September 23, 2026, 3:15 pm | Read time: 3 minutes
Squirrels appear nimble, skillful, and almost indestructible. Yet, their first year of life is fraught with dangers: predators, scarce food, and lack of water mean that many young squirrels don’t even reach one year of age. PETBOOK explains the actual life expectancy of squirrels, why the first few months are so crucial, and how you can support these animals.
How Long Do Squirrels Live in the Wild?
In the wild, squirrels live about three years. Compared to other mammals, this is a relatively short lifespan. Most squirrels that reach three years likely had a lot of luck in their lives. Squirrels face numerous natural predators in the wild that can significantly shorten their lives.1, 2
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Why So Many Squirrels Don’t Survive Their First Year
In late December/early January, the mating season for squirrels begins. During this time, you can observe actual chases in the trees, where a female is pursued by several males for up to a few days. The female then selects a male for mating. After mating, they go their separate ways, and the female carries the young alone.
The gestation period can vary, usually lasting between 36 and 42 days. On average, four young are born in the squirrel’s nest. After birth, they remain with the mother for about ten weeks, during which she cares for them. However, they are not constantly safe in the nest. Predators like hawks and martens pose a constant threat to the animals.
When they are on their own and no longer living with their mother, the food supply also becomes a problem. Due to climate change, there are increasingly long dry periods during which squirrels find little usable food and, above all, no water sources. Animals living in urban environments face a similar problem. In cities, the supply is already sparse. This is especially noticeable when they prepare for winter and want to stock up on nuts and fruits. Many young squirrels, therefore, do not survive their first year.3
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Squirrels Contribute to a Balanced Ecosystem
Squirrels live in coniferous, deciduous, and mixed forests. In many European countries, they also inhabit urban areas. There, the animals play a crucial role in the health and renewal of our forests. Since they don’t find many of their buried supplies in the fall, the forgotten seeds and nuts begin to sprout in the spring. In this way, squirrels unintentionally contribute to the spread and growth of new trees and shrubs. They are therefore considered natural “forest gardeners.”
Additionally, they serve as a food source for numerous native predators, making them an important part of the food chain. Through their way of life, squirrels support biodiversity and the stability of the entire forest ecosystem.
Those who wish to support squirrels can offer water-filled bowls, nut-rich feeding stations (hazelnuts, walnuts, sunflower seeds), and untended tree areas in their garden or on their balcony. Leaving old trees standing also helps, as they provide natural nesting sites.4