Ever watched a squirrel darting around and thought, “Do they ever stop?” Well, they do—and honestly, they sleep a lot, in some pretty quirky ways. Squirrels crash in nests, tree hollows, or even underground burrows, depending on what kind of squirrel they are and the time of year. Adult squirrels usually snooze for about 14–15 hours a day, and babies? They sleep even more.
Let’s dig into how squirrels time their sleep, where they hide out from nasty weather and predators, and why some of them huddle up together when it’s cold. You might even find some weird or unexpected facts that make those backyard squirrels a little more fascinating.
How Squirrels Sleep: Patterns and Habits
Squirrels pick different sleeping spots and routines based on their species, where they live, and what season it is. Tree, ground, and flying squirrels all have their own quirks when it comes to resting and hiding out.
Distinct Sleep Patterns in Squirrel Species
Each squirrel species has its own sleep style. Tree squirrels, like eastern grays and reds, build those messy-looking leaf-and-twig nests called dreys, or they tuck themselves into tree cavities.
You’ll spot dreys way up in the branches, packed with moss and leaves to trap warmth. Ground squirrels go underground, digging burrows with separate rooms for sleeping and stashing snacks. These tunnels help keep them safe from predators and chilly weather.
Flying squirrels, on the other hand, stick to the night shift. They sleep all day in tree holes or nest boxes, then glide out after dark to forage. If you’re watching, you’ll notice flying squirrels are quiet during the day and only get going once the sun drops.
Eastern gray squirrels are the opposite—they’re active during daylight and head to their dreys when night falls.
Daily Sleep Cycles and Duration
Squirrels follow pretty set routines. Most tree and ground squirrels wake up with the sun, spend the day foraging, and then head to bed at night.
They’ll sneak in power naps during the day, usually for 15–60 minutes, especially if they’ve been running around a lot or if it’s hot out. Flying squirrels flip the script: they nap during the day and get busy at night.
Depending on the species and the season, squirrels usually sleep somewhere between 8 and 14 hours every day. Ground squirrels might rest even more since their burrows keep them safer.
If something startles them, squirrels wake up in an instant—light sleepers, for sure.
Seasonal Changes: Torpor, Hibernation, and Shelter Use
Seasons really shake up how squirrels sleep. Some ground squirrels go into full hibernation, dropping their body temperature and slowing way down for weeks at a time.
Others, like most tree squirrels, just enter short periods of torpor—a sort of mini-hibernation—to save energy on cold nights. During winter, tree squirrels stick to insulated dreys or tree holes, and sometimes they’ll even snuggle up together to keep warm.
Ground squirrels mostly stay underground in their burrows when it’s cold. Flying squirrels might take longer daytime naps in deep tree cavities.
When it’s warmer out, squirrels use lighter nests and nap more while they forage. If you want to geek out on the details, check out this guide on where squirrels sleep.
Where Do Squirrels Sleep? Nests, Burrows, and Beyond
Squirrels pick from three main home styles: those big messy dreys up in trees, cozy hollows or attic-like dens, and underground burrows. Each one fits the squirrel’s needs and the local weather.
Dreys: Home of Tree Squirrels and Urban Adaptations
Dreys look like big clumps of twigs and leaves wedged in the forks of trees. Tree squirrels build them out of sticks, moss, shredded bark, and leaves, then line the inside with something soft—fur or moss usually.
You’ll spot dreys 10–50 feet up in oaks, maples, or pines. Squirrels patch up their dreys every year, and they often keep a few backup nests in their territory.
In cities, squirrels get creative and might stuff dreys under eaves or sneak into unfinished attics if trees are hard to find. Dreys work as sleeping spots and nurseries for babies.
Usually, only one squirrel sleeps in a drey, but when it gets really cold, they might bunch together to stay warm.
Cavities, Dens, and Unique Sleeping Spots
Some squirrels skip dreys and head straight for tree cavities or hollow trunks. Flying squirrels and bigger tree squirrels love woodpecker holes, natural hollows, or even old nests in mature trees.
Cavities give better shelter from wind and rain. In towns, squirrels sometimes move into roof spaces, birdhouses, or even chimneys—pretty resourceful, right?
Flying squirrels, being night owls, prefer deep cavities where they can huddle with their families. Cavities usually have just one entrance and a cozy nest bowl inside, which helps keep warmth in and predators out.
Burrows and Underground Tunnels of Ground Squirrels
Ground squirrels dig out tunnel systems with separate rooms for sleeping, nesting, and hiding food. These tunnels usually run 2–4 feet below the surface and can stretch pretty far sideways.
You’ll see small round entrances with loose soil around them. Burrows keep the temperature steady and shield squirrels from predators and rough weather.
In winter, ground squirrels hibernate deep underground, barely moving for months if it’s cold enough. Inside, their sleeping chambers are lined with grass or fur.
Many ground squirrels live in colonies and use alarm calls to warn their neighbors if danger is lurking near their tunnels.
Baby Tree Squirrels: Early Life in the Nest
Baby tree squirrels, or kits, spend their earliest weeks tucked away inside a drey or tree cavity. Honestly, you probably won’t spot them outside until they’re around 6 to 10 weeks old.
At that point, they start venturing out for brief trips. The mother keeps her kits warm and feeds them milk, at least until they’re ready to try some solid food.
When it comes to nests, babies get a deeper, more heavily lined spot than adults do. If things get too crowded or the drey feels too exposed, the mother might move her kits to a safer place.
During storms or when it’s freezing, she’ll stay with the kits nonstop to keep them warm. That’s some dedication, isn’t it?
If you stumble upon a baby squirrel alone on the ground, pause before assuming it’s abandoned. Mothers sometimes leave their kits for short periods.
But if the nest looks damaged, you should reach out to professionals or wildlife rehabilitators. They can walk you through what to do next and help protect the young squirrel.
Relevant reading on dreys and tree cavities: Dreys and tree nests (https://a-z-animals.com/articles/how-and-where-do-squirrels-sleep-everything-you-need-to-know/).
