Squirrels are a familiar sight, often observed scampering up trees or foraging in yards. While their acrobatic movements in trees are well-known, a common question is whether squirrels nest in the ground. Understanding their diverse behaviors reveals that while many squirrel species are tree-dwellers, some indeed create homes beneath the earth’s surface.
Typical Squirrel Nesting Locations
Many squirrel species, such as gray squirrels, primarily build nests in trees. These arboreal squirrels construct two main types of nests: dreys and tree cavity dens. Dreys are external nests found high in tree branches, often at least 20 feet above the ground. Squirrels build these spherical structures using twigs as a base, then weave in leaves, moss, and other plant materials, often lining the interior with softer elements like shredded bark and grass for insulation. These nests provide shelter from weather and predators, and for raising young.
Tree cavity dens offer a more protected and stable dwelling within hollows or holes in tree trunks. Squirrels may utilize natural tree hollows or enlarge existing cavities. These dens are preferred, especially during colder months, as they offer superior protection from harsh weather and predators compared to dreys. Both dreys and tree dens are important for rest, warmth, and raising young, though squirrels often maintain multiple nests for various purposes.
Ground-Dwelling Squirrels and Their Burrows
While many squirrels inhabit trees, many species are adapted to life underground, creating intricate burrow systems. These include ground squirrels, chipmunks, and marmots, all members of the squirrel family (Sciuridae). These ground-dwelling squirrels dig extensive networks of tunnels and chambers that serve as their habitat. Burrows offer protection from predators, such as hawks, foxes, and snakes, and shield them from extreme temperatures.
A ground squirrel’s burrow system can be complex, featuring multiple entrances and varying in depth and length. Some systems extend from 5 to 30 feet in length and reach depths of 2 to 6 feet. These underground homes often contain distinct areas for sleeping, raising young, and storing food, which is important for species that hibernate or enter periods of dormancy. Burrows may be occupied by a single squirrel or, in some colonial species, by multiple individuals.
Identifying Ground Burrows
Identifying a ground squirrel burrow involves observing several characteristics. The entrance to a ground squirrel burrow is round, typically 2 to 4 inches in diameter; older entrances might be larger. You might notice excavated dirt around the entrance, forming a small mound, or the area around the hole might appear clean with worn-down grass from frequent use. Observing ground squirrel activity nearby can also indicate a burrow.
Distinguishing a squirrel burrow from those of other animals requires attention. Mole tunnels create raised ridges or volcano-shaped mounds of soil with no visible entrance. Vole holes are smaller, about 1-2 inches in diameter, and are accompanied by narrow, well-trodden surface runways through vegetation. Larger animals like groundhogs (woodchucks) create much larger burrow openings, 10 to 14 inches in diameter, with significant excavated soil. Squirrel burrows are specific in their size and often lack the distinct plugged entrance or extensive surface disruption seen with other burrowing creatures.