![]() How You Can Help Grey Squirrels Survive Winter Grey squirrels utilize shivering to generate extra body heat during cold winter months.Īn interesting study has found that black squirrels, which are genetic variations of grey squirrels, are better at shivering and may eventually become dominant species in colder climates. In colder regions the thicker coat is expanded to include more fur on their ears and the soles of their feet ( source). In addition to gaining weight, squirrels adapt their bodies for winter by developing a thicker coat. They also rely on their fat reserves to survive the long, cold winters. The increased fat layer serves as a layer of insulation to protect the squirrels core body temperature as well as a reserve of energy for when food sources become scarce. Some estimates say that the grey squirrels consumes 32% more food than energetically required during the fall and increase their weight by 25%. In the fall, when tree nuts are plentiful, squirrels will eat voracious amounts of extra food to pack on weight and develop an increased fat layer. Squirrels will hide nuts in car engines, in the fur of sleeping dogs and in the pockets of people who just gave them a nut! If you would like to check out some silly videos of squirrels and their silly food caches then check out this article on Where Do Squirrels Hide Their Nuts? Grey Squirrels Bulk Up with Fat and a Thicker Fur Coat The instinctual drive to hide food gets somewhat comical at times. ![]() Many of the undisturbed buried nuts will germinate, sprout and turn into the next generation of forest trees. One benefit of the grey squirrel’s rampant nut caching behavior is that it is impossible for the squirrel to remember where all of the nuts are buried. This behavior is a form of food protection so if one or two food sources get discovered by other squirrels they still have plenty of other food sources in reserve. Grey squirrels are classic scatter hoarders which means that they make as many food stores as possible. (Read more here: What Do Squirrels Eat? Two Big Surprises!) Squirrels stash away acorns, hickory nuts, walnuts, etc for winter munching. Grey squirrels spend much of the fall preparing food stores for winter. Grey squirrels will often stay in their nests for 2-3 days at a time and only come out to search for food around midday ( source).īy staying in their nests they use less energy, stay warmer and help maintain the shared body heat. Once the squirrels are in their nests they tend to stay there as much as possible. Grey Squirrels Reduce Physical Activity in Winter Here is a peek inside a grey squirrel nest…it looks kind of cozy in there! ![]() Grey squirrels will share a nest with just a few other squirrels while Flying squirrels have been known to share a nest with more than 20 other squirrels. Most tree squirrels will share their nests with other squirrels for the benefit of the shared body heat. Grey squirrels make it through the winter by building warm nests or dreys. Grey Squirrels Build and Share Protected Nests The primary mechanisms grey squirrels employ for winter survival include: Homeotherms maintain a constant body temperature throughout the seasons so hibernation is not necessary. It turns out that grey squirrels are warm-blooded homeotherms. 2.3 Provide Food and Water for Squirrels During the Winter Grey Squirrels Do Not Hibernate
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