You’ll usually spot dreys or dens if you’re watching tree squirrels like eastern gray or red squirrels. Ground squirrels, on the other hand, dig burrows instead.
If you spot a ball of leaves high up in a tree (a drey) or a hollow in a trunk (a den), tree squirrels built those. Ground squirrels? Nope, they stick to burrows.
Different squirrel species have their own ways of picking nest sites. Some nests perch on branches, others hide inside trunks, and a few disappear underground.
It’s honestly kind of fascinating how their nesting style tells you who lives where.
Which Squirrels Build Nests and Where
Depending on the species and the season, squirrels nest in all sorts of places. Some build leafy ball nests in branches, some use hollow trunks, others dig underground, and a few even sneak into buildings or cars.
Tree Squirrels and Dreys
If you watch gray or red squirrels in your yard or at the park, you’ll probably spot a drey sooner or later. Dreys are round, leafy nests that squirrels build on sturdy forks or branches, usually about 20–30 feet up.
Squirrels weave twigs into a shell and then stuff the inside with leaves, moss, and shredded bark. That helps keep things insulated.
You can recognize a drey by its ball shape and the layers of leaves. Mothers use dreys for short-term shelter, quick naps, and raising babies when there’s no tree cavity around.
Squirrels often keep a few dreys in their home range. It’s a safety thing, and honestly, it probably helps with avoiding parasites too.
Tree Cavities and Tree Hollows
The safest squirrel homes hide inside tree cavities or hollows. These are natural or woodpecker-made holes in trunks and big limbs.
Squirrels pick cavities because solid wood protects them from wind, rain, and predators. Inside, they line a chamber with softer stuff—fur, grass, and leaves—to keep their young warm.
Cavity nests usually show up in older trees like oaks and elms. If a cavity is available, squirrels almost always choose it over a drey, especially for winter or when raising babies.
Ground Squirrels and Underground Burrows
Not every squirrel lives in trees. Ground squirrels dig burrow networks with tunnels, nesting chambers, and escape exits.
You’ll find these burrows under rocks, tree roots, or out in open fields. The underground nests regulate temperature and hide babies from hawks and foxes.
Inside, the mother lines a nest chamber with grass and fur. Ground squirrels time their breeding and burrow use to local seasons—some hibernate, others stay active.
If you’re near a meadow or roadside and spot small holes with short dirt runs, you’re probably close to a ground squirrel colony.
Urban and Unusual Nest Locations
In towns, squirrels get creative and use all sorts of weird spots for nests. You might find dreys or cavity nests tucked in attics, soffits, garages, or even inside car engines.
When natural materials are scarce, squirrels grab insulation, shredded paper, or bits of cloth. In urban areas, they prefer mature trees near buildings, but they’ll move into wall cavities or chimneys if they can.
These choices keep squirrels safe, but they can cause damage and noise. If you find a nest in your home, check local wildlife guidance first—sometimes there are nursing babies inside.
Squirrel Nesting Habits and Nest Types
Squirrels build two main nest types and usually keep several nests within a small area. They make leafy dreys and dens, and you’ll notice that mothers rely on nests to raise their young.
Leaf Nests Structure and Materials
Leaf nests, or dreys, perch on forked branches or close to trunks. They look like round balls of twigs and leaves, usually about 10–20 inches across.
You’ll spot a drey by its woven twig frame, covered with a thick layer of dry leaves, moss, and sometimes bark. Inside, squirrels line the cavity with soft stuff—grass, shredded bark, moss, feathers, or even a bit of fur.
That lining traps heat and keeps baby squirrels warm. The outer twigs and packed leaves shed rain and help break the wind.
Some squirrels add mud or wet leaves that dry and harden to toughen up the shell.
Dreys go up fast but need regular repairs. You’ll see squirrels patching holes, adding fresh lining, or swapping out dreys for a den as weather or predators change.
Nest Construction Process
Squirrels start by picking a strong branch or a tree hollow. For a drey, they weave a platform of twigs and small branches, carrying materials in their mouths or paws.
For a den, they check out cavities and clear away loose wood before adding bedding. Next, they build the outer shell by weaving twigs into a sphere.
They pack leaves and moss into gaps to make the shell wind- and water-resistant. Squirrels usually use whatever’s nearby—oak leaves, pine needles, shredded bark—so your yard actually shapes the nest.
Finally, they add a soft inner cup of grass, feathers, or fur. The nest gets one or two small entrances, just big enough for a squirrel, which helps hide it from predators.
You might see squirrels working on nests for days or returning seasonally to add more insulation.
Multiple Nests and Their Purposes
Most squirrels keep several nests in their home range. You’ll sometimes find a main den plus a few dreys scattered around.
Each nest has a purpose: a main den for winter shelter, spare dreys for naps, and emergency nests to escape predators. Backups lower the risk—if something finds one nest, the squirrel can dash to another right away.
Switching nests also helps control parasites like fleas and mites. Squirrels just move to a clean spot when one gets too buggy.
Some nests are seasonal. They use insulated dens for winter and cooler dreys for summer. You might even spot temporary nests during breeding or when a mother needs a quick safe place while foraging.
Raising Young Inside the Nest
When a female gets ready for babies, she picks out the safest nest she can find—usually a den tucked inside a tree hollow if she’s lucky enough to spot one.
She lines it with whatever feels softest: shredded bark, moss, grass, feathers, and sometimes even fur she’s pulled from her own tail.
That way, her blind, hairless pups get a warm, cushioned nursery.
A mother usually gives birth to two to six pups and sticks close to the nest for the first few weeks.
She’ll only slip out for quick foraging trips, then hurry back to nurse and groom her babies.
The nest’s thick insulation and tiny entrance help keep out cold and predators, especially when she’s not there.
Once the pups start growing, the nest turns into a bit of a classroom.
Young squirrels practice climbing on nearby branches and sometimes nap in other dreys close by.
By the time they’re six to eight weeks old, they get curious and start exploring outside the nest.
Eventually, they wander off to find their own nesting spots—seems like everyone needs their own space eventually, right?
