All About Squirrels

It is always a pleasure to see these adorable and nimble creatures in our yard. They have these charming little eyes and fuzzy tails while holding on tight to their precious pecan food. They are also very talented; they can do acrobatic stunts and climb like Spiderman. Most of all, these very cute animals are very smart, just like our beloved dogs at home. They can learn easily when trained. If you teach them how to find ways to a problem, they can. If you’d like them to eat peanuts on your hands, they will. Squirrels are highly trainable, entertaining, friendly and adorable creatures that you’d want to keep one as your wonderful pet.

Amazing, isn’t it? But really, most of us know little about squirrels . All we know is that they are fun to watch in our yard running around and climbing those big and tall trees. Actually, there are so many things that we need to discover about these creatures so that we can treat them better.

Let’s start off with their home – where do they live and do they have nests.

Do Squirrels Have Nests?

Yes, they do and there are two kinds.

The first one is called tree cavity dens. What are these? Well, woodpecker birds originally make these dens; using their pointed, long and strong beaks, they chisel out tree barks to look for food like insects and other pests. Sometimes, these birds are able to create holes, which the squirrels later on use to build a den. Oh yes, squirrels are very resourceful and witty. Although they have strong frontal teeth, they aren’t able to chisel the outer barks of trees. So what they do is just look for those ready-made holes or tree cavities, and dig more to make them deeper, perfect to become a hideout or a den. Some of them are very strategic by creating a system of tunnels inside the tree. But of course, there are trees having natural holes especially on their bottom trunk so squirrels are also very lucky to find those. The tree cavity dens are their favorite because they can best protect them all year round, whether it’s rainy, snowy or sunny.

The second one is called leaf nests. The squirrels themselves create these nests out of hard work, patience and perseverance. Just imagine these cute and small creatures finding leaves to use and carrying them up to their chosen tree. Yes, just like birds they look for leaves. However, their nests are obviously larger and seemingly unproportioned – the edges are not well formed unlike bird nests. The leaf nests are usually situated 20 feet from the ground and are tucked in tree fork. But hear ye, hear ye, these aren’t just made out of leaves alone. The leaves are combined with twigs, moss and other materials for durability and of course, stability. The squirrels strategically places the twigs in the tree fork to create a base for the nest. Next, they put moss to the leaves and roll to combine, which they then puts on the interwoven twigs. Afterwards, they form a spherical frame surrounding the base; thereby, creating the outer part of the nest. As the finale, they stuff all the materials together to strengthen the structure.

So Where Do Squirrels Go at Night?

Of course, to their nests – whether it’s a tree cavity den or leaf nest. These nests become their sanctuaries where they can find relaxation, a home to sleep during the night, sure protection from any predators and natural calamities, and an area to reproduce and raise their babies.

Read more about squirrel nests in our article All About Squirrel Nests.

What could possibly be more adorable than a squirrel? How about a baby squirrel? Have you ever wandered what baby squirrels are called? Well, here’s the answer for you!

A baby squirrel is called simply a baby squirrel or an infant squirrel.

Baby squirrels are also sometimes called kits or kittens. The term “kit” is derived from the Middle English word “kitoun,” which means “a young animal.” The term “kitten” is used because baby squirrels are so small and furry, much like domestic kittens.

There is actually no exact name for the family of squirrels since they do not perform a hierarchical organization in nature. As a matter of fact, squirrels give birth to babies during springtime.

There over 200 species of squirrels worldwide, and they can be classified into three main categories: tree squirrels, ground squirrels, and flying squirrels. Each species has its unique characteristics, including size, behavior, and habitat. However, all baby squirrels share the same name, regardless of the species they belong to.

When born, baby squirrels are entirely dependent on their mother for survival. They are born blind and naked, with their eyes and ears closed. They rely on their sense of touch and smell to find their way around and locate their mother’s milk. Baby squirrels are born in litters of two to eight, depending on the species. The mother squirrel will nurse her young for several weeks until they are old enough to start eating solid food.

As baby squirrels grow, they become more active and adventurous. They learn to climb and explore their surroundings, practicing the skills they will need to survive in the wild. The mother squirrel will continue to care for her young, teaching them how to forage for food and avoid predators.

Infant Squirrels

Squirrels are born blind and naked and rely entirely on their mother for survival. As they grow, they become more independent and learn the skills they need to survive in the wild. Squirrels are fascinating animals that are fun to watch and learn about, and knowing what a baby squirrel is called is just one small part of their story.

During birth, an infant squirrel weighs at least 1 -2 ounces and it is usually blind and has no fur. After giving birth, the mother squirrel normally takes care of the young one for at least 8-10 weeks prior to baby squirrels venturing off on their own. The babies might be moved to make sure they are safe and she carries them using her mouth. Male squirrels do not help in raising young ones, they usually move on immediately they mate.

Squirrels love nuts even though they can eat roots, small insects, leaves, acorns and tree barks. However, it should be noted that at times some species of squirrels do not eat tree barks because they do not have a stomach that can break down cellulose. Squirrels collect and save a lot of food during the year especially during autumn. Squirrels have a typical rodent teeth pattern. They have large gnawing scissors which grow throughout in life. They also have a grinding cheek teeth set at the back behind diastema or a wide gap.

Squirrels have a good vision when they are adults but they are born blind. Mother squirrels can give birth to 2-8 infants at once. When she gives birth, all the infants depend on the mother for milk and food for some months before they are able to look for their own food. A mother can only give birth twice a year that is during the end of summer and at spring time.

Squirrels normally exhibit camaraderie kind of behavior when they live in groups. This unselfish trait usually comes off specifically when they feel they are not safe. When they sense danger, they will make a warning call to make their fellow rodents hide from loitering predators. The one that makes the warning is likely to be the last to leave hence putting his life in more danger.

Adulthood and Lifespan

Unfortunately, most squirrels die during their first year of their life. Adult squirrels have an average lifespan of 5-10 years in the wild. However, some squirrels can survive up to 10-20 years in captivity.

Squirrels live in holes of trunks, trees or even at the treetop and in abandoned crow’s nests. They look for nests when they start mating and this is when they are about one year old.

Squirrels are a common sight in many parts of the world, and they are known for their cute and curious nature. They are small, nimble creatures that are quick on their feet and adept at climbing trees. When we see a squirrel scurrying up a tree, we often wonder what the little ones are called. In this article, we will explore the question of what a baby squirrel is called.