How Many Hiking Places Can a Squirrel Remember?
If you’ve ever wondered how a squirrel is able to remember so many different hiding places, you’ve come to the right place. Here are four theories on how squirrels manage to remember as many as 9,000 locations. But which of these theories is more plausible? And what does it mean for us? If a squirrel can remember 7,000 hiding places, why can’t we?
Table of Contents
9,000
According to a recent study, gray squirrels bury as many as 9,000 nuts a year, and they are even better at remembering where they hid the nuts. Scientists have suggested that they may have developed this behavior as a form of quality control, since they often bury nuts in muddy areas or under bushes where other squirrels are unlikely to see them. To prevent this, they have adopted some clever tactics. In some cases, they will pretend to bury a nut in an unusual location so that other squirrels can’t find it.
There are 9,000 different types of trees in the United States, and these are where the most squirrels hide. During the fall, tree squirrels make a mental map of their surroundings in order to find the nuts. The map grows larger as they hunt for nuts, and in the spring, the mental map shrinks back to its smaller size. Fortunately, tree squirrels are quite clever animals. They live in an environment that is highly complex, and their brains are able to grow to accommodate this complexity.
8,000
Squirrels have an ingenious way of keeping their food safe. Instead of storing it in a single place, they scatter caches throughout their home range. The home range is as big as seven acres. Some squirrels even create a midden in which they store food. Often berries or bones are buried, and they keep track of where they buried these caches for future use. Interestingly, they even remember where they buried them so they can easily find them again.
One of the best ways to spot a squirrel hiding a nut is to observe it with your own eyes. You’ll notice that they’re constantly inspecting their surroundings to see if curious eyes are looking. If they notice you, they’ll quickly burrow into the hiding spot. If you’re unlucky enough to spot a squirrel with a nut, it’s likely that the critter will dash off and cover up its stash so it’s not noticed. This is known as a cacher and will even feign stashing to fool onlookers.
6,000
If you are a squirrel lover, you should find at least 6,000 hiding spots in your yard. After all, squirrels enjoy eating nuts and hiding them. In fact, one squirrel can bury as many as 10,000 nuts each Autumn and retrieve about 4,000 of them by memory. The remaining 6,000 are buried and forgotten, while many others watch them and retrace their steps. Even if you do catch them, it can be rewarding to discover the hidden nut stash.
If you live in an area with many trees, the chances of seeing squirrels are high. But what if the trees are teeming with them? Then it’s worth checking out your attic, as it’s often a perfect hiding place for squirrels. In winter, attics can provide a safe, dry habitat for squirrels to feed and raise their young. And when predators are scarce, there are plenty of places for them to hide from them.
7,000
The number of squirrels in the U.S. is staggering, and many people are unaware of how many hiding places there are. In fact, gray squirrels hide thousands of nuts throughout the year. However, their caches are not always safe. Gray squirrels are prone to theft and other animals will take advantage of their widely dispersed caches, causing them to lose up to 25 percent of their stored food. This can be costly, since a mature gray squirrel can eat up to two pounds of nuts per week, and so this food can be easily stolen.
Most gray squirrels build their nests in tree trunks and other hollow tree trunks. During summer, they build nests in these cavities, but in winter, they sleep in the same place. When the temperature drops, they sleep in the same tree as their mates. They will make several leaf nests, but will move them if they are infested by insects. This is one way to prevent infestation.
Can a squirrel remember more than one hiding place?
Yes a squirrel can remember multiple hiding places.
How many hiding places can a squirrel remember?
A squirrel can remember an average of five hiding places.
How does a squirrel choose a hiding place?
A squirrel will choose a hiding place based on safety food availability and proximity to other squirrels.
What does a squirrel use its hiding places for?
A squirrel will use its hiding places to store food as a safe place to sleep and to avoid predators.
How does a squirrel remember its hiding places?
A squirrel remembers its hiding places through visual cues and smell.
How long can a squirrel remember a hiding place?
A squirrel can remember a hiding place for weeks or even months.
What happens if a squirrel forgets its hiding place?
If a squirrel forgets its hiding place it may not be able to find its food or may be more susceptible to predators.
Do all squirrels use hiding places?
Yes all squirrels will use hiding places.
What do baby squirrels use hiding places for?
Baby squirrels will use hiding places for shelter and to avoid predators.
How many hiding places do baby squirrels have?
Baby squirrels have an average of two hiding places.
Do squirrels have to have hiding places?
No squirrels do not have to have hiding places but it is beneficial for them to have at least one.
What happens if a squirrel does not have a hiding place?
If a squirrel does not have a hiding place it may be more susceptible to predators and may not have a safe place to rest.
Do all animals have hiding places?
No not all animals have hiding places but many do.
What are some other animals that use hiding places?
Some other animals that use hiding places are rabbits rats and mice.
What are some benefits of having a hiding place?
Some benefits of having a hiding place are safety security and peace of mind.

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.