Why do squirrels bury nuts?

Squirrels bury nuts to create food reserves for winter when fresh food is scarce. This behavior, called scatter hoarding, distributes food across many locations reducing theft risk. Buried nuts stay fresh longer underground. Squirrels remember cache sites using spatial memory. Forgotten caches germinate into trees, making squirrels crucial seed dispersers.

Can squirrels survive falls?

Yes, squirrels can survive falls from any height. Their small body mass and large, bushy tail create enough air resistance to reach safe terminal velocity. They spread their bodies to increase drag and use tails as rudders to steer toward soft landing spots. Squirrels rotate to land feet first with legs extended to absorb impact.

Do squirrels hibernate?

Most tree squirrels do not hibernate. They remain active year round, relying on cached food and winter nests for survival. Ground squirrels like chipmunks and prairie dogs hibernate during winter in underground burrows. Their body temperature drops and metabolism slows dramatically. Flying squirrels also stay active but huddle together in dens during extreme cold.

What do squirrels eat?

Squirrels are omnivores eating primarily nuts, seeds, fruits, berries, and fungi. Tree squirrels favor acorns, walnuts, and pine seeds. They also consume flower buds, tree bark, insects, bird eggs, and small nestlings. Diet varies by season with more vegetation in spring and summer, nuts in fall, and cached food in winter.

How long do squirrels live?

Wild squirrels typically live 6 to 12 years though many die younger from predation. Gray squirrels average 6 years in the wild. Flying squirrels can reach 15 years. Captive squirrels live longer, sometimes over 20 years. First year mortality is high at 50 to 75 percent. Predators include hawks, owls, foxes, cats, and snakes.

Yes, squirrels display impressive intelligence. They remember thousands of cache locations, use deception to hide food from thieves, solve complex puzzles to access food, learn from watching others, and adapt quickly to new environments. Studies show squirrels plan ahead, categorize food types, and demonstrate sophisticated problem solving abilities rivaling some primates.

Why do squirrels chase?

Squirrels chase each other for several reasons. Males chase females during breeding season. Territory holders chase intruders to defend food resources and nesting areas. Young squirrels chase siblings and peers during play, developing coordination and social skills. Chasing establishes dominance hierarchies and reinforces territorial boundaries. It also provides exercise and maintains alertness.

Squirrel Facts: Behavior, Diet, Habitat & Species

Agile rodents known for acrobatic tree climbing

Squirrels are rodents with over 200 species worldwide. Learn about squirrel food caching, jumping abilities, communication, and their vital role in forest ecosystems.

Key Facts

Species

200+ species

Types

Tree, ground, flying

Weight

0.5 to 1.5 lbs

Length

8 to 12 inches

Tail Length

7 to 10 inches

Lifespan (Wild)

6 to 12 years

Jump Distance

Up to 20 feet

Fall Survival

Terminal velocity

Teeth

Grow continuously

Diet

Omnivore

Memory

Remember cache locations

Vision

Near 360 degree

Quick Stats

Attribute	Value
Number of Species	Over 200 species
Gray Squirrel Weight	1 to 1.5 lbs
Body Length	9 to 12 inches
Tail Length	7 to 10 inches
Running Speed	Up to 20 mph
Leap Distance	20 feet horizontally
Litter Size	2 to 8 young
Gestation Period	44 days

About Squirrel Facts: Behavior, Diet, Habitat & Species

Squirrels are small to medium sized rodents found on every continent except Australia and Antarctica. Over 200 species exist, divided into three main types: tree squirrels, ground squirrels, and flying squirrels.

Physical Abilities and Adaptations

Squirrels possess extraordinary climbing and jumping abilities. Their hind legs are double jointed, enabling them to descend trees headfirst by rotating their feet 180 degrees. Squirrels can leap up to 20 feet between branches. Their eyes are positioned on the sides of their heads, providing nearly 360 degree vision to watch for predators while feeding.

Food Caching and Memory

Squirrels are famous for burying nuts and seeds in scattered locations throughout their territories. This behavior, called scatter hoarding, helps squirrels survive winter when fresh food is scarce. Gray squirrels can hide thousands of nuts across dozens of locations each fall. Remarkably, they remember the majority of cache sites using spatial memory and landmark recognition.

Diet and Feeding Behavior

Squirrels are omnivores with diets varying by season and species. They primarily eat nuts, seeds, fruits, berries, and fungi. Tree squirrels favor acorns, walnuts, hickory nuts, and pine cones. They have strong jaws and sharp incisors that grow continuously throughout their lives.

Communication and Social Behavior

Squirrels communicate through vocalizations, tail movements, and scent marking. They produce various sounds including chirps, barks, squeals, and chattering. Alarm calls warn other squirrels about predators. Most tree squirrel species are solitary outside breeding season.

Reproduction and Life Cycle

Gestation lasts approximately 44 days. Females give birth to 2 to 8 young in nests called dreys built from leaves and twigs. Eyes open after 3 to 4 weeks. Young squirrels are weaned at 8 to 10 weeks but may stay with mothers for several more weeks learning survival skills.

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Did You Know?

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Squirrels' front teeth grow continuously at about 6 inches per year

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A squirrel's tail is as long as its body and serves as a blanket, umbrella, and parachute

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Squirrels can jump 20 feet horizontally and leap between trees with precision

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Baby squirrels are called kittens or kits and are born blind and helpless

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Squirrels plant thousands of new trees yearly from forgotten buried nut caches

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The oldest known wild squirrel lived to be 24 years old

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, squirrels have excellent spatial memory. They remember the locations of thousands of buried food caches using landmarks and spatial relationships. Studies show squirrels relocate 80 to 90 percent of their caches even months later. They also organize caches by food type, grouping similar nuts together, demonstrating advanced memory and planning abilities.