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Squirrels & Wildlife

Where Do Squirrels Live and Sleep? Nests, Dens, and Winter

Squirrels build two distinct home types and switch between them by season. What a drey actually is, where they den in winter, and whether they hibernate.

By The Grow In Backyard Team 3 min read Save to Pinterest — opens Pinterest in a new tab
A squirrel's drey nest of leaves and twigs wedged in bare tree branches
Photo: Peter Trimming from Croydon, England, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
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Squirrels do not have one home — they build and maintain two different kinds, and which one is in use depends on the season and the weather.

Two nest types, two purposes

Drey versus tree cavity
DreyTree cavity
Made ofLeaves, twigs, bark stripsExisting hollow — not built
VisibleYes, especially once leaves fallNo, hidden inside the trunk
InsulationModerateMuch better
Main useWarm-weather shelter, raising youngWinter denning, severe weather
How manyOften several per squirrelFewer — depends on availability

A drey is what most people picture and actually see — a rough ball of leaves and twigs wedged into a fork of bare branches, most visible in autumn and winter once the tree has dropped its leaves. It is a real, functional nest, but it is also relatively exposed.

Multiple nests is normal, not a sign of a problem

It is common for a single squirrel to build and maintain several dreys across its territory, using different ones at different times or as backups if one is disturbed. Seeing more than one nest in nearby trees does not necessarily mean more than one squirrel.

Where they actually sleep in winter

Given the choice, squirrels prefer a tree cavity over a drey once cold weather sets in — a hollowed trunk or an abandoned woodpecker hole holds heat far better than a leaf nest exposed to wind. Where cavities are scarce, they will winter in a well-built drey instead, sometimes reinforced with extra material for the season.

They do not hibernate. Common tree squirrel species stay active through winter, drawing on the food they cached in autumn and reducing how much time they spend outside the nest during the coldest or stormiest stretches, rather than entering a dormant state the way some other mammals do.

What draws a resident population

Mature trees, particularly oaks and other nut producers, are the single biggest factor — they provide both food and nesting sites in one place. A yard with a few large mature trees will generally support a resident squirrel population; a yard with only young trees or none may see only occasional visitors passing through.

Water matters too, especially in drier climates — a birdbath or shallow dish adds real value.

Reduced broad-spectrum pesticide use preserves the insects and plant material squirrels forage on incidentally, alongside their primary diet of nuts and seeds.

If the goal is fewer squirrels around food crops rather than more squirrels overall, see will squirrels eat your garden for what is actually at risk and what reduces the pressure — removing mature trees is rarely the practical answer, and the trade-offs of trying are covered there.

Common questions

Do squirrels hibernate in winter?

Common tree squirrels — the species found in most US backyards — do not hibernate. They remain active year-round, relying on cached food and denning in tree cavities during the coldest stretches, though they do reduce activity and stay in the nest more during severe weather.

What is a squirrel nest called?

The leaf-and-twig nest visible high in a tree's bare branches is called a drey. It is a warm-weather structure used for raising young and for general shelter; it is less secure than a tree cavity and is not typically the primary winter shelter.

Do squirrels use the same nest all year?

Often not. Many squirrels maintain multiple dreys and shift toward tree cavities — hollow trunks or old woodpecker holes — for winter denning, since cavities offer better insulation and protection than an exposed leaf nest.

How do I attract squirrels to my yard if I want to see them?

Mature trees, especially oaks and other nut-bearing species, are the main draw, along with a reliable water source and reduced pesticide use that preserves natural forage. A dedicated feeder stocked with unsalted nuts also works, though it can increase pressure on nearby garden plants at the same time.

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