Squirrels are climbing artists and prove to be true building specialists. They don't just build one nest but several homes in order to be prepared for different situations. However, it is not difficult to build a nest out of wood yourself.
What do squirrel nests look like and where are they built?
Squirrels build their nests, also called kobels, from twigs and leaves in tree hollows or on forks of branches. The spherical kobels have two loopholes and are lined with moss, leaves and feathers to provide the animals with protection and comfort.
Lifestyle
Squirrels are active during the day and are very good climbers and spend most of their time in the treetops. Squirrels only come to the ground to look for food. The rodents feed mainly on seeds, nuts, fruits and parts of plants. It also happens that squirrels live a predatory lifestyle and eat meaty food. The animals build their nests, which are called Kobel or Kogel, in tree hollows or forks in branches.
Excursus
Mating and gestation period
Squirrels can give birth up to twice a year. The first litter usually occurs between March and April, while the second litter is born between May and August. The first attempts at approach by the males can be observed from the end of January. If there are not enough food resources to raise young, the first mating can be omitted. Females give birth after a gestation period of 38 days. During this phase they have increased energy requirements.
Kobelbau
It takes between three and five days for squirrels to complete their nest. Sometimes they also accept abandoned bird nests from hawks or magpies, which are then converted. A kobel can have a diameter between 30 and 50 centimeters. The interior is slightly smaller and 15 to 20 centimeters wide in diameter.
This is what the nest looks like:
- spherical building with two loopholes
- assembled from branches and leaves
- upholstered inside with moss, leaves and feathers
Function of the Kobel
The nest serves as a waterproof and wind-protected retreat for the animals in summer and winter. Two loopholes are necessary so that squirrels can escape in case of danger. If the main entrance is besieged by a robber, the rodents can escape through the back exit, which always faces downwards.
In addition to a main nest, squirrels build many other secondary nests. Squirrels temporarily seek protection in these so-called shadow nests. These kobels are simpler in structure than the main nest. The rodents also set up so-called emergency nests. These are used if the main cable is dirty due to birth or if it is no longer sufficiently secure.
Instructions for building yourself
Building a Kobel doesn't require much specialist knowledge. With the following building instructions you can build a simple model that offers the squirrel enough space to raise its young.
Building a squirrel nest yourself is not difficult
Tip
You can adapt the building instructions as you wish. If you cut the side walls at an angle, the roof will later lie at an angle and ensure better water drainage.
Material required:
- Wood panels
- Nails or screws
- Screwdriver or cordless screwdriver
- Pencil, compass and ruler
- Jigsaw
What you should pay attention to
Use materials that do not pose any he alth risks to animals or the environment. The wood should be untreated. Softwoods such as maple, beech and pine are ideal. The wood is ideally 1.5 centimeters thick. Depending on what type of wood you use, the material must be treated with a glaze.
| Advantages | Disadvantages | |
|---|---|---|
| Beech | durable and very firm | heavy, prone to cracking |
| Maple | durable, easy to process | not weatherproof |
| Pine | light weight, cheap | not weatherproof |
Instructions
Draw the outlines for the components on the wood and saw them out with a jigsaw. Then mark the holes on two side walls with a compass. The rear loophole should be lower than the front entrance. The roof plate is slightly longer than the base plate so that it protrudes slightly above the box. All components are assembled into a box using nails or screws.
Dimensions for the components:
- Base area: 26 x 26 centimeters
- Side walls: four panels, each 26 x 30 centimeters
- Roof panel: 30 x 26 centimeters
- loopholes: diameter of seven centimeters
Lasur
To better protect the Kobel from the effects of the weather, you should treat the wood with an environmentally friendly glaze (€28.00 at Amazon) before assembly. There are various natural products that are ideal for impregnating wood.
Oily substances are applied several times in thin layers until a water-repellent film is created on the wood. Solid substances are less absorbed into the wood. After hardening, they form a protective layer on the wood. The drying times for the glazes vary. Linseed oil dries completely after about a week at a temperature of 20 degrees Celsius, whereas resin oil dries after 24 hours.
| Advantages | Disadvantages | |
|---|---|---|
| Resin oil | dries quickly, doesn't get greasy | expensive |
| linseed oil | penetrates the pores | old glazes become sticky |
| Beeswax | Wood remains breathable | low durability |
The more natural the better
Interior
After assembling the house, you can line it yourself with moss, pieces of bark, feathers and leaves, or leave the interior to the squirrels. But remember that rodents lie on fabrics. It is not uncommon for climbing artists to use clotheslines and items of clothing disappear without a trace.
Tip
Cut old fabrics such as fleece blankets, bed linen or jute sacks into pieces approximately 20 x 20 centimeters in size and offer them in a basket.
Ideal places for the nest
Squirrels prefer to live at lofty heights. It happens that the rodents build their nests under the roof. They feel comfortable in treetops that are at least ten meters high. Feeding points attract the animals to lower altitudes. However, there are dangers lurking here, such as martens or cats, which can be dangerous to the squirrels.
Squirrels prefer lofty heights and the crowns of deciduous trees. Here they are safe from predators and if danger threatens, they can escape through the branches.
Hang up furniture
Hang the house on a tree as tall as possible. A minimum height of five meters is ideal. The higher you can hang the kobel, the more comfortable the animals will feel. Avoid attaching anything to the house. Adult animals can climb rough house facades, but their offspring are easily endangered. Young animals cannot yet hold on sufficiently and easily fall out of the nest.
How to hang the Kobel correctly:
- close to the main trunk
- ideally in a fork of a branch
- slightly tilted forward so that no rain flows into the main hole
- just before the mating seasons in winter and spring
Attracting Tips
If the squirrels don't settle in your garden on their own, you can help a little and attract the rodents. Offer the climbers a varied range of food. In summer this consists of leaves, shoots and buds. Provide mainly shelled nuts. Shortly before winter, replace these with nuts with shells. Squirrels collect the delicacies and bring them to their hiding places, which the animals feed on in winter.
This is what squirrels like:
- Acorns, beechnuts, chestnuts
- Dried fruit, carrots and corn in small quantities
- Walnuts and hazelnuts
Avoid dangers
Remember to make your yard safe for squirrels. Cover open rain barrels or provide an exit aid as squirrels can easily fall into the water while trying to drink. Hang a branch in the bin that the animals can hold on to and climb out.
Frequently asked questions
What is the name of the squirrel's nest?
The technical term for the squirrel's nest is Kobel. The term Kogel can occasionally be found.
Where does the squirrel build its nest?
The rodents either use abandoned bird nests to form a spherical nest, or they find branches themselves and build a cob from them. The nests are placed in treetops. Occasionally they also build their Kobel under the roof.
How long do squirrels stay in the nest?
The young leave the nest for the first time after six weeks. Until then, they are dependent on their mother's protection and care. They feed on their mother's milk until they are eight to ten weeks old. Only then do the young animals go looking for food themselves.
Who builds the nest?
Squirrels are mainly solitary animals and meet each other during mating season. Therefore, males and females each build their own nests for resting and sleeping. The female is responsible for building the main nest in which the young are born.
What to do if a squirrel fell out of the nest?
Get an overview of the situation and try to find out if the squirrel is injured. Abandoned young animals need help because they have not yet developed a strong coat and can easily freeze or starve. There are some emergency call centers you can contact. Nature conservation organizations such as Nabu and LBV are also contacts if a squirrel is in distress.
Should I remove the nest in winter?
To prevent parasites from spreading, the cave should be cleaned twice a year. If there are young in the nest, they must not be disturbed. Even in winter, you should not open the cob because then the animals retreat to their nests to hibernate. Wait until the young and mother have left the nest. Clean the house with hot water only.