Ever watch a squirrel dash across your yard and wonder where it actually lives? Most squirrels make their homes high up in trees, either in a leafy drey or tucked inside a hollowed-out tree cavity. Some species even dig burrows underground.
If you know these common nest types, you’ll have a better shot at spotting where squirrels hide, raise their young, and stay warm.
Keep your eyes on those branches—squirrels often build more than one nest and use just about anything handy: leaves, twigs, even old woodpecker holes. It’s pretty clever, honestly. This article will help you figure out where to look, how nests get built, and what signs to watch for so you’ll notice a nest next time a squirrel scurries by.
Where Do Squirrels Nest?
You’ll mostly find squirrel nests up in trees, though some species dig underground. Nests give them a spot to sleep, raise babies, and hide from the weather and predators.
Tree Branch Nests (Dreys)
You’ve probably seen those messy-looking, round nests wedged in the forks of tree branches. Squirrels make these dreys from twigs, leaves, and moss, weaving them into a ball about the size of a basketball.
They use twigs for the sturdy outer shell, then line the inside with grass, moss, shredded bark, and sometimes fur for warmth. Dreys usually sit 10–50 feet above ground in big trees like oak, elm, or pine.
Grey squirrels often use dreys as day beds or backup homes. You can spot a drey by its compact shape and the entrance hole, which usually faces away from the wind.
Squirrels can throw together a basic drey in a day, though they keep working on it for weeks. They keep several dreys in their territory for safety and to dodge parasites. If a tree cavity is available, a squirrel often picks that over a drey.
Tree Cavity Dens
Tree cavity dens hide inside trunks or big limbs. These hollows form naturally or from old woodpecker holes. Squirrels love them because they’re safer from predators, wind, and rain.
The inside is deeper and more secure than a drey, so cavities make a great winter den and nursery for baby squirrels. You’ll find these dens in older, decaying, or thick trees.
Red and grey squirrels both use tree cavities if they find one. They’ll line the inside with soft nesting material to keep pups warm. The entrance is usually small and tough to spot from the ground.
Since good cavities are rare, squirrels defend them and switch between a den and nearby dreys depending on the season and what’s safest.
Ground Squirrel Burrows
Ground squirrels dig burrows in the soil instead of living in trees. These burrows have tunnels, nesting chambers, and spots to stash food.
The entrance sits low to the ground and might hide under grass or debris to fool predators like foxes or hawks. Burrows help control temperature and protect them from cold and heat.
A typical burrow system runs several feet deep, with branching tunnels and a cozy nest chamber lined with grass. Ground squirrels use these burrows for raising young, hibernating (for some species), and making quick getaways.
If you spot small, round soil mounds and holes in open fields, you’re likely near a ground squirrel colony—not tree squirrels.
How Squirrels Build and Use Their Nests
Squirrels make round, ball-like nests high in trees or inside cavities. Let’s look at how they build these, why they keep several, and how they use them for raising young.
Squirrel Nest Construction
Squirrels start with a sturdy frame of twigs and small branches, weaving them into a tight ball. They place this on a forked branch near the trunk for extra strength, usually 6–15 meters up.
The outer shell uses thick sticks to survive wind and rain. Inside, squirrels stuff dried leaves, moss, shredded bark, and grass to make a warm, dry chamber.
You’ll see an entrance hole and sometimes a backup exit for quick escapes. They can throw together a basic drey in a day but keep coming back to add insulation or fix damage.
If a hollow tree is handy, squirrels might skip the twig shell and just line the cavity. Both styles keep baby squirrels warm and dry when the weather turns rough.
Nesting Habits and Multiple Nests
Squirrels don’t stick with just one nest. You’ll find several dreys or dens in a squirrel’s area. They switch nests for safety, food storage, or if a nest gets waterlogged or infested.
They mend and reuse favorite nests across seasons. Dreys usually stand out most in autumn and winter after the leaves drop.
Squirrels are crepuscular, so you might not catch much action during the day—they move between nests at dawn and dusk.
Keeping multiple nests spreads out their risk. If a predator or storm hits one, the squirrel has backups nearby. Some nests are just for sleeping, while others work as food storage.
Raising Young and Family Life
When kits are about to arrive, the mother actually chooses the warmest, safest nest she can find. She lines it with the softest material she can gather.
She spends most of her time tucked inside the drey during those first weeks. The babies are blind and hairless, so they really need her close by while they grow.
A typical nursery drey has a thick lining. There’s usually just one hidden entrance, which helps keep predators out.
As her young get stronger, the mother starts leading them out to nearby branches. They practice climbing and hiding, which is honestly pretty adorable to watch.
Mothers don’t stick to just one nest during breeding season. You’ll notice they use different ones — maybe one for sleeping and another for the kits — and they rotate between them to keep everyone safe and dry.
