Squirrels are ubiquitous residents of many wooded and urban environments. While their acrobatic foraging is often entertaining, their droppings are a common sign of their presence. These small, arboreal rodents, including the familiar Eastern Gray Squirrel, leave behind waste that can be a curious discovery for homeowners and nature observers. Understanding their bathroom habits provides insight into their daily lives and potential activity around human dwellings.
Daily Frequency and Volume
A squirrel’s high-energy lifestyle and fast metabolism necessitate frequent elimination throughout the day. Due to their fiber-rich diet of nuts, seeds, fruits, and insects, their digestive system processes food efficiently, leading to a substantial number of small droppings. A common estimate for a healthy, active adult squirrel is an average of 15 to 25 defecations per day. This frequency can vary depending on the animal’s exact diet, hydration levels, and overall health.
Identifying Squirrel Droppings
Identifying squirrel droppings requires attention to their physical characteristics, which distinguish them from other common household pests. The pellets are typically small, measuring approximately 3/8 of an inch (5 to 8 millimeters) or less in length. Their shape is cylindrical or barrel-like, with distinct rounded or blunt ends, sometimes presenting with a slight bulge or twist.
When freshly deposited, the droppings are usually dark brown or black and may appear moist. As the waste ages and dries out, the color will lighten significantly, often fading to a gray, light brown, or off-white hue. This appearance contrasts with the droppings of a house mouse, which are smaller and have pointed ends, or a rat, which tends to be thicker and less consistently shaped.
Defecation Habits and Location
Unlike some other rodents that maintain a single, communal toilet area, squirrels generally exhibit scattered defecation habits, often eliminating waste while running or climbing. However, when squirrels inhabit enclosed, protected spaces like an attic or chimney, they may use certain spots repeatedly, creating what resembles a small, concentrated latrine. This repeated use of a favored location is common with species such as the Gray Squirrel.
The locations where droppings are found often indicate the animal’s travel paths and nesting sites. Indoors, droppings are typically discovered in attics, crawl spaces, or near entry points like soffits and vents. Outdoors, common sites include the base of large trees, on ledges, or directly underneath bird feeders, which serve as regular food sources.
Health Concerns Related to Droppings
Exposure to squirrel droppings carries specific public health risks due to the pathogens they can harbor. The waste may contain bacteria, such as Salmonella and the agent responsible for Leptospirosis, which can be transmitted to humans. Additionally, the droppings can contain parasites like Roundworm, which poses a risk if accidentally ingested.
The most common concern arises when dried droppings are disturbed, causing fine particles to become airborne and potentially inhaled. When cleaning up squirrel waste, it is important to wear personal protective equipment, including gloves and a properly fitted face mask, to prevent contact or inhalation. It is advisable to lightly mist the droppings with water or a disinfectant before removal to prevent the dried pellets from releasing harmful dust into the air.