If you know where to look, you’ll spot squirrel homes. Most squirrels live in tree cavities or build those messy-looking dreys out of leaves and twigs high in the branches. Some species, though, prefer to nest underground.
Tree squirrels usually go for cavities or high branch dreys. They want spots that keep their young safe and dry.
This article takes a look at where different squirrels decide to nest and how they actually build and use those spots. You’ll get tips for spotting dreys, finding signs of cavity dens, and even what nest materials can reveal about squirrel habits.
Where Squirrels Nest and Types of Nests
Squirrels pick homes that keep them safe, dry, and warm. Some use tree hollows or build leaf nests, while others dig out underground burrows or find cozy spots near people.
Tree Hollows and Cavity Dens
Tree squirrels love cavities for the protection they offer. These dens form in trunks or big branches—usually in older oaks, elms, or pines with rot pockets or abandoned woodpecker holes.
You’ll spot the entrance hole about 10–60 feet up, just big enough for a squirrel but too small for bigger predators. Inside, squirrels pack in shredded bark, moss, and grass for bedding.
The hard wood walls keep kittens and adults safe from wind and rain. If you notice a round hole and some loose bark nearby, there’s probably a squirrel den inside.
Dreys: Leaf Nests in Trees
A drey is that ball-shaped leaf nest you sometimes see wedged in a fork of branches. Squirrels weave twigs into a shell and line the inside with leaves, moss, and whatever soft stuff they can find.
Dreys usually perch on strong forks 20–60 feet up, where branches cut the wind. Squirrels don’t settle for just one—they build several dreys around their territory and switch between them.
Dreys work for short-term shelter or raising young if a good cavity isn’t around. They need repairs pretty often, so you might notice fresh twigs or leaves added through the year.
Ground Squirrels and Underground Nests
Ground squirrels dig burrows and chambers into hillsides or flat ground. Their underground nests have tunnels with nesting chambers lined in grass or fur, plus separate rooms for food.
Entrances hide under rocks or thick plants. Burrows keep ground squirrels safe from heat, cold, and predators like foxes or hawks.
If you see small, plugged holes with little piles of dirt nearby, you’ve probably found a ground squirrel nest system—not a tree cavity or drey.
Urban and Unusual Nesting Locations
Squirrels get creative in cities. They use attics, soffits, chimneys, and nest boxes when trees aren’t enough.
In urban areas, some swap tree cavities for a warm attic space. You might see dreys crammed into thick evergreens or tucked in the crook of a yard tree.
Sometimes, squirrels even nest inside cars or sheds for insulation. If you find a nest in your home, try not to disturb it—especially if there are babies—and maybe call a professional for help.
If you want to help backyard squirrels, hang a nesting box high in a tree. That gives them a safer option than your attic.
Squirrel Nest Construction and Nesting Habits
Let’s get into what squirrels use to build nests, how they fix them up, how mothers raise babies, and why squirrels often keep more than one home.
Nest Building Materials and Structure
Squirrels grab twigs and leaves to make a sturdy outer shell. They weave twigs into a base, then pile up round walls.
To fill the gaps, they stuff in dry leaves, moss, and sometimes mud. This makes the shell resist wind and rain.
For the inside, squirrels add grass, shredded bark, fur, feathers, or even bits of insulation or fabric if they find it. That soft layer keeps the nest warm for sleeping and raising babies.
Tree hollows already have hard walls, so squirrels just add extra lining inside those.
A drey looks like a leafy ball, maybe 6–12 inches wide, tucked in a branch fork. A den is just a hollow chamber inside a trunk with a small entrance.
You might spot droppings, chewed pine cones, or bits of nest material under trees as clues.
How Squirrels Build and Maintain Nests
You’ll see squirrels carrying twigs in their mouths, one at a time. They weave them into a base and start building up the nest.
It doesn’t always take long—a basic drey can go up in less than a day—but squirrels keep fixing and improving it for days or weeks after.
Squirrels constantly maintain their nests. They swap out wet leaves, add fresh lining, and patch up holes after storms or if a predator messes things up.
Sometimes, they use wet leaves or mud as glue, which hardens and makes the nest sturdier. If parasites take over, squirrels just move to another nest and leave the old one behind.
If there’s a good tree hollow nearby, squirrels usually pick it. The wood gives better protection from wind and predators.
You might notice squirrels checking out several hollows and dreys, then picking whichever fits the weather or their needs at the moment.
Raising Young and Family Life
When a female is about to have babies, she focuses on insulation and safety. She builds or picks the warmest nest and lines it with soft stuff.
Baby squirrels are born blind and hairless, so they need a thick, well-lined nest to stay warm when their mom heads out to find food.
A typical litter has two to six kits. The mother nurses and grooms them inside the nest for weeks.
You might spot her going in and out of the same nest a lot during this time. Male squirrels don’t usually help with raising the young.
If a predator finds the nest or parasites show up, the mother sometimes moves her babies to another nest. She’ll reuse a safe tree hollow for more than one litter if she can.
Multiple Nests and Seasonal Nesting
Squirrels usually keep several nests scattered around their territory. You’ll probably spot a main den, plus a few backup dreys tucked away nearby.
Why so many? Well, they want to dodge predators, avoid parasites, and pick the best shelter for whatever the weather’s doing that day.
Season plays a big part, too. When summer hits, squirrels build lighter dreys with plenty of airflow.
But when winter rolls in, they really pile on the insulation and start favoring tree hollows that hold heat better. Sometimes, they’ll even switch nests during a cold snap, hunting for the coziest spot they can find.
Keeping all these nests ready means squirrels can adapt fast if food runs low or a storm wrecks their home.
Want to help out? Try leaving brush piles or put up a squirrel nesting box high in a tree. That way, squirrels get a few extra safe spots, and you support their natural nesting instincts.
