Squirrel Facts for Kids

Quick facts for kids Squirrel

Eastern Gray Squirrel, Sciurus carolinensis
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Mammalia
Order:	Rodentia
Family:	Sciuridae

A cute Red squirrel

Some squirrels are black, like this Eastern gray squirrel.

Squirrels are small, furry animals that belong to the rodent family. They are known for their bushy tails and quick movements. You can find squirrels almost everywhere in the world, except for very cold places like the North and South Poles or super dry deserts.

These amazing creatures live in many different places, from thick rainforests to dry areas. They mostly eat plants, like seeds and nuts. But some squirrels also enjoy eating insects or even tiny animals.

What Makes a Squirrel Special?
Squirrel Life Cycle and Behavior
- What Do Squirrels Eat?
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What Makes a Squirrel Special?

Reaching out for food, this squirrel can turn its back feet to climb down trees head-first.

The skull of a giant squirrel.

Squirrels come in many sizes. The smallest ones, like the African pygmy squirrel, are only about 10 to 14 centimeters long. They weigh as little as 12 to 26 grams, which is super light! The biggest squirrels, like some marmots, can be over 1 meter long and weigh 8 kilograms or more.

Most squirrels have slim bodies, big eyes, and those famous bushy tails. Their fur is usually soft and silky, but it can be thicker on some types of squirrels. Their fur color can change a lot, even within the same squirrel family.

Squirrels have longer back legs than front legs. They usually have four or five toes on each paw. Their paws have soft pads and strong claws, which help them grip things and climb trees. Tree squirrels are special because they can climb down a tree head-first! They do this by turning their ankles 180 degrees, so their back paws can point backward and hold onto the tree bark.

Squirrels have excellent eyesight, which is very important for those that live in trees. Many also have a good sense of touch, using their whiskers on their faces and legs to feel around.

Their teeth are like other rodents. They have big front teeth called incisors that keep growing throughout their lives. These are perfect for gnawing on nuts. They also have a gap between their front teeth and their back teeth, which are used for grinding food.

Many young squirrels don't survive their first year. Adult squirrels can live for 5 to 10 years in the wild. Some can even live 10 to 20 years if they are cared for by humans.

Squirrel Life Cycle and Behavior

Young squirrels in their nest.

Squirrels usually have babies once or twice a year. After being pregnant for three to six weeks, the mother squirrel gives birth to a litter of young. The babies are born without fur, teeth, or the ability to see.

In most squirrel types, only the mother takes care of the young. She feeds them milk until they are about six to ten weeks old. They become old enough to have their own babies by the end of their first year.

Squirrels that live on the ground often live together in groups, like a big family. But squirrels that live in trees usually prefer to be alone.

Most ground squirrels and tree squirrels are active during the day or around sunrise and sunset. However, flying squirrels are usually active at night.

What Do Squirrels Eat?

A squirrel eating a fruit in Tanzania.

Squirrels need foods rich in protein, carbohydrates, and fats. They can't digest cellulose, which is a part of many plants.

In spring, it can be hard for squirrels to find food. The nuts they buried might start to grow, so they can't eat them anymore. Also, many new foods haven't grown yet. During these times, squirrels often eat tree buds.

Squirrels are mostly plant-eaters. They enjoy a wide range of plants, including nuts, seeds, conifer cones, fruits, fungi, and green leaves. But when they are really hungry, some squirrels will eat meat. They have been seen eating small birds, young snakes, and even smaller rodents. They also eat bird eggs and insects. Some squirrels in tropical areas mostly eat insects.

A squirrel digging in the grass.

Some ground squirrels have even been seen hunting. For example, the thirteen-lined ground squirrel has been observed eating young chickens and snakes. Other squirrels, like the white-tailed antelope squirrel, have been found to eat lizards and rodents.