for food and shelter — eating the inner bark, seeds, and cones.
No Hoarding
Unlike many squirrels, Abert's squirrels don't cache food. They find fresh meals each day from their pine tree homes.
Color Morphs
In Flagstaff, you'll see both dark (almost black) and gray Abert's squirrels — they're the same species with different coat colors.