- Characteristics of the squirrel
- Hibernation or hibernation?
- Do squirrels hibernate or hibernate?
- Feeding the squirrels
- frequently asked Questions
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Who doesn't love to see whimsical little squirrels running around and hiding nuts in the fall? But what do rodents actually do in winter? Do squirrels hibernate or hibernate? We clarify.
Characteristics of the squirrel
Red squirrels (Sciurus vulgaris) live almost all over Europe and prefer to stay in trees of coniferous, deciduous and mixed forests. As a cultural successor to humans, however, they are also increasingly populating cities, where they are mainly found in parks or gardens. They can be recognized by the following characteristics:
- light red to brown-black fur
- bushy tail
- brush ears
- up to 40 cm long
- omnivore
- diurnal
Squirrels prefer to live in coniferous, deciduous and mixed forests.
Hibernation or hibernation?
In order to safely survive the cold season, living beings have developed various strategies. Not all animals hibernate like squirrels, some do hibernate. The two tactics can be distinguished as follows:
| hibernation | hibernation |
|---|---|
| eat up winter fat in the fall | no winter bacon |
| restrict activity and energy requirements enormously | restrict activity and energy requirements |
| very few active phases | more active periods |
| shutting down the metabolism | shutting down the metabolism |
| drastically reduced heartbeat | slower heartbeat than normal |
| Shutting down body temperature | constant body temperature |
| no food needed | little food needed |
| usually don't wake up | wake up daily/several times a week |
| Examples: bats, dormice, marmots | Examples: badger, raccoon, brown bear |
Do squirrels hibernate or hibernate?
In winter, the otherwise very active creatures retreat. Squirrels cannot shut down their bodies enough to hibernate. So they just hibernate. Winter dormancy begins when temperatures turn frosty, usually in November. It lasts accordingly until it gets milder again, usually in January or February. When the days get colder again, the rodents retreat again. During the hibernation, the squirrels stay in their waterproof, warm nests, called Kobel. They only leave the nest for about 1-2 hours a day foraging. Squirrels have accumulated food over the year and buried it in the ground or hidden it in cracks in trees.
The squirrels spend most of their hibernation in the roost.
notice: When the weather is very unfavorable, such as during a storm, the squirrels sometimes don't leave their dens for days.
Feeding the squirrels
In their natural habitat, squirrels usually find a wide range of food. In this way they can stock up sufficiently. It is therefore actually not necessary to provide the small rodents in this area with additional food during the hibernation. A natural garden design is sufficient. Exceptions are extremely long winters or a poor supply of food due to very hot summers. In cities, on the other hand, the supply is usually limited, which is why the squirrels are dependent on additional food, especially during the hibernation. The following food is best suited for this:
- walnuts
- hazelnuts
- almonds
- sunflower seeds
- Dried Corn
- a bowl of water
To support squirrels during hibernation, you can put out food.
tip: Always put the food in the same place, even if it is left for several days. If necessary, the squirrel then knows where to find food
frequently asked Questions
How do squirrels find hidden food?The reason for finding food is the squirrel's excellent sense of smell. With this they can find food even through a blanket of snow. The squirrels' sense of direction, which is often assumed, plays no role.
Will the squirrels recover all of their food?No, some hiding places usually remain undetected. The buried seeds then germinate in spring and give rise to new trees. In this way, the squirrels contribute to the spread of the tree population.
What to do if I find an injured squirrel in winter?First, observe whether the animal really needs your help. If it is unable to help itself, gently pick it up with a towel, place it in a box and keep warm. Then contact squirrel emergency services, a wildlife control center, veterinarian, or animal shelter immediately. They will give you further instructions