Squirrels have an average lifespan of three to five years.
Finding squirrels is not an arduous task, whether you want to hunt them for food and sport or observe the animals in their natural habitat. The gray squirrel is a type of tree squirrel and the most common variety in the United States. Squirrels use their long, bushy tails to help balance, provide shade or shelter from heat or rain, keep warm and to communicate with others. They are small and cute but have sharp teeth and claws. Squirrels will bite or scratch humans if they feel threatened. Does this Spark an idea?
Instructions
1. Look for red squirrels or Douglas squirrels in coniferous forests. They feed on spruce, pine and fir tree cones and seeds.
2. Observe gray squirrels near trash cans or anywhere else they may feed on human table scraps. They also eat seeds, fruit and cones from trees. Oak trees provide acorns for the squirrels so they are often in or near these trees.
3. Explore cavities of mature trees during the winter months. Many tree squirrels live inside the cavities to find warmth during cold weather.
4. Look for ground squirrels in areas disturbed by humans. They are often seen in grazed farmlands, along fence rows, near buildings or crops and ditches.
5. Spot ground squirrels within a 75-square-yard radius of their burrow. Holes in the ground that are approximately 4 inches or larger in diameter indicate this type of burrow. The burrow can be up to 30 feet in length and 4 feet deep.
6. Visit the areas where you hope to find squirrels in the daytime. Most rodents, such as rats, mice and raccoons, are active at night, but squirrels are most active during the day, according to the Backyard Nature website. In the summer, squirrels come out in the coolest parts of the day, such as early morning and the evening. During cold weather, they are active in the afternoon sun.
Tags: cold weather, ground squirrels