Squirrels are probably the most liked species in the world because of their curious and fascinating characteristics. The squirrels have over 200 different types, and every single one has its gestation and reproductive habits. Their slender bodies, dark round eyes, bushy tails, and zig-zag running patterns make them the most adorable sight to look at! Not only are these furry fellows cute, but they are also knowledgeable!
The article below would generally be talking about the squirrels as a whole. You may have seen a bulky squirrel constantly munching on anything that gets in the way, and you may be wondering if it is about to deliver the babies. Now you think how many furry little fellows a squirrel gives, you need to keep reading this article below!
Table of Contents
A squirrel’s breeding habits:
Squirrels have many species that live in different places worldwide. Every specie differs from the other in terms of its mating patterns. You can find them in all the areas except for the contents of Antarctica and Australia. But mainly, the squirrels breed twice the year. However, some squirrels, like the red ones, only mate once a year. But mostly, squirrels go through the breeding season twice yearly. The first mating season happens from December to February. And the second season takes place from May to the end of June. The gestation period for all the squirrels ranges from 35-45 days. Mating also depends on the availability of food. If the food is scarce, the females tend to mate just once a year.
The dominant male squirrel makes the recessive ones run away and then breed. Once the breeding is over, males are not involved in rearing younger ones in any specie. It may sound not polite about males, but this is how they spend their lives.
Where do the squirrels give their babies?
Mother squirrels, like any mammal, would go through all ways for the safety of their little ones. Though one may think about how a squirrel can keep its babies secure in the wild, the answer is that they build the strongest and safest nests up on the trees or even in the attics of your house. They make sure to build the nest at least 6 meters above the ground so that the babies are safe and sound. There are squirrels known as ground squirrels that give babies on the ground, but they too find the safest place to deliver their babies.
Anyhow, a female squirrel makes the nest all by herself. If you see a bulky squirrel constantly munching on something and always gathering sticks and moss, you should know that she’s about to deliver her babies.
A mother squirrel collects anything from the wild like twigs, sticks, branches, leaves, damp leaves, moss, fungi, and even garbage to make a nest for her children. The nest she makes is almost 8-9 inches in diameter and can hold around 9 babies at a time. She makes multiple nests on multiple trees so that she can carry her baby once they are 6 weeks old or if she senses any danger in a particular nest.
Male squirrels play no part here either. According to some people, the male squirrel may attack and eat their little ones, but this happens only when there is food scarcity.
The female squirrel first makes the base of the nest with twigs and branches, then adds moss along with damp leaves for comfort, and later adds thicker branches on the outsides for protection. The nest made is well-ventilated and well-insulated.
How many babies do the squirrels have?
Once the gestation period of 35-45 days is over, a litter of 4-9 babies is born. These little ones are about an ounce and an inch in size. Some squirrels produce a litter of 3-4 babies while others go as much as 9 in the litter.
Some mothers deliver two litters a year, while others give a single one. The first litter, born in spring, leaves the nest and becomes independent after a couple of weeks, while for many types of squirrels, the second litter born at the start of winter stays with the mother throughout the season. A squirrel’s babies are born naked, deaf, and blind. And are entirely dependent on their mother for shelter, food, and security until they can walk and roam around themselves. They have no sight of their fathers in the whole process. All they rely upon is their mother.
Post-delivery details:
Once the baby squirrels are born, their mother takes care of them day and night. Mother squirrels are very aggressive when it comes to the protection of their babies. She will attack with her sharp claws if she sees any threat or an intruder! She stays near the nest no matter what.
The mother squirrel always makes her nest near the food sources so that she can go for a couple of minutes, eat her food and then quickly return. When her babies are about 6 weeks old, the mother takes them to the other nest to protect them from the predators or infestation of insects in the wild. She cleans, nurses, and protects our babies throughout the next 2 months.
Baby squirrel’s development details:
When a squirrel’s baby is born, it is naked with a hairless body. It has no sense of sight or hearing. They nurse with the sense of smell and take comfort by clinging to their mothers.
After a week or two, their fur develops, and their skin darkens.
When they turn a month old, their ears and eyes open, and their fur further thickens. They keep feeding on their mother’s milk for the next month.
After they are about 2 months old, they become slightly independent and begin exploring their surroundings. They start eating tree bark and other materials since their teeth never stop growing.
Once they leave the nest, their mother still looks out for them secretly in the wild. This happens for a further two weeks.
After this, the squirrels become aware of their environment and find the food themselves.
During the age of 4 to 8 months, a squirrel’s milk teeth get replaced by permanent teeth.
When do the baby squirrels become adults?
The squirrels become independent to explore the world at about 2 months. After that, they explore and continue the same cycle as their ancestors. A squirrel becomes an adult quite early. Since squirrels don’t have a longer life span, they mature early in life.
A male squirrel matures and becomes a full-grown adult at about 10 months, whereas the female grows at about 7 months. The male and female, when fully mature, become ready for reproduction. A male squirrel’s sexual maturity may also depend on the presence of other males in the area. If there are other dominant squirrel males in the wild, this male squirrel might mature a little late. Also, the females will not mate if food is scarce or there are other threats in the wild.
Frequently Asked Questions:
How big is a squirrel’s nest?
A squirrel’s nest is big enough to hold 9 squirrels at a time; 8 babies and a mother. The nest is about 8 to 9 inches in diameter and is made to protect the babies well. The squirrels use twigs, branches, moss, leaves, and other materials from their environment to make their nests. They then use these nests for rest, sleep, hibernation, and reproduction. Mostly the nests are made in hollow spaces inside the trees for further protection.
Do all the baby squirrels survive?
About 25% of the baby squirrels survive in the first year of birth. They may die because of many reasons. If they have got to survive the first year of their life, they may also survive the coming years. In the first year, they are new to the wild and unfamiliar with the threats, so they are eaten by the predators. Once they live for a year, they know how to protect themselves in the wild.
Why do some baby squirrels die when they are born?
Some baby squirrels die once they are born because of early delivery. If the mother has not completed the whole time of delivery, the babies may not be wholly developed and may die once they are born. They become anemic, stop feeding on their mother, and their body temperature drops. Just after a couple of hours or days, they end up dying
Do squirrels eat their own younger ones?
Though squirrels are not the kind of animals that eat their babies, there can be times when a male squirrel may hunt on the babies. Although the female squirrel is always with the children, protecting them, on the days when the food is extremely scarce, the male squirrel may crawl up on a newborn squirrel’s nest and chew on the babies while the mother is away. Yet again, this hardly ever happens.
Can newborn baby squirrels carry diseases?
Yes, baby squirrels carry diseases like typhus, ringworm, and plague. Gray squirrels are known to have ‘Squirrel pox,’ a virus that is deadly for the other species of squirrels.
- Do squirrels eat their own younger ones?
