Squirrel Facts: Mating and Birth

Spring is almost here, and soon our squirrel friends will be hearing the pitter-patter of tiny squirrel paws. Mating season for eastern gray squirrels actually takes place twice a year, from December-February, then again from June-August (or a little later for northern regions). So many of the female gray squirrels that you see are already carrying little ones!

The mating habits of eastern gray and other tree squirrels are anything but romantic. Squirrels most definitely do not mate for life. When a female squirrel becomes receptive, which lasts less than one day, her scent will attract males from as far away as 500 meters. The males will compete for the chance to mate with her, with the most dominant male copulating with her first. Other males may get to mate with her after he is finished. Once the act is completed, the males depart and have nothing more to do with the female or the young.

The gestation period for the eastern gray squirrel is about 45 days. Other tree squirrels have a similar gestation period, or slightly shorter for smaller species. The babies are born in a drey or, if one is available, in a cavity nest in a hollow tree. The litter will usually number from two to four babies but sometimes as many as eight, about one inch long and weighing around an ounce. The young are born naked except for whiskers, blind and deaf and completely helpless.

Newborn Baby Squirrels

The young are cared for in the nest by the mother until they are fully independent. Weaning takes place gradually from about seven to ten weeks of age. After the young are able to leave the nest, they will remain with the mother for several more weeks as they learn the skills that they will need in adulthood.



Beebz at about five weeks