How Do Squirrels Survive in the Winter? 
Squirrels build bushy nests for the winter, called drays. These are made of leaves, twigs, and moss. They will also use cavities in trees or artificial nest boxes. They will huddle together and stay warm. The main purpose of a dray is to provide warmth and shelter. But, how do squirrels survive in the winter?
Ground squirrels hibernate
Ground squirrels hibernate during the winter. This is not surprising, as these creatures do not drink or eat for eight months. The secret to surviving this long period is to store food and water for the winter. They spend the entire time in their nests. It is not entirely clear where they go during the day. Scientists are still investigating the subject and hope to find answers soon. But in the meantime, we should understand how ground squirrels stay warm and hydrated during the winter.
When temperatures drop below 32 degrees Fahrenheit, ground squirrels will hibernate for eight months. The ground squirrels will rouse from hibernation every 14 to 21 days to produce new immune cells and increase their brain function. Then, they will shiver back down to 37 degrees Celsius and resume their hibernation. This cycle will repeat itself after a day, but the process can be repeated over again.
Tree squirrels don’t hibernate
Some people might be surprised to learn that squirrels don’t hibernate during the winter. Hibernation is a process in which animals slow down their metabolism in preparation for the long winter months. This process is extremely energy-intensive and requires enormous energy reserves. Some animals, like rodents, are unable to withstand the stress of hibernation, which is why they don’t do it at all. Tree squirrels, however, take their winter preparation very seriously.
Squirrels’ behaviors are adapted to their environment and habitat. Because they are widespread, they must have evolved to adapt to these climates and environments. In this AnimalWised article, we’ll take a look at their winter behaviors. If you want to learn more about how tree squirrels survive in cold temperatures, read on! Here’s a quick summary:
Fox squirrels sleep at night
Many species of squirrels spend the daytime doing their everyday business but reserve the night for sleep. During the day, a squirrel might be underground in a burrow caring for its young. At night, however, a tree squirrel will head to a den or dray to sleep. The squirrels that live in urban areas often share a den with other members of the species. Here, the females will usually stay with their young.
During the winter months, many types of squirrels sleep in burrows or tree nests for several months. In warm climates, they may venture outdoors for a few days and then sleep again for several days. During the summer, squirrels in urban areas may enter a state of estivation in order to escape heat. During this period, they reduce their heart rate and breathing and sleep continuously.
Gray squirrels build a nest
While grey squirrels are known as tree-squirrels, they tend to live in wooded areas. They will build their nests in tree cavities or in the branches of trees. They may also use a woodpecker hole as a den. These dens are usually shared by several adults to conserve heat. Nests are made of leaves and twigs and may become fire hazards if squirrels chew electrical wires. In order to protect themselves, females will move their litters from tree-to-tree during the winter.
A gray squirrel’s nest is a sphere-shaped structure made of tightly-woven branches and leaves. The nest is insulated and usually about six to eight inches in diameter. The nests of smaller species are usually only about two feet wide. This is because they are smaller than the nests of larger species. This means the nests of smaller species are more compact and can fit more materials.
Migration helps animals survive
In cold climates, animals migrate to warmer regions to survive the winter. They don’t have to work as hard to stay warm, and the food supply remains at normal levels. In winter, some animals build large food caches that will help them survive, such as squirrels. While the red squirrel and fox squirrel may hide individual nuts, they may place all of their food in one location. This way, they won’t have to worry about finding enough food to survive during the cold winter months.
Although migration is an adaptation, many animals also migrate for reproductive purposes, which include finding mates, raising young, and reproducing. Salmon, for example, start their lives in rivers and then migrate to the sea to feed and reproduce. Red crabs, on the other hand, migrate to the ocean to reproduce. Those are just a few examples of animals that migrate to survive the winter season. Migration is a necessary part of life for animals, so it is good to know the reasons behind their behavior.
What are some adaptations that allow squirrels to survive in the winter?
Some adaptations that allow squirrels to survive in the winter include thicker fur coats storing food and hibernating.
How do thicker fur coats help squirrels survive in the winter?
Thicker fur coats help squirrels survive in the winter by providing them with insulation from the cold weather.
What is another way that squirrels can survive in the winter besides having thicker fur coats?
Another way that squirrels can survive in the winter is by storing food.
How does storing food help squirrels survive in the winter?
Storing food helps squirrels survive in the winter because it gives them a food source to fall back on when resources are scarce.
What is the third way that squirrels can survive in the winter?
The third way that squirrels can survive in the winter is by hibernating.
What is hibernation?
Hibernation is a state of inactivity that animals enter in order to survive periods of scarce resources such as in the winter.
How does hibernation help animals survive in the winter?
Hibernation helps animals survive in the winter by allowing them to conserve energy and resources.
What are some other animals that hibernate in the winter?
Some other animals that hibernate in the winter include bats bears and groundhogs.
How do bats hibernate in the winter?
Bats hibernate in the winter by hanging upside down in caves.
How do bears hibernate in the winter?
Bears hibernate in the winter by finding a den and sleeping through the winter months.
How do groundhogs hibernate in the winter?
Groundhogs hibernate in the winter by going into a deep sleep and emerging in the spring.
Are there any other animals that use hibernation to survive in the winter?
Yes there are other animals that use hibernation to survive in the winter including rodents frogs and snakes.
How do rodents hibernate in the winter?
Rodents hibernate in the winter by going into a deep sleep and emerging in the spring.
How do frogs hibernate in the winter?
Frogs hibernate in the winter by buried themselves in the mud at the bottom of ponds and lakes.
How do snakes hibernate in the winter?
Snakes hibernate in the winter by going into a deep sleep and emerging in the spring.
Jessica Watson is a PHD holder from the University of Washington. She studied behavior and interaction between squirrels and has presented her research in several wildlife conferences including TWS Annual Conference in Winnipeg.
