As an avid squirrel enthusiast, I’m often asked: “Do squirrels come out at night?”. It’s a logical question since we typically see them scurrying about during daytime hours. But what do squirrels do once the sun goes down?

Most tree and ground squirrels sleep at night. Certain species of flying squirrels, on the other hand, become active during the night when the moon ascends in the sky.

In this blog post, I’ll share everything I know about squirrel behavior at night.

The Nighttime Habits of Tree and Ground Squirrels

Eastern gray, fox, and red squirrels, among others, adhere to a diurnal rhythm, implying that they are alert and active during daylight hours while engaging in rest and sleep during the night.

Ground squirrels such as chipmunks and prairie dogs also tend to be diurnal. These squirrels have poor night vision, so it’s safer for them to limit activity to daylight hours when they can see predators.

Just before dusk, diurnal squirrels will retreat to their nests, called dreys or dens. Tree squirrels build dreys high up in the branches using twigs, leaves, moss, and bark. Ground squirrels dig underground burrows with chambers for sleeping and storing food. Both nest types provide safety and warmth while these squirrels sleep.

On rare occasions, something may wake a tree or ground squirrel at night. They could leave the nest to patrol the area, snack on a food cache, or visit a water source. But overall, nighttime activity is uncommon.

Colder Weather

Squirrels don’t hibernate, but they do sleep for longer stretches during winter. In very cold weather, squirrels enter a state of torpor where their body temperature and metabolism drop. They won’t emerge from dreys or burrows until daytime temperatures rise unless they are dangerously hungry or thirsty.

Warmer Weather

On hot summer nights, squirrels may need to leave their nests if they get overheated. They may sprawl out on branches to cool down before returning to the nest in the early morning.

Artificial Lighting

Bright lights can also rouse squirrels at night. If their nest is lit up by a nearby porch light or streetlamp, they may abandon the nest temporarily. Like humans, they struggle to sleep with light shining on their faces.

The Nocturnal Behavior of Flying Squirrels

Unlike other squirrels, flying squirrels are nocturnal and sleep during the day. The two species found in North America are the northern flying squirrel and the southern flying squirrel.

Instead of building exposed dreys, flying squirrels nest in the cavities of tree trunks and branches. They also use abandoned woodpecker holes and manmade structures like attics or barns. These more enclosed spaces protect them from predators while they sleep.

Flying squirrels emerge about an hour after sunset and return a few hours before dawn. Under cover of darkness, they glide from tree to tree in search of food. Their diet includes seeds, nuts, berries, insects, and bird eggs. With excellent senses of smell and hearing, flying squirrels adeptly navigate the nighttime forest.

In winter, they may share nests for added warmth but do not hibernate. On cold nights, you may see several flying squirrels bundled up together in a tree cavity.

Glowing in the Dark

Scientists recently discovered that flying squirrels glow fluorescent pink under ultraviolet light. This unique feature may help flying squirrels spot each other at night or serve some other purpose not yet understood.

Nocturnal Behavior in Captivity

Squirrels kept as pets may become more active at night than their wild counterparts. With easy access to food and water inside a cage, they have no need to adhere to a strict daylight schedule. Pet squirrels often wake their owners at night with sounds of activity.

Outdoor squirrels may also lose their fear of darkness if they grow accustomed to humans. This could happen with a backyard squirrel used to being fed by its human neighbors. Under bright porch lights or streetlamps, the squirrel associates nighttime with safety and food instead of danger.

Signs of Nocturnal Squirrel Intruders

If you hear scratching and scampering in the walls or attic at night, suspect a flying squirrel invasion. Noises coming from underground are likely from tunneling moles or ground squirrels that dug their way inside.

Flying squirrels may try to nest in vacant spaces of a building for warmth and safety. Once inside, they can chew on electrical wires or cause other damage. It’s important to seal any exterior holes and cracks to prevent flying squirrels from moving in.

Nut Shells and Peanut Butter

You can confirm flying squirrel activity by looking for distinctive signs outdoors. Check the ground around oak and hickory trees for nut shells with small, clean-cut holes the work of flying squirrels. Or smear peanut butter on a branch to see if it gets eaten overnight.

Sounds and Sightings

Flying squirrels make high-pitched chirping noises to communicate at night. You may also hear them running across the roof or spot their eyeshine if you shine a flashlight up at the trees in your yard.

When Are Squirrels Most Active During Daytime?

Diurnal tree and ground squirrels follow a predictable daily routine. They wake up around sunrise and are most energetic in the morning right after emerging from the nest. You’ll see them busily searching for food and dashing up and down trees at this time.

Squirrel activity starts to taper off around noon when the day is hottest. They’ll take a siesta or nibble leisurely on snacks. Then in late afternoon until dusk, they are active again, stuffing their cheek pouches with food to stash back at the nest.

Squirrels tend to settle down as evening approaches, retreating to their nest well before the sun fully sets. If you want the best chance to see diurnal squirrels, spend time outdoors in the earlier daylight hours.

Why Squirrels Avoid Being Active at Night

Squirrels strongly prefer daytime activity because it is simply safer. Here are some key reasons most squirrels stay in the nest after dark:

Poor night vision – Squirrels have eyes adapted for daytime use.
Predator avoidance – Many predatory mammals and birds hunt at night when they have an advantage.
Navigation difficulties – It’s harder for squirrels to traverse trees and judge distances.
Energy conservation – Squirrels conserve energy by sleeping when it’s dark and cold.
Circadian rhythms – Squirrels’ internal clock keeps them awake during daylight.

Flying squirrels evolved excellent night vision and other sensory adaptations to take advantage of the nighttime when predators are less active. But most squirrels find it safest to lay low after dark.

What to Do About Nocturnal Squirrel Intrusions

If squirrels are causing a ruckus at night inside or outside your home, don’t simply trap and relocate them. Not only is this illegal in many states, but it’s dangerous and stressful for the relocated squirrels. They likely won’t survive being introduced to a new area already inhabited by other squirrels.

For a safe, effective solution, contact a professional wildlife control company. Here are some options they may use to remove squirrels without harming them:

Sealing entry points on the home exterior so squirrels can’t get back inside.
Using infrared lights or sounds to scare squirrels away.
Installing one-way exclusion doors on attic vents.
Removing any indoor nests and squirrel-proofing the property.

With their expert training and humane equipment, professionals can solve persistent squirrel problems once and for all.

Conclusion

To summarize, do squirrels come out at night? Most tree and ground squirrels are diurnal and sleep at night. Only flying squirrels are nocturnal and active once the sun goes down. On very rare occasions, non-flying squirrels might wake at night due to mating behaviors, weather extremes, or light disturbances.

If you think squirrels are causing trouble after dark, look for signs of flying squirrels, like nut shells with small holes. Noises under the house could mean tunneling ground squirrels. For severe squirrel issues, always turn to wildlife professionals for safe, lasting solutions.