Why Squirrels Need Rain

Squirrels are a type of mammal, and they need proper food, water and shelter to survive. A key component in each of these is rain. Without adequate rain, a squirrel's habitat and family can be destroyed. Without a suitable environment with enough food and rain, squirrels may move into human dwellings, like attics, chimneys and barns and create a mess for whoever might live there.

  1. Habitat

    • Different types of squirrels prefer different types of trees, but they all nest and live in trees. The best place for a squirrel to nest is in a tree cavity, although when the trees aren't old enough or don't have enough cavities to suit the squirrel population, the squirrels will build leaf nests. During warm months, a pair of squirrels might use up to three leaf nests. These will not hold up in the winter though, so they must find tree cavities or dens.

    Water for Drinking

    • Squirrels, like other mammals, need to drink water to survive. However, because of their diet and size, squirrels don't necessarily need rain all the time for drinking. They can get sufficient water from berries or dew.

    Growth for Plants

    • Squirrels eat wild tree fruits and berries in cold months and tree buds in the spring. In warm months, squirrels may eat fruits, berries, fungi and corn. When food is scarce, squirrels may eat tree bark. All of these plants need rainwater to grow and produce food for squirrels and other animals.

    Growth for Trees (Shelter)

    • Since squirrels live and find a majority of their food in trees, they need the trees for survival. Trees, like other plants, need water to survive. The safest trees for squirrels are very old ones with lots of cavities to live and hide in. These trees require consistent periods of rain over many years.