In urban areas, squirrels often find winter shelter in man-made structures like attics, garages, or sheds, where they can escape the cold and access human food sources if available. In contrast, rural squirrels typically rely on tree cavities or nests built high in branches, staying closer to natural food stores like nuts and seeds they've cached nearby. While both urban and rural squirrels remain active throughout winter, urban squirrels may have easier access to warmth and occasional food scraps from human activity.
So, do some types of squirrels hibernate? While some squirrels, such as ground squirrels, go into full hibernation during winter, other species, like eastern grey squirrels and red squirrels, stay active throughout the colder months.
Instead of hibernating, tree squirrels rely on food caches they’ve stored up and build sturdy nests in trees or attics to stay warm.
During the winter, a squirrel’s body temperature stays relatively high, which helps them remain alert and able to retrieve food on milder days. In contrast, animals that do hibernate, like ground squirrels, enter a deep sleep, conserving energy until the warmer seasons return. Humans often see these squirrels foraging near trees or around their properties.
If you’re noticing increased squirrel activity during winter, it’s likely they’re using caches they’ve hidden for survival. Brampton Wildlife Control has services to squirrel-proof your home that lasts years to keep squirrels out.
Local Tree Squirrels and Their Winter Strategies
Local tree squirrels in Brampton, such as the Eastern Grey Squirrels (Sciurus carolinensis), use several methods to withstand the cold winter months. Unlike some other animals, these squirrels do not fully hibernate; rather, they enter a lighter torpid state, slowing their activities to conserve energy, especially when air temperatures drop significantly. Red squirrels and the less common flying squirrels also live in the area, each adapting with unique winter strategies. For instance, they build secure squirrel's nests in tall pine trees or other sheltered locations to stay warm. These squirrels tend to rely on food caches, stored nuts, and other reserves to survive through extended periods of freezing temperatures, emerging occasionally to retrieve supplies in harsh weather conditions.
Preparation and Food Storage
During summer and fall, Brampton's squirrels enter a crucial preparation phase. In the warm weather of summer, food is plentiful for squirrels living in Brampton. Between the smelly garbage pails, the bird feeders, pet food left outside, and of course all the fruits and vegetables on the ground. As winter approaches, these small animals will eat a lot and increase their food consumption to build up body fat and fat reserves that will help them stay warm when freezing temperatures arrive. More importantly, squirrels survive by engaging in extensive storing food activities, creating multiple food caches throughout their territory that will sustain them in the cold months.
These resourceful creatures dig many a shallow hole to store nuts and other provisions to eat later on, often in parks and residential yards. This strategy of scattered food caches helps protect their winter sustenance from predators and ensures that if they forget some locations, they'll still have enough to survive.
Nesting and Shelter
As cold weather sets in, squirrels prepare their winter homes. They build primary tree nests (dreys) in tall tree locations, typically choosing hardwood trees for superior protection. These warm nesting sites are crucial for maintaining proper body temperature during the colder months. In urban Brampton, squirrels often find additional shelter opportunities in human structures, though this can sometimes lead to conflicts with homeowners who need to protect entry points to their buildings.
A mother squirrel is particularly strategic in choosing her winter shelter, often selecting locations in mature neighbourhoods with established tree canopies. A well-built nest helps them maintain optimal body mass through the winter and provides a safe place for the eventual breeding season that follows. A warm and protected nesting site up off the ground will help ensure that her baby squirrels live, and keep them safe from predators.
Winter Activity Patterns
During mild winters in Southern Ontario, Brampton's squirrels generally stay active, keeping to their regular routines. However, as winter approaches and temperatures drop, they adjust by entering a lighter torpid state to conserve energy while avoiding full hibernation. During colder months when the air temperature drops for long periods, they spend all their time within their nests to stay warm and rely on food they've stored in caches, making only brief excursions to retrieve these supplies.
Urban Adaptation and Human Interaction
The presence of humans in Brampton has significantly influenced squirrel behaviour. Urban squirrels have adapted to take advantage of artificial food sources and shelter opportunities. During late summer and early fall, they're particularly visible as they prepare for winter, often seen around parks and residential areas gathering materials for their tree nest.
Conservation and Management
Although numerous squirrel species adapt remarkably well to urban winter conditions, they face significant challenges such as habitat loss, human interference, and threats from other diseases. Brampton's parks, with their mature pine and hardwood trees, are vital as they offer both food and shelter to help these resilient animals survive. For species like gray squirrels and red squirrels, these trees provide essential nesting sites and resources, allowing them to store food and maintain body fat during colder months. However, ongoing urban development means that squirrels must frequently modify their behaviours, adjusting where they forage, nest, and even how they interact with humans to survive in their ever-changing environment.
Winter Squirrel Survival Tips for Brampton Residents:
Let's face it, no one wants to harm wildlife or see an them suffer so letting squirrels do their thing on your property even if doing so might cause you issues if they enter your attic. Don't put off hiring a squirrel removal service or feel bad about evicting squirrels in the winter as these capable animals keep multiple den sites and can hunker down outside until the find another attic.
If you wait until spring to get rid of your squirrels, it will be baby season and harder to deal with. Just remember to hire a pro to get it done right the first time.
Avoid interfering with natural food caches
Maintain safe distances from winter nests
Consider leaving some fallen nuts in place during fall
Report injured squirrels to appropriate wildlife authorities
Ensure home maintenance to prevent unwanted winter guests (clean gutters, trim tree branches)
Through understanding and respecting these urban wildlife neighbours, Brampton residents can help ensure their continued survival through the winter months and beyond.
Conclusion
Brampton's squirrels showcase remarkable adaptability in facing winter challenges. Through a combination of careful preparation, strategic food storage, and clever use of urban resources, they've mastered the art of winter survival in our city. Whether in extensive park systems or residential neighbourhoods, these fascinating creatures remain an integral part of Brampton's urban wildlife, active to some degree even in the coldest months.
