Squirrels are the cutest little animals you can see in the wild. These nimble adorable animals have around 200 species in the world. These are nearly found everywhere, in all parts of the world. Their sizes vary amongst the species. And different species are found in various areas according to their adaptation.
You may see them running up on trees, flying from one rooftop to another, and jumping up to 20 meters high! Now even though you have found this article to have a piece of knowledge about squirrels in Florida but brace yourself since we are about to provide you with some mind-blowing information about squirrels. Not only about the period of squirrels living in Florida but much more. So, what are you waiting for? Keep reading the article below!
Squirrels living in Florida:
Squirrels are cute, mushy creatures that you cannot resist cuddling with! But sadly, they fear human interaction and may run if you come near them! There are certain types of squirrels living in Florida. If you are lucky enough to have a residence in Florida, you may have come across any of these species listed below;
According to the Floridian wildlife community, the following are the types of squirrels you may find in Florida;
- Southern Flying Squirrels:
As the name indicates, these squirrels are found in the southern parts of Florida. Though you may confuse these with bats, these furry little animals have distinctive bodies. They have a thin skin attached from wrists to ankles which helps them glide from higher surfaces in the air. While gliding, they may look as if they are wearing a parachute!
These squirrels are about ten inches in length and are the only specie of squirrel that stay active at nighttime. This is what makes them nocturnal squirrels. These babies are active throughout the year but would hide in their nests in icy weather conditions. You can find these squirrels in all the wooded areas in Florida.
- Mexican Gray Squirrels:
The second type of squirrel you may find in Florida are Mexican gray squirrels.The cutest thing about them is their large furry tail. These are primarily active in the morning and love feeding on plants and fruits. One thing that makes them quite an intelligent specie is that they make their nests on their favorite tree but also make some nests on trees far away just as a safe hand. You can find these squirrels in all the wooded areas of Florida.
- Fox Squirrel:
If you cross the woods and see piles of cones in the area, you should know that it is a squirrel’s act done! Fox squirrels are my favorite ones. They range from different colors like cream to tan. But the most adorable thing about them is their long bushy tail, just like the one fox has.
That is where their name has been derived from! These cute species live in solitary and usually come out till mid-morning. You can find them in the parks, woods, and especially pine trees anywhere in Florida!
- Eastern Gray Squirrels:
As the name indicates, Eastern gray squirrels are of gray to dark brown tones and usually found in the wooded areas of Florida, mainly in the urban and suburban vicinities. The tips of their hair are usually white or very light gray. They are distinctive because of their appearance and the area they are found in.
How long do squirrels live in Florida:
Squirrels once move into an area and live their lifelong. A squirrel lives for around 8 to 12 years if not hunted by animals, killed by diseases, or under icy conditions in the wild. Squirrels usually live in Florida when the temperatures are high to moderate.
These creatures cannot survive in colder temperatures, making Florida a good place to hibernate. Squirrels move from other areas to Florida during hibernation because of their warmer temperatures. So if you think a squirrel might leave Florida anytime soon, you may be wrong because squirrels in Florida stay there all year.
Squirrels in colder temperatures:
The temperature in Florida varies throughout the year. The weather is perfect, and there’s no scorching heat during summers. Winters are not extremely cold either. But for a squirrel, colder temperatures are usually challenging to bear with.
In such situations, a squirrel goes to its nest and den with enough resources to feed on during the whole season. Once the temperature becomes normal, that’s when a squirrel comes out into the wild. However, some species of squirrels in Florida come out in the cold for their mating.
Frequently Asked Questions:
What do Floridian squirrels eat?
Floridian squirrels eat a variety of things. The Eastern gray squirrels like munching on nuts, walnuts, acorns, and hazelnuts. The fox squirrels like feeding on hickory nuts, walnuts, and pecans. Southern flying squirrels feed on bird feeders like sunflower seeds and nuts. Other than this, these squirrels love pine cones, berries, and other plants.
The gray squirrel found in Florida, is it gray?
Gray squirrels in Florida are not necessarily gray. They sometimes are found in dark brown tones as well. They are known as gray squirrels because they have a gray back with usually a gray tail.
In most cases, the tips of their hair are whitish. Their belly may have a mahogany color while you look at it from beneath. So gray squirrels are a blend of different colors, not just gray.
How do Floridian squirrels survive in winters?
The winters in Florida are not very harsh. The minimum temperature goes to 4C. That is why Florida has become a hub for hibernation by many squirrels from other areas. Anyhow, squirrels are adapted to discover and store their food throughout the year for the winter season.
They hide the food inside the tree barks or the dens that they have made. Sometimes they hide the nuts underneath the ground, and with maximum spatial memory, they uncover the nut later.
Can squirrels die falling from a height?
Though squirrels are made in a way to jump from one rooftop to another and have cushioned toes to save them from getting hurt if fallen to the ground, in some instances, squirrels can die as well if they fall from very high altitudes
Where do squirrels in Florida sleep?
In Florida, the squirrels sleep inside nests made by leaves and tree sticks. They also use tree cavities to hide and sleep at night. Squirrels are solitary animals and like staying alone most of the time, except for their breeding season. They sleep, eat, and prey alone.
Are squirrels protected in Florida?
Gray squirrels are one of the endangered species in Florida because of continuous hunting, climate temperatures, diseases, or animal prey. Wildlife authorities and animal rescuers work day and night to protect squirrels in the wild.
Though in some places, it is illegal to trap or kill a squirrel, and authorities check every 24 hours if someone is breaking the law.
Which animals eat squirrels in Florida?
Several animals hunt squirrels in the wild. Being small and easily accessible, animals like coyotes, foxes, eagles, and possums quickly get sight of these animals and hunt them down. The red hawk, found everywhere in Florida, mostly hunts these small furry animals. It first aims at them and then picks them up quite quickly.
