Food Storage:
* Gathering nuts and seeds: They spend the summer and fall collecting nuts, acorns, seeds, and other food sources, often burying them in numerous locations.
* Caching: They use their exceptional memory to remember where they buried their treasures, allowing them to retrieve them throughout the winter when food is scarce.
* Building larders: Some squirrels create special "larders" – hidden caches within their nests or burrows – for their food stores.
Nesting and Shelter:
* Finding a suitable den: Squirrels use hollow trees, abandoned burrows, or even attics as their winter shelters.
* Nest building: They line their nests with soft materials like leaves, grasses, and feathers for insulation and warmth.
* Creating multiple nests: Many squirrels build multiple nests for greater security and to avoid attracting predators.
Physical Adaptations:
* Growing a thicker coat: Their fur becomes thicker and denser to provide extra insulation against the cold.
* Storing fat reserves: Squirrels increase their body fat reserves to provide energy during the winter months when food is scarce.
* Reducing activity: They become less active during the winter, spending more time resting and conserving energy.
Behavioral Changes:
* Becoming more solitary: Squirrels tend to be more solitary in winter, as competition for food and shelter intensifies.
* Becoming more cautious: They are more alert to predators and environmental hazards, given the reduced availability of food and the harsh winter conditions.
Important Note:
Not all squirrels hibernate. While some species, like the Eastern Gray Squirrel, may become less active in winter and rely more on their stored food, they don't enter a true hibernation state.