You probably spot squirrels in trees, parks, or even your own backyard. But have you ever wondered where most of them actually live? Squirrels build homes in trees, dig underground burrows, and sometimes settle in nest cavities—it really depends on the species and their environment. Let’s take a look at where different squirrels prefer to settle and why those spots work for them.
Watch how tree squirrels, flying squirrels, and ground squirrels pick their shelters. The choices they make shape their behavior and survival.
You’ll also start to notice the signs of squirrel homes and maybe get why some species thrive in cities while others stick to forests and fields.
Habitats and Living Spaces of Squirrels
Squirrels adjust to just about any place with food, shelter, and a bit of safety. You’ll see them darting through trees, hiding underground, or hanging around buildings where people leave food or create quiet corners.
Natural Forest Environments
Tree squirrels and flying squirrels mostly stick to forests with big, mature trees and thick canopies. You might spot their dreys—those leafy nests—tucked in branch forks or hidden inside hollow trunks.
They use twigs, leaves, and moss to build nests that keep their young warm. Flying squirrels look for cavities or nest boxes in old trees since they need dark, sheltered spots to glide from at night.
Tree squirrels leap between branches and also use cavities. You’ll probably catch them snacking on nuts, seeds, and fungi close to their nests.
Forests with a mix of old and young trees give them the best shot at finding shelter and food. Standing dead trees and snags matter a lot—they offer natural nesting cavities.
Urban and Suburban Areas
In towns and suburbs, tree squirrels make do with parks, yards, and street trees. If you’ve got a bird feeder or a nut tree, you’re basically rolling out the red carpet for them.
They use utility lines and fences to get around when trees are scarce. Flying squirrels don’t show up much during the day, but they’ll use tree cavities in yard trees or nest boxes if you put them out.
Ground squirrels and chipmunks dig into lawns, gardens, and green belts where they can burrow in loose soil. Human food and waste draw squirrels in, so trimming overhanging branches and locking down compost helps keep them away.
If you want to support local squirrels, plant native trees like oaks and maples, but keep feeders in check.
Underground Burrows and Tunnel Systems
Ground squirrels and some chipmunks dig burrows with a bunch of entrances and chambers. You’ll notice these tunnels in open fields, lawns, and along the edges of meadows where the soil’s easy to dig.
Burrows give them spots to nest, store food, and hibernate. Usually, a main entrance leads to nesting rooms and side tunnels for quick escapes.
You might see little piles of dirt near the entrances. These burrows help control temperature and protect the young from predators.
Near cities, you might find burrows close to foundations, sidewalks, or under sheds. If these tunnels mess with your landscaping or threaten your home’s foundation, it’s best to look into humane exclusion or get professional advice before messing with them.
Home Invasions: Squirrels in Attics and Structures
Squirrels squeeze into attics, chimneys, and wall spaces looking for dry, warm spots to build nests. If tree branches touch your roof, you might hear scratching or see chewed soffits—classic squirrel moves.
You’ll find shredded insulation, paper, and leaves as nesting material in attics. Both tree and flying squirrels can get inside, but flying squirrels like to sneak through small gaps and higher cavities.
Once they’re in, they breed and raise their young, which can lead to chewed wires and insulation. You can keep them out by trimming branches away from your roof, sealing up holes bigger than a quarter, and putting caps on chimneys.
If a squirrel’s already inside, don’t seal exits until you’re sure the young are gone. Call wildlife control for safe removal and to keep them from coming back. For more info on keeping squirrels out and their favorite habitats, check out this guide: squirrel habitats and attic entry.
Species and Shelter Types
Squirrels pick different homes depending on their species, the habitat, and how much danger is around. Some live way up in the tree canopy, others glide from trunk to trunk, and some dig deep tunnels underground.
Tree Squirrels and Dreys
Tree squirrels like the eastern gray squirrel (Sciurus carolinensis), fox squirrels, and red squirrels build leaf nests called dreys or settle into tree cavities. Dreys, made from twigs, leaves, moss, and fur, sit in forked branches or thick foliage.
They give insulation in winter and cool shade in summer. You might spot dreys anywhere from 10 to 60 feet up in forests, parks, or even your backyard.
Species like the western gray squirrel and Douglas squirrel go for big, mature trees and often switch between dreys and hollow trunks. Dreys are usually round, about 8–12 inches across, and squirrels might rebuild them every season.
Tree cavities work better for species that need more protection from predators or cold. Flying squirrels and some red-tailed squirrels use cavities left by woodpeckers or decay.
Cavities stay drier and last longer than dreys, so squirrels move between nest types for safety and raising their young.
Flying Squirrels and the Patagium
Flying squirrels—like the southern flying squirrel (Glaucomys volans) and northern flying squirrel (Glaucomys sabrinus)—don’t actually fly. They glide using a stretchy flap of skin called the patagium, which runs from wrist to ankle.
The patagium lets them glide 50 to 150 feet between trees to escape predators or grab food. You’ll usually find flying squirrels in mature forests with plenty of cavities and high branches.
They go for tree cavities, old dreys, or nest boxes since these spots are sheltered and warm. Flying squirrels are nocturnal, so you probably won’t catch them during the day.
They line their nests with soft stuff like fur and moss. The patagium really shapes how they pick shelter—gliding works best when trees are spaced just right so they can travel safely between high-up refuges at night.
Ground Squirrels and Burrow Networks
Ground squirrels—whether prairie types or those folks just call ground squirrels—dig out burrow networks with a bunch of entrances. Inside, you’ll find nesting spots, little food storage pockets, and escape routes for when things get dicey.
Some burrows stretch several feet underground and snake through a surprising amount of earth. You’ll usually spot these systems in grasslands, open fields, or even the edges of some suburbs, especially where the soil’s loose enough for easy digging.
Burrows really help with temperature swings and keep squirrels safe during hibernation or those long naps called torpor. These critters get pretty territorial; they guard their burrow entrances and work to keep the tunnels clear.
Burrow networks aren’t just about survival—they shape the squirrels’ social lives, too. Some species just want to be left alone, but others, like prairie dogs, set up little colonies with tunnels connecting family groups.
Curious where ground squirrels might be hiding? Keep an eye out for small piles of dirt and a cluster of holes nearby.
