You’ve probably seen squirrels darting around, chasing each other up trees, but their sleep routines? Those stay hidden in branches and burrows. Most squirrels curl up at night in nests, tree hollows, or underground burrows, and their sleep patterns shift with the type of squirrel and the season.
Ever wondered where they actually curl up, how long they nap, or why some seem to vanish all winter? This post digs into those answers.
You’ll see how tree, flying, and ground squirrels differ, and how things like weather or food stash size change their sleep habits.
Stick around for the next sections if you’re curious about nests, dens, hibernation, and how to spot a squirrel’s quiet hours.
How and Where Squirrels Sleep
Squirrels sleep for many hours each day and build different kinds of nests. Let’s look at how their daily rhythm works, where they build dreys or burrows, and how winter shifts their sleep.
Squirrel Sleep Patterns and Daily Routines
You’ll spot tree and ground squirrels most often in the early morning or late afternoon. Most tree squirrels wake up with the sun and sleep at night.
Flying squirrels? They’re the night owls, moving around after dark.
Squirrels nap for short stretches between foraging. Adult squirrels might sleep 14–15 hours a day, but baby squirrels can clock in a solid 20–22 hours.
When it gets cold, squirrels use brief torpor to save energy. Their heart rate and body temperature drop for a few hours, sometimes overnight.
Ground squirrels take it even further, entering deep torpor during true hibernation. You’ll notice activity spikes around dawn and dusk—those are prime feeding and grooming times.
Where Do Squirrels Sleep: Dreys, Burrows, and Cavities
Tree squirrels usually build dreys out of twigs, leaves, and moss. They tuck these round nests into branch forks, making them about the size of a basketball.
Inside, squirrels line the drey with softer stuff to keep warm. Flying squirrels look for tree cavities or hollow logs and add shredded bark, fur, or feathers to make it cozy.
Ground squirrels dig burrows several feet deep. These burrows have sleeping chambers and food storage rooms.
Burrows keep them safe from predators and cold. Sometimes, you’ll spot a squirrel sneaking into an attic or under a roof—they treat those spots like a drey or a tree cavity.
When it’s cold, squirrels sometimes pile up together for warmth, especially flying squirrels in tree cavities.
Seasonal Changes and Hibernation
As seasons change, squirrels adjust their sleep. Tree squirrels stay active all year but spend more time in their dreys when it’s cold.
They’ll forage on warmer afternoons and dip into their food caches through winter. Flying squirrels huddle up in cavities during really cold spells to share body heat.
Ground squirrels hibernate in their burrows for months in colder places. During hibernation, they drop their body temperature close to the ground’s and slow their metabolism way down.
Sometimes, they’ll wake up to nibble on stored food, then go back to torpor. If you spot a ground squirrel getting chubbier and adding thicker bedding, it’s probably prepping for hibernation.
Types of Squirrels and Their Sleep Habits
Let’s break down where different squirrels sleep, how long they rest, and what they use for nests or dens. You’ll find real behaviors here—dreys in trees, burrows underground, and the nightly nests of flying squirrels.
Tree Squirrels: From Dreys to Cavity Nests
Tree squirrels like the eastern gray and red squirrel build leafy dreys in the forks of branches. They use leaves, twigs, and moss, placing these nests 10–60 feet up.
You might notice a round, snug drey with one entrance, or sometimes just a messy pile of leaves that squirrels patch up each season.
Some tree squirrels choose tree cavities or hollow trunks, especially for raising babies. Cavities offer better warmth and keep predators out.
Baby tree squirrels usually stay in cavities until they’re strong enough to climb and leap. In cities, squirrels will use attics or soffits if they can squeeze in.
Ground Squirrels: Burrows and Hibernation
Ground squirrels, like the California ground squirrel, dig their own burrows underground. These burrows have separate rooms for sleeping, food storage, and escape tunnels.
You can spot a burrow by the round mound of soil and tracks at the entrance.
Many ground squirrels go into torpor or real hibernation when it’s cold. Their heart rate and body temperature drop to save energy.
You probably won’t see any ground squirrel activity above ground for weeks in winter. Mothers line burrow nests with grass and fur for their pups, and baby ground squirrels stay hidden underground until they’re ready to forage.
Flying Squirrels: Nocturnal Sleepers
Flying squirrels spend most of the day sleeping, tucked away in tree cavities or cozy leaf nests. They really seem to love tight, enclosed spaces—hollow trees, or even nest boxes—where they can curl up and keep warm.
Honestly, you almost never spot them during daylight because they hide out in their dens. When night falls, they glide out to search for food, then head back before dawn to the same safe spot.
Baby flying squirrels stay in the nest for weeks, clinging to safety while their wings and gliding skills slowly develop. If you set up a bat-style nest box, you might get lucky and have flying squirrels move in, which gives you a chance to watch their sleepy daytime routines.
