89 Facts About Squirrels: Stop Letting These Furry Bandits Rob Your Yard
🚨 SQUIRREL ALERT: I’m sick of the “expert” advice that treats squirrels like they’re just cute forest friends. If you’ve ever had one scream at you from a branch while you’re trying to enjoy a coffee on your Texas ranch or a tiny balcony in Sydney, you know they’re basically furry anarchists. We’ve seen them rob bird feeders in Canada and dodge traffic in the UK. They’re everywhere.
With grocery prices soaring—seriously, have you seen the price of a bag of carrots lately?—having these critters raid your garden is like watching someone steal money out of your wallet. I spend my time at fitforyard.com helping folks take back their yards. Whether you want to feed them or fight them, you need the real dirt. This isn’t just a list; it’s a survival manual.
We’re covering 89 facts, from how long they sleep to the weird truth about “splooting.” Stop overpaying for junk gadgets and start understanding the enemy. If you’re trying to beat inflation by growing your own food, you might even want to check out how to grow carrots in a hydroponic tower just to keep them away from these sharp-toothed thieves.
⏰ Squirrel Sleep and Activity Patterns
1. Are squirrels nocturnal?
Answer: No, squirrels are not nocturnal; they are crepuscular and diurnal. They’re most active at dawn and dusk to avoid predators that hunt in total darkness. If you hear something in your attic at 3 AM, it’s probably a rat or a raccoon, not a squirrel.
2. When are squirrels most active?
Answer: They hit their peak 2-3 hours after sunrise and about 2 hours before sunset. They spend the middle of the day napping or “splooting” to stay out of the midday sun.
3. What time do squirrels wake up?
Answer: They wake up just before sunrise. They’re the “early birds” of the mammal world, getting to the bird feeders and nut stashes before the rest of the neighborhood stirs.
4. What time do squirrels go to bed?
Answer: Most head back to the nest right at sunset. By the time it’s pitch black, they’re tucked into their dreys to avoid owls.
💡 PRO-TIP: If you’re setting traps, do it 1 hour after sunrise. That’s when their hunger outweighs their caution.
5. How long do squirrels sleep for?
Answer: A squirrel can sleep for 12 to 15 hours a day. It sounds lazy, but they burn a lot of energy when they’re awake, darting around at 20 mph.
6. Do squirrels sleep at night?
Answer: Yes. They follow the sun. When the light goes, they go. The only exception is the flying squirrel, which is strictly nocturnal.
7. Do squirrels sleep with their eyes open?
Answer: No, they close them. But they are incredibly light sleepers. If a leaf rustles, they’re awake and moving.
8. Do squirrels poop where they sleep?
Answer: No. They are cleaner than your average roommate. They typically go outside the nest on branches or the ground to keep their sleeping area sanitary.
🏠 Where Squirrels Live and Build Homes
9. Where do squirrels live?
Answer: They live everywhere from deep forests to NYC parks. They’re adaptable. As long as there are trees and a food source, they’ll move in.
10. Where do squirrels sleep?
Answer: In nests called dreys. These are messy-looking balls of twigs and leaves high in the forks of trees. They also love tree hollows for extra warmth.
11. Do all squirrels live in trees?
Answer: No. Tree squirrels (Gray, Fox, Red) live up high. Ground squirrels (Chipmunks, Prairie Dogs) live in complex tunnel systems in the dirt.
12. Do squirrels live in groups?
Answer: Usually, they’re solitary and grumpy. But in a brutal winter, they’ll share a nest to share body heat. Once spring hits, they kick everyone out.
13. Do squirrels stay in the same place?
Answer: Yes. Most squirrels live their whole lives within a few acres of where they were born. They know every branch and hiding spot in your yard.
14. How do squirrels make nests?
Answer: They weave a base of sticks, then build a shell of leaves and moss. They line the inside with soft stuff like fur or even stolen lint from your dryer vent.
15. Do squirrels live underground?
Answer: Ground squirrels do. They dig massive tunnels that can ruin your lawn. Tree squirrels only go down there to hide nuts or run away from a hawk.
❄️ Winter Survival and The Hibernation Myth
16. Do squirrels hibernate?
Answer: Most do not. Tree squirrels stay active all winter. They enter a state of torpor (deep sleep) during cold snaps, but they don’t sleep for months at a time.
17. Where do squirrels go in the winter?
Answer: They stay in their dreys or tree hollows. They huddle up and only come out for a few hours to dig up the nuts they buried in the fall.
18. Do fox squirrels hibernate?
Answer: No. Just like the grays, they are active year-round. You’ll see them out in the snow looking for breakfast.
19. Do ground squirrels hibernate?
Answer: Yes. Many ground squirrels are true hibernators. They go underground in October and don’t come back up until the ground thaws.
“I’ve watched these guys dig through six inches of snow to find a single acorn. They have a better memory for nuts than I do for my wedding anniversary.”
20. Do red squirrels hibernate?
Answer: No. They stay busy all winter guarding their “middens”—massive piles of pine cones they’ve stashed away.
21. How do squirrels stay warm in winter?
Answer: They grow a thick winter coat and use their tails as blankets. Wrapping that bushy tail around their body traps a lot of heat.
22. Do squirrels get cold?
Answer: Yes, they feel the chill. They shiver to generate heat and stay in their nests during windy storms to avoid wind chill.
23. How cold can squirrels survive?
Answer: They can handle temperatures well below zero if they are dry and have food. Wet fur and empty stomachs are what kill them in winter.
24. How does a squirrel prepare for winter?
Answer: They eat like they’re being paid for it to put on fat, and they bury thousands of nuts. They also reinforce their nests with mud and extra leaves.
25. Do squirrels like the snow?
Answer: It’s a hurdle for them. They can smell nuts through a foot of snow, but it makes moving around a lot more dangerous and tiring.
🥜 What Squirrels Eat (And How They Raid Your Garden)
26. What do squirrels eat?
Answer: They are opportunistic omnivores. Nuts and seeds are the favorites, but they’ll eat fruit, insects, and even bird eggs if they’re hungry.
27. Do squirrels eat tomatoes?
Answer: Yes, and they’re jerks about it. They usually take one bite just to get the water out of it, then leave the rest to rot on the vine.
28. Do squirrels eat carrots?
Answer: They love them. They’ll dig them right out of the dirt. If you’re tired of losing your crop, check out this DIY PVC hydroponic tower guide to grow them off the ground.
29. Do squirrels eat meat?
Answer: Yes. They aren’t just “nut eaters.” They raid bird nests for eggs and hatchlings to get protein. They’ve even been seen eating lizards.
30. Do squirrels eat chocolate?
Answer: No. It’s toxic. The theobromine in chocolate can kill them. Keep your candy bars to yourself.
31. Do squirrels eat bananas?
Answer: They love the sugar and potassium. They’ll eat a whole banana if you let them, but it’s not a natural part of their diet.
32. Can squirrels eat grapes?
Answer: Yes, but only in moderation. Too many can give them stomach issues. They prefer the crunchy stuff anyway.
33. Do squirrels eat bird eggs?
Answer: Yes. They are a major reason why some songbird nests fail. They want the protein and fat found in the eggs.
34. Do squirrels eat pistachios?
Answer: Yes, they love them. Just make sure they aren’t salted. Salt is hard on their tiny kidneys.
35. What is the best squirrel repellent plant?
Answer: Daffodils, Alliums, and Marigolds. They hate the smell and the taste. Planting these around your “good” veggies is a smart DIY move.
🍼 Babies and Reproduction
36. When do squirrels have babies?
Answer: Usually twice a year. Once in early spring (Feb/March) and again in mid-summer (June/July).
37. How many babies do squirrels have?
Answer: A typical litter is 2 to 4 babies. If there’s been a bumper crop of acorns, they might have up to 6.
38. How long are squirrels pregnant?
Answer: About 40 to 45 days. It’s a quick turnaround, which is why your yard can go from “a few squirrels” to “a squirrel army” in one season.
39. What do baby squirrels eat?
Answer: Milk for the first 6 weeks. After that, they start nibbling on soft buds and eventually move on to the hard nuts.
40. Do squirrels mate for life?
Answer: No. They aren’t the romantic type. The male shows up for mating and then disappears. The female does all the work.
41. What milk is safe for baby squirrels?
Answer: Only puppy milk replacer (Esbilac). Never give them cow’s milk—it will kill them. If you find an orphan, call a wildlife rehabber.
42. How much do baby squirrels sleep?
Answer: Almost the whole day. They only wake up when mom comes back to nurse. Growth takes a lot of energy.
🏃 Physical Traits and Weird Behaviors
43. Why do squirrels lay flat on trees?
Answer: This is called splooting. They do it to dump body heat. By pressing their bellies against a cool branch or stone, they stay chilled in the summer.
44. How fast can a squirrel run?
Answer: Up to 20 mph. They are incredibly agile, which is why your dog never catches them. Their hind legs are pure muscle.
45. Do a squirrel’s teeth ever stop growing?
Answer: No. Their front incisors grow about 6 inches a year. They have to gnaw on hard stuff to keep them from growing through their own skulls.
46. Can squirrels see in the dark?
Answer: Not well. They have great peripheral vision for spotting hawks during the day, but their night vision is trash. That’s why they go home at dusk.
47. Do squirrels blink?
Answer: Yes, but not often. They need to keep their eyes on the horizon for predators, so they keep them open as much as possible.
48. How long can squirrels hold their breath?
Answer: About 20-30 seconds. They aren’t swimmers, but if they fall into a pool, they can paddle well enough to get to the edge if there’s a ramp.
49. Why do squirrels twitch their tails?
Answer: It’s a warning signal. They’re telling other squirrels there’s a predator nearby, or they’re telling you to get away from their tree.
50. Can squirrels jump far?
Answer: They can leap 10 times their body length. This is why no bird feeder is truly “squirrel proof” unless it’s 10 feet away from every branch.
🛑 Management, Trapping, and “The Taste”
51. How to trap squirrels?
Answer: Use a live trap like a Havahart. Bait it with peanut butter. Once caught, you need to check local laws—releasing them in a park is illegal in some states.
52. What is a good bait for squirrels?
Answer: Peanut butter. They can’t just grab it and run; they have to stay and lick it, which gives the trap time to snap shut.
53. How to keep squirrels out of tomatoes?
Answer: Use wire mesh or bird netting. Providing a separate water source sometimes stops them from biting your tomatoes for moisture.
54. Can you eat squirrel?
Answer: Yes. It’s been a staple in the American diet since the pioneers. It’s very lean and tastes a bit like rabbit or dark meat chicken.
55. What does squirrel taste like?
Answer: It has a nutty flavor because of their diet. If they’ve been eating acorns all year, you’ll taste it in the meat. It’s best slow-cooked in a stew.
56. Is it cheaper than buying groceries?
Answer: If you’re talking about hunting them, yes. If you’re talking about the damage they do to your garden, they are a net loss. Stop the bleeding by building a high-end hydroponic system that they can’t climb easily.
57. How to attract squirrels?
Answer: Put out corn cobs and walnuts. Once they know there’s a free lunch, they’ll bring their friends and never leave. You’ve been warned.
⚡ The Final Rapid-Fire Facts
58. Do squirrels get fleas? Yes. They carry fleas and ticks.
59. Can squirrels carry rabies? It’s extremely rare.
60. Do squirrels have a good memory? No, they forget about 70% of their nut stashes.
61. How long do squirrels live? 5-6 years in the wild.
62. Do squirrels drink water? Yes. Daily.
63. Can squirrels climb brick? Yes. Like grappling hooks.
64. Do squirrels like peanut butter? It’s like crack to them.
65. Why do squirrels chase each other? Mating or territory.
66. Can squirrels swim? They can, but they hate it.
67. Do squirrels eat birdseed? Yes. They will bankrupt you.
68. Are squirrels pests? In a garden? Absolutely.
69. How much does a squirrel weigh? 1 to 1.5 pounds.
70. What is a group of squirrels called? A scurry.
71. Do squirrels have whiskers? Face and legs. For sensing.
72. Can squirrels fall and survive? Yes. From 100 feet.
73. Do squirrels recognize humans? Yes. Especially the ones with food.
74. What is a squirrel’s tail for? Balance and blanket.
75. Do squirrels eat pumpkins? Yes. They love ’em.
76. Can squirrels get into attics? If there’s a baseball-sized hole.
77. Do squirrels have thumbs? No, just nubs.
78. Are there black squirrels? Yes. Color variant of the Gray.
79. Do squirrels hibernate or migrate? Neither. They hunker.
80. Why do squirrels bark? Alarm call for predators.
81. What is a baby squirrel called? A kit or kitten.
82. Do squirrels have sweat glands? Only on paw pads.
83. Are squirrels smarter than dogs? In puzzles, yes.
84. Can squirrels eat pine cones? They eat the seeds inside.
85. Do squirrels eat apples? Yes. All of them.
86. Why are squirrels so fast? Because everyone wants to eat them.
87. Do squirrels eat roses? They eat the buds. Heartbreakers.
88. Can a squirrel bite? 7,000 PSI bite force. Don’t pet them.
89. Should I feed the squirrels? If you want them forever, sure. If you want veggies, no.
🏁 The Final Verdict: Knowledge is Power
The big takeaway? Squirrels are resourceful, persistent, and a little bit insane. If you want to keep your yard profitable and your sanity intact, you have to stay one step ahead of them. Whether you’re building a hydroponic strawberry system to keep the berries away from their reach or just learning their sleep schedule to set your traps, these 89 facts are your blueprint for success.
Stop overpaying for solutions that don’t work. For more updates on how to win the war on your backyard, keep an eye on our news category. Now, go fix that bird feeder—you’re being robbed.
