How to Tell the Age of an Adult Squirrel 
One of the best ways to tell the age of an adult gray squirrel is by observing its teeth. It starts exploring the world outside its nest at about 6 weeks of age. If it has an open mouth, it is around 3 to 4 1/2 weeks old. The eyes are either cloudy or clear. If there are any other visible signs of age, it is about 5 weeks old. If you find a squirrel with no teeth, it is probably not yet an adult.
Alternate ways to gauge the age of a squirrel
If you’re interested in determining the age of an adult squirrel, you’re not the only one. Scientists and veterinarians use a variety of methods, including weighing eye lenses and X-rays to determine the squirrel’s age. However, there are several other, less precise methods. Here are some of the most common:
The most obvious sign of age in a squirrel is its size. When it’s eight weeks old, it looks like a baby squirrel, but is jumpy and active. By ten weeks, it has fully developed teeth and tail. This indicates the adult squirrel is mature enough to venture out on its own. But it doesn’t stop there. There are a variety of ways to determine the age of an adult squirrel, including observing its size.
Life expectancy of a gray squirrel
The Eastern gray squirrel lives to about 20 years. It can have two litters a year and has a gestation period of about 44 days. Females are capable of breeding in the first year. Females may enter estrus as early as five and a half months. A gray squirrel is capable of breeding in two years, but it may take several years before the female reaches puberty. Life expectancy for females is eight to twelve years, while for males it may be around twenty years.
The life span of a gray squirrel depends on how it is raised and what it eats. It is typically around two years old when it is born. Adults can live for up to six years, and exceptional individuals may live for up to 12 years. Although it is rare for a gray squirrel to live longer than its wild counterparts, they can survive in captivity for twenty years or more. Despite their relatively short lifespans, they are incredibly hardy creatures that tend to outlive their rodent cousins.
Seasonal color variation
Squirrels have different coloration depending on the season, with the tail being a key indicator. Some Red squirrel populations have a blonde tail, which is more noticeable in summer. The blonde tail is considered a trait of British subspecies, but Peter Trimming’s observations show that colour changes across the year and with moult. Males often develop blonde tails in April.
The reason why squirrels change colour in the spring and summer months is not entirely understood. Squirrels used to be mostly dark in North America, allowing them to stay hidden from birds of prey. However, the dark coats made them easier to spot for hunters. The evolutionary response to this problem has been to make squirrels lighter in color. In the winter and spring seasons, the darker squirrels can blend in with light-colored trees, while the white venters help them stand out from predators.
Baby squirrels start exploring outside the nest at 6 weeks of age
At six weeks of age, baby squirrels start escaping the nest, but are still relatively young. They still lack fur on their bodies, and have no teeth. As they grow, they gain more hair, including the tail, which grows in to a full size. Their ears also grow in, but they do not have teeth. By the time they reach about ten weeks of age, they have a full tail and teeth, but are not yet fully furred.
You can keep your baby squirrel in a box or warm room with breathing holes. To keep your baby squirrel warm, put it in a cozy nest made of non-raveling cloth. Make sure to change the bedding at least twice a day. You can use soft clothing as a temporary heat source, but do not put it inside a cardboard box or a towel, as these may catch their nails.
Males mate only twice a year
The reason for this unusual behavior is unclear. Some male ground squirrels mate frequently to gain maximum parentage. The male ground squirrel tries to mate at the first available opportunity. He is most successful if he is in good condition on the day of estrus. Then he must leave his territory temporarily to search for the next estrus-tending female. The female will mate with many males before the male finally mates.
Female squirrels mate only twice a year. Female squirrels will mate with any male squirrel in their territory, and are often selective. When a female has a small litter, she might adopt an orphaned relative. In contrast, if she has a large litter, she will adopt an orphaned grandchild. Because of the small number of females in a litter, she prioritizes the genetically close relatives.
How can you tell how old an adult squirrel is?
Answer: You can tell how old an adult squirrel is by looking at its teeth.
The wear and tear on a squirrel’s teeth can give you an indication of its age.
How many years do squirrels typically live?
Answer: Squirrels typically live between 10 and 20 years.
At what age do squirrels reach sexual maturity?
Answer: Squirrels reach sexual maturity at around 1 year old.
How often do squirrels have litters?
Answer: Squirrels have litters anywhere from once a year to once every four years.
How many baby squirrels are in a litter?
Answer: Litters usually consist of three to eight baby squirrels.
What do baby squirrels eat?
Answer: Baby squirrels eat milk from their mother for the first few weeks of their lives.
After that they gradually start to eat solid food.
What do adult squirrels eat?
Answer: Adult squirrels eat a variety of things including nuts seeds acorns berries and fungi.
Do squirrels hibernate?
Answer: Some squirrels hibernate but others do not.
If a squirrel does hibernate for how long?
Answer: If a squirrel does hibernate it can hibernate for up to seven months.
What is a squirrel’s natural predator?
Answer: A squirrel’s natural predator is the hawk.
How can you tell a male squirrel from a female squirrel?
Answer: You can tell a male squirrel from a female squirrel by looking at their genitalia.
Male squirrels have a penis while female squirrels have a vagina.
Do squirrels mate for life?
Answer: No squirrels do not mate for life.
They will mate with multiple partners over the course of their lifetime.
How do squirrels communicate?
Answer: Squirrels communicate through a variety of vocalizations and body language.
What is the primary purpose of a squirrel’s tail?
Answer: The primary purpose of a squirrel’s tail is to help the squirrel balance while it is climbing.
What is the average lifespan of a wild squirrel?
Answer: The average lifespan of a wild squirrel is about six years.
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.
