Squirrels are a familiar sight in many environments. While their presence seems constant during daylight hours, their activity levels are not uniform throughout the day. They follow a specific daily routine, influenced by environmental cues, which guides their foraging, resting, and sheltering behaviors.
Squirrels’ Active Hours
Most squirrel species are diurnal, meaning they are active during the daytime. They typically exhibit a bimodal activity pattern, characterized by two main peaks. The first peak occurs in the early morning, often a few hours after sunrise, as they emerge from their nests to search for food. Grey squirrels may be active just before dawn, while red squirrels typically appear about 30 minutes after sunrise.
The second peak of activity happens in the late afternoon or early evening, as they prepare to settle down for the night. During the hottest part of the day, particularly in summer, squirrels often take a rest period, retreating to their dens or finding shade to conserve energy and avoid heat. This midday lull allows them to manage their body temperature. Squirrels do not hibernate, remaining active year-round, though their daily activity duration changes with the seasons.
Factors Affecting Their Schedule
Squirrels’ daily routines are adaptable and influenced by several environmental factors. Seasonal changes play a significant role, with squirrels generally being active for shorter periods in winter compared to summer. In autumn, their activity intensifies as they gather and cache nuts and seeds, preparing for colder months. Spring brings increased foraging as they seek new food sources like buds and young shoots to replenish energy depleted during winter.
Weather conditions also dictate their activity. Squirrels prefer bright, calm, and dry days for foraging. They tend to reduce activity during heavy rain, strong winds, or extreme cold to conserve energy and stay safe. Extreme heat can also lead to reduced activity, with squirrels seeking shelter or adopting postures to disperse heat. Food availability directly impacts their schedule, driving them to spend more time foraging when resources are abundant.
The presence of predators can also alter a squirrel’s activity patterns. Squirrels may reduce their total daily activity or shift their active times to avoid predators such as birds of prey, martens, or domestic pets. This adaptation helps them manage the risks associated with foraging and movement.
Where Squirrels Go at Night
When their daytime activities conclude, squirrels seek shelter for rest and protection. They typically retreat to nests known as dreys, which are often constructed in the forks or branches of tall trees. These dreys are spherical structures made from woven twigs and branches, lined with leaves, grass, and moss for insulation. Squirrels may also utilize natural tree cavities or holes as dens, especially during colder months, as these offer more protection and warmth.
The purpose of these nocturnal retreats is primarily for safety from predators, warmth, and uninterrupted rest. While tree squirrels build dreys or use tree cavities, ground squirrels, such as chipmunks, burrow into the earth for their nocturnal shelter. Regardless of the type of shelter, squirrels are generally inactive and sleeping during the night, conserving energy for the next day.