What Do Squirrels Do With Babies? A Deep Dive into Nest Life
Squirrels raise their young in carefully constructed nests, called dreys, and provide them with meticulous care until they are independent; What do squirrels do with babies? They nurture, protect, and teach them the skills necessary for survival.
Squirrels, those ubiquitous and often entertaining inhabitants of our parks and backyards, lead surprisingly complex lives, especially when it comes to raising their young. Understanding what do squirrels do with babies? goes beyond simply observing them scampering around with nuts. This involves delving into the intricacies of nest building, parental care, and the crucial early development stages.
Squirrel Nest Construction: The Drey
The squirrel’s home, the drey, is much more than just a pile of leaves. It’s a meticulously crafted structure, often built high in the trees for protection from predators. Squirrels typically build two types of dreys:
- Summer Dreys: These are lighter, temporary nests, often used for resting during the warmer months.
- Winter Dreys: These are much larger, insulated nests, designed to provide warmth and protection during the harsh winter months. They are typically constructed with layers of twigs, leaves, moss, and even shredded bark.
The construction of the drey is primarily the responsibility of the mother squirrel, who invests a considerable amount of time and energy into creating a safe and comfortable environment for her offspring.
The Birthing Process and Initial Care
Female squirrels typically give birth to litters of 2-5 kits (baby squirrels) after a gestation period of around 40 days. These newborns are completely dependent on their mother.
- They are born blind and hairless.
- They rely entirely on their mother for warmth, food (milk), and protection.
- The mother squirrel will constantly groom and nurse her young, keeping them clean and healthy.
The first few weeks are critical. The mother remains primarily in the drey, nursing and caring for her kits. She will leave only briefly to forage for food, always returning promptly to her litter.
Raising the Young: A Mother’s Dedication
As the kits grow, the mother squirrel continues to provide extensive care, gradually introducing them to solid foods and teaching them essential survival skills. This is a delicate period, marked by constant vigilance and patient guidance.
- Introducing Solid Food: Around 6-8 weeks, the mother will start bringing solid food back to the drey, gradually weaning her kits from milk. This includes nuts, seeds, fruits, and even insects.
- Teaching Foraging Skills: The mother will begin taking her kits outside the drey, teaching them how to forage for food, climb trees, and avoid predators.
- Protection from Predators: The mother squirrel is fiercely protective of her young, defending them against potential threats such as hawks, owls, foxes, and even domestic cats. She is always alert, ready to sound the alarm and lead her kits to safety.
Independence and Dispersal
Eventually, the young squirrels reach a stage of independence, typically around 10-12 weeks of age. At this point, they will begin to venture out on their own, establishing their own territories and learning to survive independently.
- Leaving the Drey: The kits gradually spend more time outside the drey, exploring their surroundings and developing their foraging skills.
- Establishing Territory: Young squirrels will often compete with each other (and with adult squirrels) for territory and resources.
- Independent Survival: Once they have established their own territory, the young squirrels are fully independent and capable of surviving on their own.
Common Threats to Squirrel Babies
Despite the mother squirrel’s best efforts, squirrel kits face numerous threats during their early lives. Understanding these threats helps us appreciate the challenges they face and the dedication of their mothers.
- Predation: As mentioned above, squirrels are preyed upon by a variety of animals.
- Starvation: If the mother squirrel is unable to find enough food, the kits may suffer from malnutrition or even starvation.
- Disease: Squirrels are susceptible to a variety of diseases, which can be particularly devastating to young kits.
- Habitat Loss: Loss of habitat due to deforestation and urbanization can reduce the availability of food and shelter, making it more difficult for squirrels to raise their young.
- Human Interference: Well-intentioned but misguided human intervention, such as trying to “rescue” apparently orphaned kits, can often do more harm than good.
How We Can Help
While it’s best to observe squirrels from a distance, there are ways we can help support their populations:
- Plant native trees and shrubs: This provides squirrels with food and shelter.
- Avoid using pesticides: These can harm squirrels and their food sources.
- Keep cats indoors: This protects squirrels from predation.
- Provide a source of water: Especially during dry periods.
By understanding what do squirrels do with babies?, and the challenges they face, we can contribute to creating a more sustainable environment for these fascinating creatures.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is a squirrel’s nest called?
A squirrel’s nest is called a drey. It is usually built high up in a tree and made of twigs, leaves, moss, and other materials. Squirrels sometimes also use tree cavities as nests, but a drey is their more typical construction.
How many babies do squirrels typically have?
Squirrels typically have litters of 2-5 kits. The size of the litter can vary depending on the species of squirrel and the availability of food.
How long do baby squirrels stay with their mother?
Baby squirrels stay with their mother for approximately 10-12 weeks. During this time, the mother will nurse, protect, and teach her kits how to survive.
What do baby squirrels eat?
Baby squirrels primarily drink their mother’s milk. As they get older, their mother will begin to introduce them to solid foods such as nuts, seeds, and fruits.
When do baby squirrels open their eyes?
Baby squirrels typically open their eyes around 3-5 weeks of age. Before this, they are completely dependent on their mother for everything.
How can you tell if a baby squirrel is orphaned?
An orphaned baby squirrel will often appear to be alone and distressed. It may be crying, shivering, or injured. However, it’s important to observe the squirrel from a distance before intervening, as the mother may be nearby foraging for food.
What should you do if you find an orphaned baby squirrel?
If you find a baby squirrel that you believe is orphaned, contact a licensed wildlife rehabilitator. They have the expertise and resources to properly care for the squirrel and give it the best chance of survival.
Can you keep a baby squirrel as a pet?
It is illegal to keep a wild squirrel as a pet in most places. Squirrels are wild animals and require specialized care.
How can I tell the difference between a male and female baby squirrel?
It is difficult to tell the difference between male and female baby squirrels without close examination. Wildlife rehabilitators can usually identify the sex of a squirrel.
Are baby squirrels dangerous?
While baby squirrels may appear cute and harmless, they can bite if they feel threatened. It’s best to observe them from a distance and avoid handling them.
Do squirrels abandon their babies?
Squirrels rarely abandon their babies. If you find a baby squirrel alone, it’s more likely that the mother is nearby foraging for food or has been temporarily scared away. Give the mother time to return before intervening.
What are the signs that a baby squirrel needs help?
Signs that a baby squirrel needs help include being injured, visibly sick, cold to the touch, covered in fleas or ticks, or crying incessantly. In these cases, contact a licensed wildlife rehabilitator immediately.