The roost is an important place in a squirrel's life. Often several dwellings are built, which is related to the way of life of the animals. You can build such a nest yourself and offer it to the climbers in the garden.

Squirrels don't just use the roost to raise their young

Table of Contents

Show all
  1. the essentials in brief
  2. Squirrels build nests
  3. habitat wanted
  4. Buy Kobel
  5. Build your own coop
  6. Align and hang
  7. frequently asked Questions

    8. the essentials in brief

    • Kobel usually sit on branch forks, consist of leaves, branches and twigs are up to 50cm wide
    • Inside, the squirrel nests are padded with moss, leaves, grass, bark and feathers
    • Kobel are used to raise the young and as a place to sleep
    • Squirrels also like rooks built by humans

    Squirrels build nests

    The squirrel's nest is a hollow spherical structure, often placed in the fork of a branch or at the base of a branch. They are at heights of more than six meters. Squirrels usually enter their dwelling from below, which is why a loophole points downwards.

    The Kobel have two loopholes, so that the animals can fly out of the second opening in case of danger or a siege of an entrance. After three to five days a Kobel is finished. Squirrels build multiple nests because they serve different functions.

    Brief overview:

    • outer diameter: about 30 to 50 centimeters
    • inner diameter: about 15 to 20 centimeters
    • base material: twigs, needles and leaves
    • interior design: moss, leaves, grass, pieces of bark, feathers
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    young rearing

    After a gestation period of 38 days, the females give birth to one to six young in the main pen. It is quite common for the nest to be infested with parasites. Therefore, the mothers move more frequently, so that their two to eight nests are used almost simultaneously. In case of danger, the females react very quickly. They carry their young away in the so-called carrying rigidity in order to bring them to a safe alternative crate.

    digression

    development of the boys

    The young are deaf, blind and completely naked at birth. They weigh about 8.5 grams and are six centimeters long. It takes three weeks for the first fluff to appear. They only open their eyes after 30 to 32 days.

    At the age of six to eight weeks, the little ones go exploring for the first time and leave the nest. The mother nurses her offspring until they are ten weeks old. Nevertheless, young animals remain in the vicinity of the maternal burrow for a few more months.

    sleeping place

    When the young have left the nest, the roosts do not become useless. They continue to be used by the animals, because this is where squirrels nap and sleep at night. However, different nests are used during the day and at night. The daily rest periods are held in the shade huts, while other sleeping huts are used for the night.

    hibernation

    The Kobel is built in such a way that hardly any water can penetrate into the interior. The nests have a thick wall and are well padded on the inside, so they offer good protection against the cold in winter. So that the animals do not cool down, they snuggle up in their bushy tails.

    body temperature food intake in winter animals
    hibernation sinks no hedgehog, bat
    hibernation sinks no lizards, snails
    hibernation remains the same Yes Raccoon, Brown Bear

    In winter, squirrels hibernate in the roost

    social behavior

    As a rule, squirrels are loners, so each animal uses its own roost. They only meet at mating season. Occasionally it happens that the rodents also live socially outside the breeding season and several animals use the same nest. It could also be observed that squirrels take care of sick conspecifics.

    habitat wanted

    Since the natural habitats of these climbers are being destroyed more and more, the animals are looking for alternatives. This pushes them into urban areas, where squirrels make their home in gardens and parks. It is not uncommon for the animals to build a nest on the balcony. You should not remove this to protect the animals.

    maintain respect

    Carefully examine flower pots with dead plants from the previous year. Squirrels like to use the coarse plant material to build a nest in the shelter of the window box. It even happens that the animals settle under blankets, pillows and cushions. Disturb the squirrels as little as possible. Since the animals are very clean, the mother will soon move to an alternative nest with her offspring.

    Squirrels can quickly become trusting. Make sure that the animals don't get used to being too close to people.

    What to do if the nest was accidentally destroyed?

    In this case you can form a replacement nest. Take an old towel and place the hatchlings in it. The mother is not bothered by the human smell that is in the fur of the cubs. Put a hot water bottle under the towel nest, because the young cool down very quickly. When the mother finds her offspring in the spare nest, she will place each cub individually in a spare pen.

    Buy Kobel

    If you want to provide the animals with a safe shelter, you can buy a ready-made house. However, the products do not always keep what they promise and so that both you and the rodents are happy, you should consider a few aspects when making your purchase decision.

    Pay attention to what?

    Many dwellings look beautiful because they are painted in different colors. However, such coatings harbor health risks. The better choice are models made of untreated materials. Even if water should penetrate later, natural wood is better suited. It can breathe and automatically ensures that moisture can escape again. Impregnated Kobel are completely unsuitable.

    suitable not suitable
    material softwoods metal, plastic
    inputs two or three openings a loophole
    glaze Linseed oil, resin oil, beeswax chemical paints

    Build your own coop

    If you don't like a ready-made model, you can build a Kobel according to the instructions with a little skill, a minimum of time and few materials. You need a sturdy wooden board made of maple, beech or pine, a few nails and screws and tools for assembly. The model can be changed and designed individually. Use the construction plan as a first orientation as to how a Kobel should ideally be constructed.

    building instructions

    The base of the Kobel is 26 x 26 centimeters, while the roof panel is slightly longer at 30 x 26 centimeters. It protrudes a little later and ensures that no rainwater can flow through the loopholes. You also need four side walls measuring 26 x 30 centimeters. Draw a loophole with a diameter of seven centimeters on each of two of these side plates. Pregnant females can also crawl through here without any problems.

    tips

    Attach the roof panel to the back wall with a hinge. So you can easily open and clean the Kobel.

    weather protection

    You can leave the house natural or treat it with a natural glaze. If you don't apply protection, the Kobel will be exposed to the elements and won't last as long. Glazes (€66.50) form a water-repellent layer on the wood and preserve breathability. Should water penetrate the interior, the moisture can escape through the wood.

    cosiness

    A squirrel in the den likes it cuddly, soft and warm. That is why they equip their nests with warming and cushioning materials. These do not have to be of natural origin. The climbing artists often use fabrics and clothing from the clothesline. To protect your clothing, you should offer the animals used leftovers in a basket.

    tips

    You can also help a little and fill the self-made hut with moss, soft pieces of bark and leaves.

    Align and hang

    Squirrels like lofty heights where they are largely safe from predators. The lower the dwelling is, the greater the risk of being attacked by cats or martens.

    This is how the Kobel is hung:

    • Height of five to six meters
    • rear/lower loophole faces the main trunk
    • Attach the box with a slight forward tilt

    frequently asked Questions

    What is a squirrel kobel?

    The nest of the squirrel is called a Kobel. The rodents build several of these nests, which serve different functions. They use the Kobel for their afternoon rest and for sleeping at night. Young animals are born and raised in the protection of the spherical nests.

    What does a squirrel kobel look like?

    The nests are round and usually have two and sometimes more entrances. These loopholes not only serve as entrances and exits but also ensure an escape route. The basic structure is formed by stronger branches and twigs, the spaces between which are stuffed with leaves. The interior is padded with soft materials such as moss, leaves or soft pieces of bark. This creates an almost waterproof and warming nest.

    When does the squirrel go to its den?

    The so-called shadow nests serve as a place of retreat during the day where the animals take an afternoon nap. At night they go to the sleeping huts. There is also a main pen, which is also used to raise the young animals. Squirrels are constantly moving and using their nests almost simultaneously to prevent the spread of parasites.

    What to do if a squirrel fell out of the nest

    It can happen that a young animal falls to the ground during its first attempts at climbing. As a rule, the mother takes care of her offspring and brings them back to the safe nest. If you find a hatchling, be sure to watch it for some time. Intervention is only necessary if the mother does not rush to help. Young squirrels cool down very quickly. Wrap the little one in a towel and give them water.

Category:

Animals in the garden