Squirrels tend to give birth in spring. Most species have their first litters from late winter to early spring, and sometimes a second litter shows up in mid-summer.
If you’re hoping to spot baby squirrels in your yard, keep an eye out for births between February and April, plus another round in July or August.
You’ll find that timing shifts by species and location. You might notice new nesting activity or spot what baby squirrels look like as they grow.
This info should help you figure out if a tiny, quiet bundle really needs help or if mom’s just nearby, doing her thing.
When Do Squirrels Give Birth?
Squirrels usually plan births for when food is available and the weather warms up. Most have one or two breeding cycles per year, and the babies arrive blind and helpless.
Typical Breeding Seasons for Squirrels
Most tree squirrels breed twice a year. The first season runs from late winter into early spring, so you’ll see babies between February and April.
The second season happens in late summer, with more births in July and August. In warmer states, you might notice earlier litters, while colder regions push everything back a bit.
Ground squirrels and some bigger species usually breed just once, in spring. If you live somewhere mild, you might get two litters.
Watch for extra nest building or a female looking heavier—those are solid signs babies are on the way.
Gestation Period and Litter Size
Tree squirrels carry their young for about 38 to 46 days. If they mate in January or February, you’ll likely see kits in March or April.
Most litters have 2 to 5 babies, though sometimes there are as many as 6 or 8. Newborns arrive hairless and blind, totally relying on their mom.
She nurses them in the drey for about 6 to 10 weeks. After that, you’ll spot the juveniles exploring, learning to forage, and just being generally adorable.
Squirrel Birth Timing by Species
Eastern gray squirrels usually stick to the two-breeding-season routine, with the first litter in late winter and the second in midsummer. Red squirrels and flying squirrels also tend to have spring and late-summer litters, though flying squirrels are nocturnal—so you might not catch them in the act.
Fox squirrels often have a main spring litter, and sometimes a smaller summer one. Ground squirrels usually go for one big spring birth to match up with fresh plants.
If you want more details by region or species, check out local wildlife pages like this guide on when squirrels have babies.
Squirrel Nesting and Baby Squirrel Growth
You’ll get a sense of where squirrels actually build their nests and how the kits grow week by week.
If you stumble on a baby squirrel, you’ll know what to do.
Where Squirrels Build Their Nests
Squirrels build dreys high up in tree branches or sometimes inside tree cavities. You might spot a messy ball of leaves and twigs wedged into a forked branch.
Some types use hollow trunks. Flying squirrels seem to prefer old woodpecker holes or even nest boxes.
In cities, squirrels get creative—nesting in attics, vents, or sheds. Watch for activity at a certain spot, chewed-up entry points, or soft nesting material disappearing into a hole.
If you notice a nest with fresh leaves, odds are a female is raising young in there.
Baby Squirrel Development Stages
Kits come into the world hairless and blind, weighing just 1–2 ounces. For the first two weeks, they huddle together and nurse a lot.
Their eyes open around 4 to 5 weeks. By 6–8 weeks, they’re covered in fur and start making short trips outside the drey.
At 8–10 weeks, they nibble solid food and practice climbing. You’ll probably see them exploring nearby branches while mom keeps a close watch.
Most litters have 2 to 5 kits, so you might spot a few little ones learning together.
How Long Squirrel Kits Stay in the Nest
Kits stick around in the drey for about 6 to 10 weeks after birth. The mother stops by often to feed and warm them, but she leaves to find food too.
When they hit 6 weeks, the babies start peeking out and taking short, supervised trips. By 8–10 weeks, most are weaned and venturing out for longer foraging trips.
They’ll stay near mom for a few more weeks before going solo. If you see tiny squirrels wobbling up trees, they probably need another month to master the art.
What to Do if You Find a Baby Squirrel
So, you found a baby squirrel? If it’s a nestling—meaning it’s hairless or its eyes are still closed—step back and just watch for a while. The mother usually comes back, though it can take a few hours.
Try not to touch or move the little one unless you see it’s hurt, cold, or in obvious danger, like if there are pets or cars nearby. Sometimes it’s hard to wait, but it’s usually best for the baby.
If the squirrel is furred and moving around (that’s a fledgling), you should probably leave it alone. The mom’s probably still taking care of it and doesn’t need help from us.
Just make sure to keep pets away and give the mother space to do her thing. But if the baby looks injured, is freezing, or you’re sure the mom isn’t coming back, then it’s time to reach out to a local wildlife rehabilitator.
Don’t give it cow’s milk, whatever you do. Those trained centers know exactly what kind of formula and care these little guys need.
Here’s a quick checklist that might help:
- Watch from a distance for 2–4 hours.
- Keep pets and kids away.
- Step in only if the animal is injured, cold, or clearly orphaned.
- Call a wildlife rehabilitator for advice on what to do next.
Curious about when squirrels usually have babies? There’s a good rundown here: When Do Squirrels Have Babies? (https://squirrelsinfo.com/when-do-squirrels-have-babies/).
