You might spot a round bundle of leaves way up in a tree and wonder—how did that messy pile turn into a cozy home? Squirrels actually build either a leafy drey or a hollow den by weaving twigs, packing in leaves and moss, and lining the inside with soft stuff like grass or fur.
A well-made drey or den keeps squirrels dry, warm, and safe while they sleep and raise their young.
If you watch them, you’ll notice the squirrel making steady, determined trips as it collects materials. It weaves a sturdy shell and creates a soft, insulated bed inside.
The next sections break down the building process, why some squirrels like tree hollows, and how nest styles change by species or season.
How Do Squirrels Make Their Nests?
Here’s what you’ll find: where squirrels put their nests, what they use to build them, and the steps they follow to keep a drey strong.
You’ll get details on nest types, common materials, and the order squirrels use to assemble a nest.
Types of Squirrel Nests
Squirrels make two main kinds of nests: above-ground dreys and cavity dens.
Dreys are those round, leafy-and-twig bundles tucked into tree forks or thick branches. They usually sit 20–60 feet up and can be 8–24 inches across, depending on the tree and the squirrel.
Dreys keep out ground predators and, if built tight, shed water pretty well.
Dens are hollow spaces inside tree trunks or, sometimes, underground burrows. Squirrels use older trees with cavities or find banks for burrows that shelter their young and offer more protection from the weather.
Flying squirrels usually pick cavities, while tree squirrels switch between dreys and dens as the year goes on.
Materials Used in Squirrel Nest Construction
Squirrels grab twigs for the frame, then layer dry leaves to block wind and rain. They stuff moss, grass, bark strips, and sometimes mud into the cracks to stiffen the shell.
For comfort, they add softer lining—grass, shredded bark, fur, or feathers—inside the drey.
You’ll see them pick out small, bendy twigs for weaving, while bigger sticks go on the outside. Leaves and moss end up both outside for camouflage and inside for warmth.
What they use depends on what’s nearby. Nests in oak trees usually have oak leaves, while moss shows up more in damp, shady woods.
Step-by-Step Nest Building Process
First, a squirrel picks a spot: maybe a forked branch, a dense branch cluster, or a tree cavity.
Then it gathers twigs and starts weaving a round frame, locking the pieces together to form a hollow sphere. This twig lattice gives the drey its shape and strength.
After building the frame, the squirrel layers dry leaves and bark around the twigs to block drafts. Then it pushes softer stuff into the inner bowl to make a warm sleeping spot.
Squirrels check and fix their nests all the time, adding fresh leaves or twigs after storms and re-lining before cold weather hits.
Squirrel Nesting Habits and Variations
Squirrels use a few types of homes and usually keep more than one. You’ll find leafy dreys, solid tree cavity dens, and sometimes even man-made squirrel nest boxes.
Their choices shift with the season, safety, and species.
Why Squirrels Build Multiple Nests
Squirrels keep several nests in their territory for safety and convenience. A grey squirrel, for example, might set up a main den in a tree hollow and two or more dreys nearby.
If a predator or storm damages one, you’ll see the squirrel dash to another.
Rotating between nests also helps them control fleas and mites, which can be a real problem for baby squirrels.
Some nests work as quick nap spots or places to stash food, while others serve as winter homes. In cities, squirrels might use a nest box or sneak into an attic if trees don’t have enough cavities.
Differences Among Squirrel Species
Different squirrels choose different homes based on their size and habits. Grey squirrels and red squirrels build big dreys from twigs and leaves, usually high up on sturdy branches.
Red squirrels often stick to pine forests and line their nests with shredded cedar bark.
Flying squirrels prefer tree cavity dens and use deep tree hollows at night. Ground squirrels dig burrows, so you won’t spot dreys with them.
Materials vary too—some use fur, moss, or even bits of insulation. You might see chewed pine cones near a red squirrel’s area, but that’s a snack, not a nest.
Raising Young in Squirrel Nests
When you spot a mother squirrel slipping into a secure den, she’s probably tending to her babies. Female squirrels pick the safest places—usually a tree cavity or a sturdy drey—when it’s time to raise their young.
Inside, the nest has a thick layer of soft stuff like grass, moss, and fur. That cozy lining keeps the kits warm.
Mothers stick to the main den for their litter, but sometimes they’ll move the pups to another nest if there’s danger or too many parasites. It’s rare to catch a male squirrel helping out; the female handles almost everything.
If you come across a nest with babies, it’s best to keep your distance. And if you notice a lack of natural cavities around, you might want to put up a squirrel nest box to give them a little extra shelter.
