Squirrels are common backyard animals known for their energetic daytime activities. They are primarily diurnal, meaning they are active during daylight hours and typically rest at night. While there can be rare exceptions, squirrels generally do not come out at night to eat, instead sleeping once the sun sets.
When Squirrels Are Most Active
Squirrels’ daily routines are closely tied to daylight. They begin activity at dawn, emerging from nests or dens to forage for food, build nests, and interact. This early morning period, extending to mid-morning, is one of their most active times for gathering resources. Squirrels are also active in the late afternoon and early evening as the sun begins to set.
Their daytime activity results from evolutionary adaptations, including vision suited for daylight. Food sources, such as nuts, seeds, and berries, are readily available during the day. At dusk, squirrels retreat to their nests or tree cavities to sleep, seeking shelter from nocturnal predators.
Reasons for Nighttime Sightings
Observing a squirrel active at night is unusual and an exception to their normal behavior. Such sightings can be attributed to specific, rare circumstances. One reason might be extreme hunger or food scarcity, where a squirrel risks nocturnal foraging if daytime food sources are limited.
Disturbance to their nest or territory can also cause nighttime activity. If a squirrel is chased by a predator or disrupted by human activity, it might be displaced and remain active after dark. Young or inexperienced squirrels may venture out at unusual hours due to disorientation. Artificial outdoor lighting can occasionally disorient squirrels, making them appear active at night, though this is not for foraging. In rare instances, extreme weather, like unusual heat, might shift their foraging times.
Other Nighttime Visitors
Since squirrels are rarely active at night, a sighting after dark might be another common nocturnal animal mistaken for a squirrel. Raccoons, for instance, are larger, have masked faces, and bushy tails with rings. Opossums are grayish-white with bare, prehensile tails. Smaller rodents like rats or mice also have slender bodies and long, thin tails.
Flying squirrels are a distinct species of squirrel that are strictly nocturnal. They are smaller than typical tree squirrels, possess large eyes adapted for excellent night vision, and have a unique membrane called a patagium that stretches between their front and hind legs, allowing them to glide between trees. To identify a nighttime visitor, observing its size, movement patterns, tail shape, and eye shine can help differentiate between these creatures.