Squirrels are often regarded as playful, acrobatic creatures that dart through trees and scurry across our lawns. While many people find these little mammals charming, there are several misconceptions surrounding their behavior and habits. Let’s explore some of the most common myths about squirrels and set the record straight.
Squirrels Hoard All the Nuts They Find
One of the most widespread beliefs is that squirrels obsessively hoard every nut they come across. While it’s true that squirrels do store food for the winter, their primary method of survival involves creating caches of food in multiple locations, a behavior known as "scatter hoarding." However, squirrels don’t store every nut they find. In fact, they are often selective, only hoarding those they believe will grow into trees or plants later on. In the winter, squirrels rely on these stored supplies, but they also forage when needed.
Squirrels Are Only Active in the Winter to Gather Food
Many people believe that squirrels are only active during the colder months to gather food for winter. While it’s true that they are busier in the autumn, squirrels are active year-round. They spend their time in spring and summer foraging, nesting, and even breeding. In the colder months, they enter a period of reduced activity, sometimes referred to as "torpor," but they don’t hibernate. Instead, they stay in their nests, waiting for the weather to warm up.
Squirrels Only Eat Nuts
Squirrels are often depicted as eating only nuts, but their diet is much more diverse. While they certainly enjoy acorns and other tree seeds, squirrels also eat fruit, fungi, buds, flowers, and even small insects or bird eggs on occasion. Some species of squirrels, such as the tree squirrel, may even nibble on bark. Their ability to adapt their diet based on what’s available in their environment helps them thrive in both urban and rural areas.
Squirrels Are a Nuisance in Urban Areas
While squirrels in urban areas are often seen as pests—raiding bird feeders, gnawing on electrical wires, or rummaging through garbage—they aren’t intentionally causing chaos. They are simply doing what comes naturally: foraging for food and creating homes. Squirrels are extremely resourceful and will take advantage of whatever is available to them in their surroundings. Though they can cause damage, they also play important ecological roles, such as dispersing seeds, which can help maintain the health of local plant life.
Squirrels Are Excellent Climbers Because They Are Naturally Agile
While squirrels are indeed nimble and capable climbers, their agility is the result of their evolutionary adaptations, not a natural ability. Their bushy tails help them balance as they zip through trees, while their claws are specialized for gripping onto tree bark and other surfaces. Their unique anatomy, combined with their determination, makes them exceptional at navigating vertical spaces. However, squirrels are not born knowing how to climb—they learn this skill from their mothers as they grow.
Squirrels Are Not Social Animals
Contrary to popular belief, squirrels are not as solitary as many think. While they do spend time alone foraging and nesting, squirrels are social animals, especially during their mating seasons. They use various vocalizations to communicate with one another and often establish territories with clear boundaries. Eastern gray squirrels, for instance, are known to create loose-knit social groups, where individuals share nesting sites and even help one another care for young.
Squirrels Are Always Looking to "Steal" Food
It's easy to view squirrels as little thieves, especially when they leap onto your porch to snatch a bird seed or raid your garden. However, squirrels are opportunistic feeders, not thieves. They don’t have an agenda to steal food from humans but rather act on impulse when they spot an easy food source. If squirrels are stealing from your bird feeder or garden, it’s because they have learned that these areas provide reliable food.
Squirrels Don't Have Predators
Although squirrels have few natural predators, they are not invincible. Hawks, owls, foxes, snakes, and even some domestic cats and dogs can pose a threat to them. Furthermore, squirrels must be cautious of other dangers, including cars, harsh weather, and human-made obstacles. Squirrels’ ability to quickly adapt to their environment helps them avoid many threats, but they still face challenges in the wild.
Squirrels Will Always Return to the Same Nest
Squirrels do return to the same areas or trees, but they don’t always use the same nest. Unlike some animals that use the same home year after year, squirrels will often build multiple nests, or "dreys," throughout their territory. This provides them with safety, protection, and flexibility. If their nest is disturbed or compromised, they will build a new one in a different location.
Squirrels Are Not Intelligent
Many people underestimate the intelligence of squirrels, but these creatures are surprisingly clever. Squirrels have excellent problem-solving abilities, which they use to navigate obstacles and find food. They are known to memorize the locations of their food caches, recognize familiar human faces, and even alter their behavior if they notice a predator nearby. Squirrels' ability to adapt to urban environments showcases their intelligence in adjusting to new challenges.
While squirrels are often misunderstood, they are fascinating creatures with unique behaviors and characteristics. They play essential roles in ecosystems and demonstrate remarkable intelligence and adaptability. By clearing up these common misconceptions, we can gain a better understanding of these delightful animals and appreciate the important role they play in nature.