Squirrels are active, adaptable rodents found across North American habitats. They play a role in local ecosystems, often seen burying nuts and contributing to seed dispersal. Understanding their reproductive cycles offers insight into their presence throughout the year.
The Squirrel Breeding Cycle
Squirrel reproduction involves specific behaviors and biological stages. During mating season, male squirrels often engage in noisy chases, pursuing a female to compete for attention. A female is receptive for less than a day, and her pheromones attract numerous males. Males do not participate in raising the young.
Gestation for squirrels, particularly gray squirrels, generally lasts between 38 and 46 days. A litter typically consists of two to six young, though sizes can range from one to nine depending on the species. Newborn squirrels, called kits or pups, are born blind, deaf, and hairless, relying entirely on their mother for warmth and nourishment. Their eyes usually open around four weeks of age, and they begin to explore outside the nest at about six weeks, becoming fully weaned by 10 to 12 weeks.
When to Expect Baby Squirrels
Squirrels typically have two distinct breeding seasons annually, resulting in two main periods for births. The first mating season usually occurs from late December or early January through February. This results in litters being born in late winter to early spring, generally February through April.
The second breeding period occurs from late June through August. A second wave of baby squirrels is born in mid-to-late summer, typically August or September. While this general pattern holds for many regions, specific timings can shift based on geographical location and climate, with warmer areas potentially seeing earlier or more pronounced seasons. The availability of food resources can also influence whether a female squirrel produces one or two litters. Mothers often choose tree cavities or construct leafy nests (dreys) to raise their young, sometimes utilizing human structures like attics for shelter.
What to Do if You Find a Baby Squirrel
Finding a baby squirrel on the ground can be concerning, but direct intervention is not always necessary. First, assess the squirrel for visible injuries like bleeding, open wounds, broken bones, or signs of contact with a cat or dog. If injured or covered in insect eggs, it requires immediate professional attention; contact a licensed wildlife rehabilitator.
If the baby squirrel appears uninjured, its best chance of survival is with its mother. Avoid giving the baby food or water, as improper feeding can cause harm. To facilitate a reunion, place the uninjured baby in a small, open container, such as a cardboard box, lined with a soft cloth. Provide a heat source, like a warm water bottle wrapped in a towel or a chemical hand warmer, as baby squirrels can get cold quickly. Position this box close to where the squirrel was found, ideally at the base of the nearest tree or structure from which it may have fallen. Keep pets and children away and observe from a distance for five to eight daylight hours. Mothers rarely abandon their young and will typically retrieve them if given the opportunity. If the mother has not returned by dusk or after the observation period, contact a local wildlife rehabilitator.