Squirrels, those familiar backyard inhabitants, often spark curiosity about their family structures. The question of whether squirrel families stay together reveals a nuanced answer, differing significantly based on species and life stage.
Mother’s Role in Raising Young
A mother squirrel dedicates effort to raising her offspring, typically born in litters of three to four pups. She constructs a drey, a spherical nest made of twigs and leaves, often high in trees or within tree cavities, providing a safe and warm environment for her young. Pups are born blind, deaf, and hairless, relying entirely on their mother for survival during their initial weeks. The mother nurses them diligently, providing essential nutrients for their development; their eyes open around four weeks. She remains protective, moving her litter to alternative nests if threatened by predators or harsh weather.
When Young Squirrels Become Independent
Young squirrels transition to self-sufficiency. They begin exploring outside the nest around six to eight weeks, remaining close to their mother. Weaning occurs by 10 to 12 weeks, when they can find their own food. Most young squirrels become independent and disperse from their birth area between 10 to 12 weeks, though some may stay in the vicinity or share a drey with their mother for a few more weeks, especially during colder periods. This period of learning survival skills from the mother precedes establishing their own territories.
Social Behavior of Adult Squirrels
After achieving independence, the social behavior of adult squirrels depends on their species. Many common tree squirrels, such as gray and red squirrels, are solitary. They maintain individual territories and avoid extensive interaction outside the breeding season. During cold winter months, several tree squirrels may share a drey to conserve warmth, exhibiting a temporary social grouping for survival. Breeding season interactions primarily involve males competing for females.
Differences Among Squirrel Species
While tree squirrels, such as gray and red squirrels, are solitary and defend individual food caches and territories, many ground squirrel species exhibit complex social behaviors and live in organized communities.
Prairie Dogs
Prairie dogs, a type of ground squirrel, live in colonies (“towns”) subdivided into family units (“coteries”). Coteries consist of one adult male, several adult females, and their young; females often remain in their birth groups for life, contributing to stability. Family group members cooperate in foraging, sharing food, grooming, and warning of predators.
Marmots
Marmots, another ground squirrel species, live in social groups ranging from a few to dozens of individuals, often including a dominant breeding pair, subordinate adults, and offspring. They share burrows and communal territories, displaying behaviors like greeting and allogrooming.
Chipmunks
While chipmunks are part of the squirrel family, they are less social than many ground squirrels, primarily interacting during mating season. They live in individual burrows, though they may be seen in proximity due to abundant food.