You probably see squirrels darting across your yard or scrambling up trees and wonder where they go when the sun sets. Most tree squirrels curl up in leafy nests called dreys or hide out in tree cavities, while ground squirrels tuck themselves into underground burrows. These cozy spots help them dodge bad weather and hungry predators, plus they keep warm through the night.
Different squirrels—like flying squirrels and ground squirrels—pick beds that fit their lifestyles and families. Curious about what these nests look like, who shares them, or how squirrels switch things up as the seasons change? Let’s get into it.
Where Squirrels Sleep at Night
Squirrels pick sleeping spots that keep them warm, dry, and out of sight from predators. Some curl up in leafy nests high up, others choose hollow trunks, and ground squirrels dig deep burrows.
Tree Squirrels: Dreys and Tree Nests
Tree squirrels—think eastern gray or red squirrels—build round leaf nests called dreys in the forks of branches. They use twigs, leaves, moss, and shredded bark to piece these together.
You’ll usually spot a drey 10–60 feet above the ground, wedged where branches meet. Dreys have a sturdy twig frame and a soft lining of leaves or fur to keep things insulated.
Usually, one squirrel claims a drey, but when it gets cold, two to nine might squeeze in together to stay warm. Dreys don’t last forever; squirrels might abandon or rebuild them as seasons change.
If a drey gets damaged or feels unsafe, squirrels move into a tree cavity or sometimes even an attic. Look for chew marks or fresh leaves, and you’ll know they’re fixing up or making a new nest.
Cavity Nests and Squirrel Nesting Boxes
Squirrels love hollows in old trees for shelter and raising babies. These spots keep them warmer and drier than a drey out in the open.
Flying squirrels and some tree squirrels really prefer cavities because they block wind and rain. You can actually help them out by putting up a squirrel nesting box.
Mount the box 12–20 feet high on a trunk, facing away from the wind. Make the entry hole about 3–4 inches wide for tree squirrels, or smaller for flying squirrels. Give it a check and a clean in late winter before breeding season rolls around.
Inside these cavities, squirrels pile up soft bedding—shredded bark, moss, and leaves. If a few squirrels share the space, they’ll huddle together for warmth in winter. Just watch from a distance, since too much disturbance might send them looking for a new home.
Ground Squirrels: Underground Burrows
Ground squirrels dig burrow systems into the soil, often under rocks, logs, or along fence lines. These burrows have several tunnels and chambers for sleeping, storing food, and quick getaways.
You might notice small mounds or holes at the surface. These burrows usually sit 2–4 feet deep and can stretch several yards.
Inside, squirrels line their nesting chambers with grasses, leaves, and fur to keep their babies warm. In colder places, ground squirrels hibernate right there, slowing down their bodies for months.
You won’t see ground squirrels at night—these guys are active during the day and head back underground at dusk. If you have pets, keep them away from burrows to prevent injuries or cave-ins.
Flying Squirrels: Tree Cavities and Communal Nests
Flying squirrels, being nocturnal, sleep during the day in tree cavities. They glide from tree to tree, then settle into hollow trunks lined with moss, feathers, and shredded bark.
Cavities offer safety and keep the temperature steady. Flying squirrels are pretty social. In winter, you might find 15–20 of them sharing a single cavity or drey to stay warm.
They use small entry holes and squeeze into tight spaces, making it tough for predators to get in. Sometimes, if you’re out at night, you’ll hear them rustling around in the trees.
If there aren’t enough natural cavities, flying squirrels move into nest boxes made just for them. Mount these boxes 12–40 feet up and use a small entrance to keep bigger animals out.
Sleeping Habits and Squirrel Families
Squirrels’ sleep habits really depend on their age, species, and the time of year. Let’s talk about how baby squirrels rely on nests and parents, how winter changes their routines, why they sometimes bunk together, and what happens when they live in cities.
Baby Squirrels and Family Nesting
Newborn squirrels—kits—sleep almost non-stop for their first few weeks. A kit might sleep up to 20–22 hours a day, with its mother keeping it fed and warm in a drey or tree cavity.
Tree squirrel kits stay in a cozy nest lined with moss, shredded bark, and fur until they open their eyes and start growing fur at about 3–4 weeks old. The mother leaves for short trips to find food and comes back often to nurse.
As kits reach 6–8 weeks, they start exploring a little but still sleep in the nest at night. In flying squirrel families, several adults might help care for the young in a shared nest.
Seasonal Changes: Winter Sleep and Torpor
When it gets cold, squirrels change how they sleep. Ground squirrels hibernate in their burrows, dropping their body temperature and heartbeat for months.
Usually, ground squirrels only wake up in spring, after a long, deep sleep to save energy. Tree and flying squirrels don’t truly hibernate.
Instead, they go into torpor—short spells where their metabolism and body temperature drop on cold nights. Sometimes, you’ll notice tree squirrels staying in their dreys for days during a cold snap, only coming out when it warms up a bit.
Sharing Nests for Warmth
To save heat, squirrels sometimes pile into nests together. Flying squirrels form big communal groups in tree cavities and huddle through the winter.
Tree squirrels mostly sleep alone, but in extreme cold, they’ll share a drey with a few others—sometimes up to nine—for extra warmth. Sharing depends a lot on the species and the season.
Ground squirrels, when they’re not hibernating, use deep burrow networks where family members sleep in nearby chambers for protection and warmth. Kind of cozy, right?
Urban and Wild Nest Adaptations
In cities, squirrels get pretty creative. They use attics, eaves, and building rafters as their nest sites. Sometimes, you’ll spot tree squirrels making dreys in rooflines or squeezing into old bird or bat boxes when there aren’t enough trees around.
For these urban nests, they’ll grab whatever they can—insulation, paper, even bits of cloth. It’s honestly impressive how resourceful they get.
Wild squirrels, on the other hand, usually stick with tree cavities, dense dreys, or deep burrows. It all depends on their species. Flying squirrels really go for hollow trunks, while ground squirrels dig out these elaborate underground systems.
If you pay attention, you’ll notice that human food and shelter change how they act. Urban squirrels might forage at weird hours and nest closer to easy food. Makes sense, doesn’t it?
