Sleeping and Nesting Habits of Squirrels

The Amazing Tail

The bushy tail (almost equal in size to a squirrel's body) does more than look fluffy. It helps the squirrel keep its balance when leaping from tree to tree. At night, it doubles as a soft, warm natural blanket.

Squirrels also use their tail to talk to each other. Watch the position of a squirrel's tail when it is alarmed, then watch it while the squirrel is just playing around. You will notice a clear difference in how the tail moves.

Whenever squirrels are mentioned, most people picture them scampering and running around, gathering food, or leaping from tree to tree. All that activity sure must exhaust them, and these little fellas really do need their sleep.

The exact sleeping habits and nesting places vary slightly between the different types of squirrels. There are three main types: flying, ground, and tree squirrels. Ground squirrels are found all over the world. Gray squirrels and red squirrels are types of tree squirrels. Gray squirrels are native to North America, whereas red squirrels are commonly found in Europe. The most distinctive feature of gray squirrels is their big eyes. Red squirrels are slightly smaller than the gray ones and have a reddish-brown coat. Another type of squirrel commonly found in America is the fox squirrel. There can be variations in color, as squirrels usually shed their coat during summers.

Flying Squirrels

Flying squirrels spend most of their time in trees, so their nest is very important to them. Most squirrels have more than one nest. Flying squirrels sleep during the day and head out to forage or play at night. They don't really fly; instead, they have web-like flaps of skin attached to their sides. These flaps help them glide from tree to tree.

Flying squirrels live in tree dens and build nests during summers in which they sleep. Their dens are lined with leaves or moss. They can also live in attics or tree houses. During winters, more than 10 squirrels can live together in one den. This gives them added insulation when sleeping. Sometimes, flying squirrels can be seen napping on tree branches as well.

Tree Squirrels and the Drey

Gray, fox, and red squirrels sleep in nests called dreys. Dreys are usually built with leaves, twigs, mosses, or branches. They are tucked between forks in tree branches, in attics, or along a wall. Both males and females (along with their young ones) take part in nest building.

Squirrels sleep at night, and sometimes in the afternoons, when they are not running around. They love the sun and spend more time out in the open during summers. Red squirrels usually make their nests in conifer forests because they love pine cones. They sleep and raise their young ones in these nests.

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Ground Squirrels

Ground squirrels spend most of their time on the ground and even sleep in burrows. In northern areas, the harsh winters push them into hibernation. They only wake up for brief periods to forage for food, then go back to sleep. This rest period lasts around five to six months and is very important for their survival.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many hours a day do squirrels sleep?

On average, squirrels sleep about 14.9 hours per day, roughly 60% of their total time.

What is a squirrel's nest called?

A tree squirrel's nest is called a drey. It is built from leaves, twigs, and mosses in a tree fork.

Do squirrels hibernate?

Ground squirrels in northern regions hibernate for around five to six months in winter. Tree squirrels and flying squirrels do not truly hibernate.

When do baby squirrels open their eyes?

Newborn squirrels take around eight weeks to open their eyes. They stay in the nest with their mother during this time.

Squirrels in deserts and extremely hot areas face the opposite problem. They estivate during summers, a kind of summer sleep to escape the worst of the heat.

Baby Squirrels

Newborn squirrels take around eight weeks to open their eyes. They share a nest with their mothers during this whole period. Once they mature, they live in their own nest. Tree-dwelling squirrels mature faster than flying squirrels: they are fully grown by 10 months, whereas flying squirrels take around 18 months. Once mature, they build their own nest and have their own place to sleep. They may share their home with a fellow squirrel during winter.

Foraging for food, playing with mates, and storing food for winter are their main activities. The rest of the time is spent sleeping. To stay safe from predators, squirrels forage during early mornings or late evenings; the rest of their day is spent resting.

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