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A drey is the nest of a tree squirrel, flying squirrel or ringtail possum. [1] Dreys are usually built of twigs, dry leaves, and grass, and typically assembled in the forks of a tall tree. [2] They are sometimes referred to as "drey nests" to distinguish them from squirrel "cavity nests" (also termed "dens").
They do not form a single natural, or monophyletic, group; they are variously related to others in the squirrel family, including ground squirrels, flying squirrels, marmots, and chipmunks. The defining characteristic used to determine which species of Sciuridae are tree squirrels is dependent on their habitat rather than their physiology .
Tree cavities created by woodpeckers as suitable nest sites tend to be more abundant in old-growth forests, and so do the squirrels, though harvested forests can be managed in ways that are likely to increase squirrel numbers. Nests may also be established in buildings, including parts of occupied homes. Except when rearing young, the squirrels ...
Southern fox squirrels prefer to live in longleaf pine savannas, but also live in pine or mixed pine forests. [6] These forests are woodland habitats with open understories and sparse vegetation. [4] Southern fox squirrels have two types of nests, leaf nests and den nests. [6]
Nests are also excavated from witches' broom – abnormally dense vegetative growth resulting from a rust disease – or cavities in the trunks of spruce, poplar, and walnut trees. American red squirrels rarely nest below ground. Each individual squirrel has several nests within its territory, and females with young move them between nests.
A western gray squirrel eating pine seeds from a pine cone. Squirrel nests are called dreys and can be seen in trees, built from sticks and leaves wrapped with long strands of grass. There are two stick nest types made by the western gray squirrel: the first is a large, round, covered shelter nest for winter use, birthing, and rearing young.
Douglas squirrels are active by day, throughout the year, often chattering noisily at intruders. On summer nights, they sleep in ball-shaped nests that they make in the trees, but in the winter they use holes in trees as nests. Groups of squirrels seen together during the summer are likely to be juveniles from a single litter.
Southern flying squirrels nest in natural cavities and woodpecker holes, [13] [17] [18] or build nest out of leaves and twigs. [13] [17] Leaf nests are used as a refuge or a resting site and are used primarily in summer, whereas cavities are used for breeding and more intensively during winter. [17]