Ever wondered where squirrels disappear to when winter hits and snow covers everything? You’ll usually spot them tucked away in nests, tree hollows, burrows, or sneaking into warm spots near people—think attics, garages, or under decks.
Squirrels don’t hibernate fully. They stay active through winter by finding shelter and munching on food they’ve stashed away.
You’ll find out which squirrels actually hibernate, who builds those leafy nests called dreys, and why some end up in the oddest places—like chimneys or even under car hoods. I’ll point out simple clues that signal a squirrel has moved in nearby and what that might mean for your home or yard.
Where Squirrels Live in the Winter
Squirrels pick a few tried-and-true shelters to stay warm, save energy, and guard their food. Depending on the species and the weather, they curl up in leafy nests, tree hollows, buildings, or deep burrows underground.
Tree Nests and Dreys
Tree squirrels love to build dreys high up in the fork of branches. A drey looks like a round ball of twigs, leaves, moss, and grass.
You might spot one about football-sized, wedged in a branch junction. Inside, squirrels line the chamber with leaves and feathers for extra insulation.
You’ll sometimes see more than one drey in a single tree. Squirrels switch nests to dodge parasites or escape nasty weather.
These dreys shield squirrels from wind and light snow, but heavy storms can make them leak. Squirrels count on their thick winter fur and food stashes close by to get through the rough patches.
When you see squirrels out and about in winter, they’re probably living in a nearby drey.
Tree Cavities and Man-Made Shelters
Some squirrels pick natural tree cavities or hollow trunks for dens. Cavities offer better warmth and dryness than dreys and help keep predators out.
Flying squirrels and some tree squirrels especially like these cozy spots for nesting and winter naps.
When tree cavities are hard to find, squirrels slip into attics, chimneys, or sheds. They look for tight spaces and drag in soft bedding.
If you notice chewed wood, droppings, or piles of leaves in your attic, chances are a squirrel has moved in for the season.
You might hear scratching at night if squirrels settle inside your house. Sealing up gaps and using chimney caps can help keep them out without hurting them.
If squirrels just won’t leave, it’s best to call humane wildlife control for help.
Underground Burrows for Ground Squirrels
Ground squirrels dig burrows below the frost line to hibernate. Arctic ground squirrels and California ground squirrels carve out long tunnels with sloped entrances and grassy nest chambers.
These burrows keep the temperature steady and block out the wind.
Before winter, ground squirrels eat a lot to fatten up and then plug some entrances with dirt. When winter hits, they go into deep torpor—their bodies slow way down to save energy.
Sometimes, they wake up for a bit to shuffle around or check on their food.
You’ll spot burrow systems by tiny round soil mounds and clear paths leading out. Try not to disturb burrows in winter—waking hibernating squirrels can really harm them.
If burrows threaten buildings, wait until spring to use exclusion methods when the squirrels are active again.
Squirrels’ Winter Survival Strategies
Squirrels get ready for winter by hiding food, putting on fat, and finding warm hideouts. I’ll cover how they stash food, share nests, use boxes people put up, and even tweak their bodies and habits by species.
Food Storage and Fat Reserves
Squirrels hide nuts and seeds in lots of small caches all over their territory. You won’t find just one big pile.
Gray squirrels bury hundreds of little food stashes, while red squirrels sometimes keep a single big pile called a midden.
They scatter their caches, so even if they forget some, they can still dig up enough to get by.
In fall, squirrels eat more to build up fat. That extra layer gives them energy and keeps their bodies warm on freezing days.
If you want to help out, plant nut or berry trees, or put out a few shelled nuts—just don’t overdo it.
Huddling, Nest Sharing, and Squirrel Nesting Boxes
Squirrels use different shelters—tree hollows, dreys, and underground burrows. On the coldest nights, they’ll sometimes huddle together in a drey or cavity to share warmth.
That way, each squirrel saves a bit of body fat.
You can put up a squirrel nesting box to offer a dry, insulated den. Place it about 10–20 feet up a tree, away from the wind, with an entrance hole about 3–4 inches wide.
A nesting box really helps in cities, where natural tree hollows can be tough to find.
Adaptations to Cold Weather
Squirrels grow thicker fur in winter, trapping more air to stay warm. Some even change their fur a little to soak up more sunlight.
You might notice red squirrels with extra tufts on their ears—those help cut down heat loss.
When squirrels stay active, they shiver to warm up during cold snaps. Hibernating ground squirrels, like Richardson’s ground squirrel, slow their heart rate and body heat way down, waking up now and then just to warm up a bit.
These changes help them save energy when food is scarce.
Different Species and Their Winter Behavior
Squirrels don’t all act the same way when winter rolls around. Tree squirrels—like the eastern grey and red squirrels—usually stay pretty active. They count on their hidden food stashes and sleep in nests or tree cavities.
Flying squirrels do things a bit differently. They stick to cavities and only venture out at night, gliding through the trees to grab food they’ve tucked away.
Ground squirrels are a whole other story. Take Richardson’s ground squirrel, for example. It hibernates for weeks or even months, letting its body temperature drop and metabolism slow way down.
Some other ground squirrels don’t hibernate as deeply. Instead, they hang out near their burrows and dart out for quick snacks when the weather isn’t too harsh.
If you know which species lives nearby, you’ll have a better shot at spotting them above ground during the colder months.
