are there squirrels in australia

There are no native squirrels in Australia. Australia never naturally had tree squirrels; instead, native marsupials like possums and gliders fill similar ecological roles. Attempts to introduce squirrels, such as the northern palm squirrel, were made in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, mostly around Perth Zoo. However, these squirrels never established widespread populations, and the northern palm squirrel was declared eradicated in Western Australia by recent years. Today, the only squirrels in Australia are found in zoos and private collections, and strict biosecurity laws prevent squirrels from becoming an invasive species in the wild. Native tree-dwelling creatures like the squirrel glider, sugar glider, and possums serve similar ecological niches to squirrels elsewhere in the world.