Squirrels are common and adaptable wildlife in urban and suburban environments, frequently interacting with human structures and resources. These small, energetic rodents are driven by fundamental biological requirements for survival and reproduction. Their pervasive presence in backyards and homes is explained by their search for reliable sustenance, safe shelter, and consistent hydration. This attraction is a direct response to the availability of concentrated, easily accessible provisions.
Primary Nutritional Needs
The primary draw for squirrels is the constant need for high-energy food sources to fuel their active, arboreal lifestyle. Their natural diet is rich in nuts, seeds, and acorns, providing the fats and proteins necessary for survival and caching through lean seasons. The high oil content in items like sunflower seeds and pecans makes them particularly attractive, offering a quick energy boost.
This biological drive makes them opportunistic feeders, readily exploiting human-provided resources. Backyard bird feeders, often stocked with seeds, become easy targets for foraging. Squirrels also seek out fruits and vegetables, such as berries, apples, and squash, for vitamins and fiber, and they will consume tree buds, fungi, and insects.
The abundance of food in residential areas leads squirrels to unsecured items. Pet food left outdoors, particularly dry kibble, is a dense source of protein and fat they readily consume. Poorly sealed garbage bins containing food scraps also offer a consistent, low-effort food source. This urban diet allows for higher population densities than are seen in natural habitats.
Habitat and Nesting Location Appeal
Following the procurement of food, squirrels seek secure locations offering protection from predators and the elements, and safe sites for raising young. In nature, tree cavities are preferred nesting locations due to their insulation and durability. If hollows are unavailable, squirrels construct nests, called dreys, high in tree forks using twigs, leaves, and bark.
Urban structures provide appealing alternatives that often surpass the safety and warmth of natural nests. Attics, wall voids, and eaves offer dark, dry, and sheltered spaces. These areas are often warmer than outdoor nests, making them especially attractive during cold weather or breeding seasons when females build maternity nests for their litters.
The materials within human-built structures also serve as convenient, soft nesting supplies. Squirrels readily shred and gather insulation, newspaper, and cloth found in attics or sheds to line their dreys. They often build nests in the foundational structure of gutters or chimneys, which offer a solid base and protection. The presence of mature trees near a home is also significant, providing canopy cover for safe travel and potential natural nesting sites.
Water Availability and Hydration Sources
Although squirrels obtain moisture from their diet, particularly fruits and herbaceous plants, they still require reliable sources of drinking water. Their daily needs are small, but this requirement increases significantly in hot weather or when their diet consists primarily of dry items like nuts and seeds.
In natural settings, squirrels hydrate by drinking from streams, puddles, or by licking dew or rainwater collected on leaves and grass. In residential areas, however, they quickly adapt to accessing artificial water sources. Bird baths are a frequent target because they are easily accessible and kept full, especially during dry periods.
Other convenient hydration points include pet water bowls left on decks or patios. Squirrels will also exploit sources of pooling or dripping water, such as leaky outdoor faucets, air conditioning condensation, or the edges of swimming pools. Providing a consistent water supply unintentionally supports the local squirrel population, especially when natural sources are scarce.