The Squirrel’s Home: Understanding Their Nests
Squirrels construct various types of nests for shelter from weather and predators, and to raise their young. The most recognized type is called a drey. These structures provide refuge throughout the year for tree-dwelling squirrels. Understanding their forms and locations helps identify squirrel presence.
The Classic Squirrel Nest: The Drey
A typical squirrel drey is a large, roughly spherical or oval-shaped structure in tree branches. It often appears somewhat messy from a distance, blending into the surrounding foliage. The outer layer is constructed from interwoven twigs, leaves, and bark, forming a robust protective shell against wind, rain, and cold.
Inside this framework, the squirrel creates a soft, insulated inner chamber. This lining consists of fine materials like shredded bark, dried grasses, moss, fur, or feathers. A complete drey measures about 12 to 19 inches (30 to 48 centimeters) in diameter, offering space for an adult squirrel or a small litter of pups. These nests are commonly found high in the tree canopy, often nestled in branch crooks or close to the main trunk for stability.
Beyond the Drey: Tree Cavities and Other Nesting Spots
While dreys are common, squirrels also use natural tree cavities as nesting sites. These hollows or holes are found within mature tree trunks or large branches, often from decay or old wounds. Squirrels adapt these spaces by lining them with soft materials like shredded bark, leaves, and moss to create a comfortable internal nest. The entrance is simply the cavity opening, which varies in size and shape.
Squirrels may also use man-made structures, especially when natural cavities are scarce. This includes spaces in attics, chimneys, or shed eaves. Here, the “nest” is an enclosed space the squirrel lines with soft materials for warmth and comfort. The nest’s appearance is defined by the human structure, with the squirrel adding internal bedding.
Nests for Every Season: Seasonal and Nursery Nests
Squirrel nests vary subtly by season and purpose. Winter dreys are more robust and densely packed with insulating materials than summer ones. The increased use of leaves, bark, and other debris creates a warmer core for colder months. These winter nests are often in sheltered tree locations, offering additional protection from harsh weather.
Nursery nests, used for raising young, emphasize security and concealment. They might be in secluded tree canopy parts or deeper within a tree cavity, minimizing predator disturbance. While their outward appearance may resemble other dreys, their internal construction prioritizes a soft, warm, and safe environment for pups. The female squirrel ensures these nests are well-insulated and often maintains multiple sites, allowing her to move her young if a nest is disturbed.
Distinguishing Squirrel Nests from Other Animal Dwellings
Distinguishing squirrel nests from other animal dwellings, like bird nests, involves observing several characteristics. Squirrel dreys are typically much larger than most bird nests, appearing as a bulky, spherical mass of leaves and twigs. Bird nests are usually smaller, more intricately woven, and often cup-shaped to hold eggs and chicks. Building materials also differ: squirrel dreys use larger twigs and compacted leaves, while bird nests incorporate finer grasses, mud, or human-made fibers.
Squirrel nests are commonly found at higher elevations in trees, nestled securely in main crooks or close to the trunk for support. Bird nests vary widely in placement, from high branches to low shrubs. Squirrel dreys can also be distinguished from insect structures like wasp nests by their composition; wasp nests are typically papery and gray, made from chewed wood pulp, unlike a squirrel’s leafy and twiggy home. These differences provide clear identification cues.