Have you ever looked up at a tree and seen a big ball of leaves? You might have wondered what it was. Many people ask, “do squirrels make nests?” The answer is a big yes! Squirrels are expert home builders.
They create cozy and safe nests for themselves and their families. These homes are not just random piles of leaves. They are carefully built shelters. Squirrels use them to stay warm, dry, and safe from danger.
This guide will tell you everything about these amazing squirrel nests. We will explore how they are built and what materials squirrels use. You will learn all about their clever nesting habits.
So, let’s get ready to uncover the secrets of a squirrel’s home. You will be amazed at how smart these little creatures are!
Yes, Squirrels Are Amazing Nest Builders!
Squirrels are just like us in one way. They need a safe place to live. They can’t just sleep anywhere. So, they build their own homes. These nests provide a perfect squirrel shelter.
They build them to protect themselves from bad weather. A good nest keeps them dry when it rains. It also keeps them warm when it’s cold outside. This is very important for their winter nests.
Nests are also a safe place away from predators. Animals like hawks, owls, and cats hunt squirrels. A well-hidden nest helps them stay out of sight.
Most importantly, nests are nurseries for baby squirrels. A mother squirrel needs a secure spot for raising young. Her nest is the safest place for her tiny babies to grow up.
What Are the Two Types of Squirrel Nests?
Squirrels build two main kinds of nests. Both serve the same purpose: to be a safe home. But they build them in different places and with different materials. One is a leafy ball high in a tree. The other is a cozy room inside a tree.
Dreys: The Famous Leafy Nests
The most common type of squirrel nest is called a drey. These are the big, messy-looking balls of leaves you see in tree branches. From the outside, they might look messy. But on the inside, they are very well made.
These leaf nests are built on strong tree branches. Squirrels choose a spot that is high and stable. They weave together twigs to make a strong frame. Then, they fill it in with lots of leaves and other materials. A drey is a year-round home for many squirrels.
Dens: The Cozier Tree Homes
The second type of nest is called a den. A den is a home inside a tree hollow. This is a natural hole in a tree trunk or a large branch. Sometimes, old woodpecker holes become squirrel dens.
Dens are the best homes for squirrels. They are stronger and safer than dreys. The hard wood of the tree protects them from wind, rain, and predators. Dens are especially important in the winter. They provide excellent protection from the cold. A squirrel will always choose a good den over a drey if one is available.
What Do Squirrels Make Their Nests Out Of?
Squirrels are resourceful builders. They use many different things to build their homes. They gather materials from all around their territory. The materials they use make their nests strong on the outside and soft on the inside. This is key to their nest construction.
The Sturdy Outer Shell: Twigs and Leaves
For the outside of the nest, squirrels need strong materials. This creates a sturdy shell that protects them. They start by weaving a platform of twigs and leaves. They might also use vines or small branches.
They pack these materials tightly. This makes the nest waterproof and windproof. They will even use wet leaves and mud. When these dry, they act like glue, making the nest stronger. This creates very strong nests.
The Comfy Inside: Moss, Grass, and Soft Fluff
The inside of the nest is all about comfort. Squirrels line their homes with soft materials. This soft lining keeps them warm and cozy. It’s also a gentle bed for their babies.
Common nesting materials for the inside include:
- Dry grass
- Moss
- Shredded bark
- Feathers
- Pine needles
- Fur they find or pull from their own tails
Sometimes, squirrels find man-made materials too. They might use shredded paper, insulation, or fabric. They will use almost anything soft they can find to make their home perfect.
How Do Squirrels Build a Nest? A Step-by-Step Look
How squirrels build nests is a fascinating process. It shows how intelligent they are. They don’t just throw things together. They follow a careful plan.
- Find the Right Spot: First, the squirrel chooses a location. For a drey, this is usually a strong fork in a tree branch, high off the ground. For a den, it’s a suitable hole in a tree.
- Build the Foundation: Next, they build the base. The squirrel weaves together a platform of twigs. They carry twigs in their mouth, one by one. This creates a solid floor for their home.
- Create the Walls: After the base is ready, they start building up the walls. They continue to weave twigs and vines into a rough ball shape. This forms the outer shell of the nest.
- Fill the Gaps: The squirrel then stuffs the shell with leaves, moss, and wet dirt. This makes the nest strong and weatherproof. They pack it all in tightly to keep the wind and rain out.
- Add the Soft Lining: Once the shell is finished, it’s time to make it cozy. The squirrel brings in all kinds of soft materials. They create a thick, soft bed inside.
- Make an Entrance: Finally, they make one or two small holes to get in and out. The inside of a finished nest is about 6 to 8 inches wide. It’s just big enough for a squirrel family.
Where Do Squirrels Usually Make Their Nests?
Squirrels are adaptable. They can build homes in many different places. Their main goal is to find a spot that is safe and secure. Most of the time, this means going up high.
High Up in the Trees
The most common answer to “where do squirrels nest?” is in the trees. Nests in trees are safe from many ground predators. Squirrels often build in tall, mature trees with lots of branches.
They especially like oak and elm trees. These trees have strong branches for building dreys. They also often have natural holes that make perfect dens. You can also find squirrel nests in pine trees. The thick needles give them extra cover.
What About on the Ground?
Some types of squirrels are different. Ground squirrel nests are not in trees at all. As their name suggests, these squirrels live underground. They dig complex burrows with tunnels and chambers.
These burrows protect them from the heat and from predators. The entrance is often hidden under a rock or a bush. So, while most squirrels live up high, some make their homes down low.
Sneaky Spots: Nests in Houses, Attics, and Cars
Sometimes, squirrels decide our homes are good places to live. A squirrel nest in attic spaces is very common. Attics are warm, dry, and safe from predators. They are like a perfect, ready-made den.
A squirrel nest in house walls can also happen. They can chew through wood to get inside. You might also find nests in chimneys, sheds, or even inside the engine of a parked car. While this is clever, it can cause a lot of damage. If you find a nest in your home, it’s best to call a professional for help (link to your article on getting rid of squirrels).
Why Do Squirrels Need to Build Nests?
A nest is more than just a bed for a squirrel. It is essential for their survival. They build nests for three main reasons: safety, raising a family, and protection from the weather.
A Safe Place to Sleep and Rest
Squirrels need a safe place to rest. During the day, they are very active. They run, jump, and search for food they like to eat. At night, they need to sleep without worrying about danger.
A nest high in a tree or deep in a den keeps them hidden. It’s a peaceful place where they can recharge their energy for the next day.
A Nursery for Their Baby Squirrels
Nests are crucial for raising a family. A mother squirrel gives birth to her babies in the nest. Baby squirrels are born blind, hairless, and helpless. They need a warm and protected environment.
The nest acts as a nursery. The soft lining keeps the babies warm. The strong outer shell keeps them safe from harm. The mother can leave to find food, knowing her babies are secure.
Read our full guide on baby squirrels.
Staying Warm and Dry in Winter
Winter can be tough for squirrels. Cold temperatures, snow, and wind are big challenges. A well-built nest is vital for survival. Winter nests are often built stronger and with more insulation than summer nests.
Squirrels will huddle together in their dens or dreys to share body heat. The thick walls of the nest trap this heat, keeping them warm. It protects them from the cold and helps them save energy when food is scarce.
Do Different Kinds of Squirrels Build Different Nests?
There are many types of squirrels around the world Their nesting habits can be slightly different. Let’s look at two common types: grey squirrels and red squirrels.
Grey Squirrel Nesting Habits
Grey squirrel nests are the ones you see most often in parks and backyards. They are experts at building dreys. They will build several nests within their territory.
They usually have a main home, which is often a den. Then they have several dreys they use for napping or as backups. If one nest is attacked by a predator, they can quickly move their family to another one.
How Red Squirrels Make Their Homes
Red squirrel nests are similar to grey squirrel nests. However, red squirrels often live in forests with lots of pine trees. They build their dreys close to the tree trunk, where they are well-supported.
They also make great use of soft materials. They often line their nests with shredded cedar bark, moss, and grass. Like grey squirrels, they also prefer dens in tree hollows whenever they can find them.
Fun Facts About Squirrel Nests
Squirrel nests are full of surprises. Here are a few more interesting facts about them.
Do Male or Female Squirrels Build the Nest?
Both male and female squirrels know how to build a nest. The female, however, does most of the work when it comes to the nursery nest. She makes it extra strong and soft for her babies.
Males do not help raise the young. After mating, the male squirrel leaves. The mother squirrel builds the nest and cares for the babies all by herself. She is a true supermom!
Why Do Squirrels Have More Than One Nest?
You might be surprised to learn that squirrels often have multiple nests. One squirrel can have as many as five or six nests in its territory. There are a few clever reasons for this.
First, it’s about safety. If a predator finds one nest, the squirrel has other places to flee to. Second, it helps with cleanliness. Nests can get fleas and other parasites. By moving around, squirrels keep themselves cleaner. They also have different nests for different purposes—some for winter, some for summer, and some just for a quick nap.
How You Can Help a Squirrel
If you love watching squirrels, you might want to help them. One way is to put up a nesting box. A squirrel nesting box is a wooden box that acts like an artificial den.
It gives them a safe and sturdy home. This is especially helpful in areas where there aren’t many old trees with natural hollows. Make sure to place the box high up in a tree, away from where cats or other predators can reach it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Most squirrel nests can hold 2–6 baby squirrels along with the mother, depending on the nest size and the squirrel species.
Yes, squirrels often return to old nests, especially if they’re still in good condition. They may repair and reliner them before moving back in.
Squirrels usually build nests within a short distance—often less than 100 yards—from reliable food supplies like nut trees or bird feeders.
While most squirrels are solitary, they sometimes share nests in winter to conserve body heat, especially in extremely cold climates.
No, squirrels are diurnal, meaning they work during the day. Nest building usually happens in the early morning or late afternoon.
Abandoned nests may be taken over by birds, insects, or other small mammals, or they gradually break down from weather exposure.
Conclusion: A Squirrel’s Nest Is a True Wonder
So, do squirrels make nests? Absolutely! From the leafy dreys in tree branches to the hidden dens in tree hollows, a squirrel’s home is a masterpiece of natural engineering.
These nests are not just simple shelters. They are warm nurseries, safe hideouts, and cozy beds. Building a nest is one of the most important skills a squirrel has. It allows them to survive, raise their young, and thrive in all seasons.
