Ever spot a squirrel zipping along a fence and wonder where it crashes at night? Squirrels pick different safe spots to sleep—dreys up in tree branches, hollow tree cavities, or underground burrows—depending on their species and the time of year.
Let’s dive into how tree, flying, and ground squirrels build their nests. I’ll cover how they change up their sleep habits when it gets cold, and how long they actually snooze.
Stick around if you want quick, no-nonsense answers about where these little guys hide out, how they keep warm, and what “hibernation” or “torpor” really means for them.
Where and How Do Squirrels Sleep?
Squirrels pick their homes and sleep routines based on their type and the season. You’ll spot tree squirrels in leafy nests or hollow trunks, ground squirrels in deep burrows, and flying squirrels tucked away in dark cavities.
Tree Squirrels: Dreys and Tree Cavities
Tree squirrels build round nests called dreys using twigs, leaves, moss, and a soft lining—think shredded bark or fur. Dreys sit in the forks of branches or close to the trunk, blocking wind and light rain.
Sometimes, tree squirrels use hollow tree cavities instead. These offer more protection from storms and hungry predators.
Dreys are usually about basketball-sized, with a cozy sleeping cup inside. Squirrels patch up or reuse dreys year after year.
When it’s cold, you might catch two or more squirrels sharing a drey to keep warm, though most of the time they prefer solo sleeping. If you notice bits of leaves or sticks wedged in your eaves, you might have a drey nearby.
Ground Squirrels: Underground Burrows
Ground squirrels dig out burrow systems in the soil. These tunnels have sleeping chambers, nesting pockets, and escape routes.
You’ll spot their burrows by small, round entrances and little soil mounds on the ground. Burrows keep ground squirrels safe from predators and chilly weather.
Some ground squirrels hibernate in winter, dropping their body temperature and heart rate for weeks or months. During warmer seasons, they return to their burrows between foraging trips, curling up in grass-lined pockets to sleep or raise their babies.
If you want to avoid burrows in your yard, try clearing away food scraps and covering gardens.
Flying Squirrels: Cavity Nesters and Their Habits
Flying squirrels go for tree cavities or hollow logs instead of exposed nests. They’ll pad these cavities with moss, leaves, lichen, and fur for extra comfort.
Since flying squirrels are mostly active at night, their choice of a hidden cavity keeps them safe and cozy during the day.
These little gliders are social, often sharing a cavity with a few others in winter. They usually skip building big exposed dreys, but if cavities are scarce, they’ll settle for a small drey.
Because flying squirrels glide (not actually fly), they pick cavities near open canopy edges for easy launching and landing. Got woodland property? Leaving a few dead trees with hollows can really help out the local flying squirrel crowd.
How Baby Squirrels Sleep and Stay Safe
Baby squirrels—people call them kits—sleep a ton. Newborns can clock up to 20 hours a day.
Mother squirrels tuck the kits in warm, well-padded nests or deep inside tree cavities. You’ll often find the babies pressed together for warmth and safety.
Moms stick to a routine, feeding and grooming their kits and coming back to the nest regularly. If you ever see a nest that looks abandoned, watch from a distance for a day; the mother probably just stepped out to find food.
Don’t move baby squirrels unless you’re sure they’re hurt or orphaned. If in doubt, reach out to a wildlife rehabilitator.
Squirrel Sleep Patterns and Seasonal Changes
Squirrels switch up their sleeping spots and habits depending on the weather, food supply, and time of year. Let’s get into when they sleep, what they do in bad weather, and how many hours they actually rest.
Do Squirrels Sleep at Night?
Most tree squirrels are diurnal. They sleep through the night and stay busy during the day.
You’ll catch them foraging, hiding nuts, and darting between nests in the morning and late afternoon. Flying squirrels break the mold—they’re nocturnal, sleeping through the day in cavities or thick leaf nests.
If you see a leafy ball tucked in a forked branch or a hollow inside a trunk, that’s probably a tree squirrel’s nighttime crash pad. Ground squirrels and some burrowers sleep underground in tunnels after their daytime adventures.
Squirrels don’t sleep too deeply. They wake fast if you make noise near their nest, which helps them dodge predators. Even at night, they might peek out or shift around if something seems off.
Winter, Rain, and Tough Weather
When it rains, tree squirrels hunker down in dreys or tree cavities to keep dry. Sometimes, they sneak into attics or other sheltered nooks in cities.
Cavities offer better insulation and stay drier than stick-and-leaf nests. As winter sets in, most tree squirrels don’t truly hibernate.
They use short rests called torpor on freezing nights to save energy. Ground squirrels and a few others do go into deep hibernation for weeks or months, slowing their heart rate and dropping their body temperature.
Expect squirrels to gather thicker nest materials—moss, shredded bark, extra leaves—as fall rolls in. In rough storms, they stay tucked away longer and limit their outings to save energy and protect their food stashes.
How Long Do Squirrels Sleep Each Day?
Squirrel sleep habits really depend on the species and the season. Most tree squirrels nap off and on throughout the day, usually racking up about 10 to 15 hours of sleep in a 24-hour period.
They’ll mix a long stretch of night sleep with quick daytime rests. Flying squirrels, which are nocturnal, flip that schedule and sleep during the day instead.
A typical nap might last anywhere from 15 to 60 minutes. Squirrels usually nap between their busy foraging sessions.
When winter hits, squirrels sleep longer and move around less. Ground squirrels that hibernate can actually sleep for days or even months at a time.
Tree squirrels don’t really hibernate, but they do slow down and spend more time resting.
If you keep an eye on a nearby tree, you’ll probably notice squirrels dashing about at dawn and again in the late afternoon.
At night or when the weather’s rough, you’ll usually find them curled up or hidden deep in their nests.
