Spy on Squirrels

Squirrels scamper and scurry, gather and bury, chase and chatter—all day long.

Tree squirrels are easy to spot and fun to watch. Chances are, wherever you live, tree squirrels are nearby. They often live in parks, backyards, and along city streets. Because they are active during the day, squirrels are a great animal to observe up close.

So head outside for a closer look. Before long, you may find yourself becoming an expert squirrel watcher.

Clever Climbing. Squirrels are treetop climbers. With gripping feet and long tails for balance, they climb high and leap along from branch to branch.

Busy Building. Squirrels make leafy nests in tree holes and on branches. If you spot what seems to be a messy pile of leaves up in a tree, it’s likely a squirrel nest, called a drey (DRAY).

Chasing and Racing. In late winter squirrels choose mates. Males share females and try to chase away other males.

Daring Dining. You may have seen squirrels trying all kinds of tricks to get the seeds in a bird feeder. They don’t give up easily!

Treasure Seeking. Acorns and other nuts are favorite foods for squirrels. They stash nuts in trees and bury them in the ground. Then in winter, when food is scarce, they use their sharp noses to sniff out the hidden snacks.

Chatterboxing. Squirrels chatter, click, and squeak to talk to each other. They also may flick their tails. What they are usually saying is, “Stay away this food is mine.”

Zigging and Zagging. Have you seen a squirrel run out into the road in front of a car, stop, run back, run forward again, and barely escape? The routine seems foolish, but it’s a trick that works well when an animal is chasing the squirrel — just not so well when the “predator” is a car.

Document Your Discoveries

Grab your Nature Notebook and start a squirrel study. Stake out a spot to watch squirrels. Pretty soon, you’ll be an expert squirrel-watcher.

Let’s Get Started

Document Your Discoveries

Thanks for making a
Green Hour^® pledge!

Thanks for making a
Green Hour^® pledge!

Thanks for making a
Green Hour^® pledge!

Come back every week for more ways to Come Together for Nature with The Americas!