Grey squirrels, familiar inhabitants of many backyards and parks, exhibit fascinating behaviors concerning their resting places. Understanding where these creatures sleep provides insights into their survival strategies and adaptability. Their choice of sleeping quarters reflects securing safe and comfortable spots for rest and raising their young.
Natural Sleeping Quarters
Grey squirrels primarily utilize two types of natural shelters for sleeping: dreys and tree cavities. A drey is a spherical nest constructed from leafy branches, twigs, moss, pine needles, shredded bark, and grass, typically measuring between one to two feet in diameter. It has an inner lining of softer materials like feathers or fur for insulation. Dreys are often found high in trees, usually 20 to 40 feet above the ground, nestled in tree crotches or close to the main trunk for enhanced stability. They generally feature a small entrance hole, sometimes two, providing an escape route.
Tree cavities are natural hollows formed within tree trunks or large branches, often created by decay or abandoned woodpecker excavations. These natural dens offer superior protection and insulation compared to dreys. Squirrels line these cavities with soft materials such as moss and leaves to create a warm interior. While dreys are used year-round, tree cavities are particularly favored during colder months due to their excellent thermal properties.
Factors Influencing Their Sleep Choices
Several factors guide a grey squirrel’s decision on where to sleep, including seasonal changes, the need for safety, proximity to food, and the demands of raising young. During warmer seasons, dreys are frequently used. As temperatures drop in autumn and winter, squirrels often seek out more insulated tree cavities, or they reinforce their dreys. Multiple squirrels may huddle together in a single drey or cavity during winter to conserve body heat.
Protection from predators significantly influences sleeping site selection. Being diurnal, grey squirrels sleep at night to avoid nocturnal predators such as owls and raccoons. A drey positioned high in a tree offers an elevated vantage point, while a tree cavity provides a more enclosed and secure refuge from larger threats. Squirrels often maintain multiple dreys within their territory, allowing them to switch locations if a nest is disturbed. They also choose sleeping spots close to reliable food sources.
When raising their young, female squirrels exhibit a heightened preference for secure and warm locations. Tree cavities are frequently chosen as nursery dens because they offer superior insulation and protection for vulnerable litters. If a drey is damaged, a mother squirrel may relocate her pups to a safer alternative nest. This careful selection of breeding sites underscores the importance of a safe environment for the survival of their offspring.
Less Common Sleeping Places
Grey squirrels demonstrate remarkable adaptability, occasionally using less conventional sleeping places in urban environments. They may take shelter in attics, sheds, garages, or even within the walls of buildings. These locations, while not ideal, offer warmth, dryness, and protection, especially during colder months or when natural tree cavities are scarce. Such adaptations can lead to conflicts with homeowners due to property damage.
While highly unusual for extended periods, a grey squirrel might occasionally rest on the ground during the day if it feels secure and undisturbed. However, this behavior is rare due to the increased risk of predation. The flexibility of grey squirrels in finding shelter, even in challenging or unconventional environments, highlights their widespread success and resilience.