Squirrels are a familiar sight, and their active nature often prompts questions about their daily and seasonal routines. Understanding their activity patterns provides insights into their survival strategies and interactions with their surroundings. This article explores factors influencing squirrel activity throughout the day and year.
Daily Activity Patterns
Squirrels are primarily diurnal, with activity often peaking in a bimodal pattern. This involves heightened activity in the early morning, a few hours after sunrise, and again in the late afternoon, several hours before dusk. For instance, Eastern gray squirrels are most active about two hours after sunrise and two to five hours before sunset.
During these peak periods, squirrels forage for food, bury nuts and seeds, and interact with other squirrels. The bimodal pattern helps them avoid midday heat, especially in warmer months, and reduces exposure to predators. Some species, like the Eurasian red squirrel, also use a mid-day rest period in their nests to avoid heat and reduce visibility to birds of prey.
Seasonal Changes in Activity
Squirrel activity changes with the seasons, reflecting variations in food availability and environmental conditions. During warmer months like spring and summer, squirrels are more active as food sources become abundant. In spring, they increase food intake to replenish energy stores, feeding on buds, flowers, and young plants. Summer sees continued foraging as they build fat reserves, consuming fruits, berries, nuts, and seeds.
Autumn is a period of high activity as squirrels prepare for winter. They forage and cache nuts and seeds in various locations for later retrieval. This scatter hoarding supports their survival during colder months. While squirrels do not truly hibernate, they reduce activity in winter, spending more time in nests and venturing out during milder periods to access cached food. They may enter torpor, a short-term lowering of body temperature and metabolic rate, to conserve energy during very cold spells.
Environmental Influences on Activity
Beyond daily and seasonal rhythms, environmental factors also influence squirrel activity. Extreme temperatures change their routines; for example, activity decreases when temperatures rise above 21°C (68°F), ceasing above 25°C (77°F). Conversely, squirrels remain active in very cold temperatures, foraging in temperatures as low as -12°C (10°F).
Heavy precipitation, such as rain or snow, and strong winds cause squirrels to seek shelter and reduce outdoor activity. Food availability directly impacts foraging intensity; abundant food can reduce their overall foraging effort. The presence of predators also influences their movement patterns and habitat choice, as squirrels select areas offering better protection.