Squirrel

Natural Habitat

Squirrels are adaptable and can be found in various habitats, including forests, woodlands, parks, gardens, and urban/suburban areas, especially where trees are present for nesting and food. They often build nests (dreys) in tree cavities or out of leaves and twigs in tree branches.

Diet & Feeding

Mainly herbivorous, their diet consists primarily of nuts, seeds, fruits, and fungi. They are also opportunistic feeders and may eat insects, bird eggs, or young birds when other food sources are scarce. They are crucial for seed dispersal.

Behavior Patterns

Squirrels are highly active during the day, especially in the early morning and late afternoon. They are known for caching food, particularly nuts and seeds, by burying them in various locations for later retrieval. They use their keen sense of smell to locate buried stashes. Squirrels are agile climbers, spending a significant amount of time in trees, and can leap between branches with ease. While generally solitary, they can be seen interacting during mating season or when competing for food resources. They communicate through vocalizations, such as chirps and barks, and tail flicking.

Risks & Benefits

Potential risks include property damage from gnawing on structures or plants, and very rarely, they can carry diseases like rabies (though extremely rare for squirrels to transmit to humans). They can also raid bird feeders. Benefits include significant roles in seed dispersal, which aids in forest regeneration, and serving as a food source for various predators within their ecosystem.

Identified on: 8/8/2025