The second starts in late afternoon and continues until dusk. Bad weather can change these regular patterns. Gray squirrels usually feed on only one or two types of food at a time. A list of important food sources for squirrels is shown on page 2. Nests And Dens.
Gray squirrels use leaf and twig nests as well as dens in tree cavities.
Leaf nests are temporary structures and are seldom used longer than one season. Dens are often used for many years. Dens offer protection from cold and wet weather and safety from predators. Tree dens are necessary to maintain high gray squirrel populations. The best gray squirrel habitat consists of mature, mixed oak and hickory forests.