Female squirrels will typically create an average of four or five nest sites within the geographic range of their primary nest throughout the year. If the mother feels one nest is no longer safe, she will move to an alternative nesting site with her young.

Do squirrels build multiple nests?

Both Eastern and Western gray squirrels build nests for sleeping. Adults may rotate between as many as three nests, depending on the population density where they live. These nests are usually occupied either by a single adult squirrel or by a mother and her young.

Do squirrels come back to the same nest?

Squirrels are creatures of habit and are not as selective as other warm-blooded mammals in the rodent family. Squirrels usually have no problems returning to previous nests they have built and reuse them.