1. Nest Up: Squirrels spend much of the winter in their nests, called dreys. These are typically made of leaves, twigs, and other natural materials, and are often located in tree cavities, abandoned birdhouses, or even attics!
2. Food Storage: The key to surviving winter is having enough food. Squirrels are known for burying nuts and seeds in the fall, creating caches to eat throughout the colder months. They have an incredible memory and can often find their hidden stashes even under the snow!
3. Reduce Activity: While squirrels don't hibernate completely, they do become less active in the winter. They spend more time resting in their dreys, only venturing out to find food when necessary.
4. Body Fat: Squirrels also store extra body fat in the fall to help them through the colder months. This fat provides them with the energy they need to survive when food is scarce.
So, the short answer is, squirrels stay in their territory and use a combination of food storage, nest building, and reduced activity to survive the winter.