How Do Squirrels Drink Water? This Is How!
Contents
It's easy to see how birds, dogs, and cats drink water. Fewer people have watched a squirrel take a drink, so here is how they do it.
How do squirrels drink water? Squirrels crouch at the water's edge, lower their head, and lap up water with quick flicks of their tongue, much like many other small mammals. Squirrels that have learned to use a hanging bottle may hold onto it and lick or sip from the spout.
Below, we cover where squirrels find water, what they should and shouldn't drink, and what baby squirrels drink.
How Do Squirrels Drink Water?
As mentioned above, squirrels drink by crouching down and lapping water with their tongues. They stay alert while drinking, since they are exposed to predators on the ground.
Squirrels get water from puddles, streams, ponds, birdbaths, fountains, and dew on leaves. They also get a good share of their moisture from food, such as fruits, berries, buds, and other plants.
In the wild, squirrels drink from whatever water sources are nearby. They are not picky, which is one reason clean water in a birdbath is welcome in hot, dry weather.
What Do Squirrels Drink?
Squirrels drink water. Wild squirrels do not need any other drink, and they should never be given soda, alcohol, coffee, or other human drinks.
Tufts Wildlife Clinic warns that "people" food isn't good for animals and can cause serious health problems. Feeding wildlife can also make them lose their fear of people and crowd together in ways that spread disease.
Squirrels may raid spilled sugary drinks or fermented fruit, but that is a risk to them, not something they need.
How Often Do Squirrels Drink Water?
There is no fixed schedule. Squirrels drink when they find water and when they are thirsty. They need more on hot days and when food is dry, such as during nut season.
Nursing mothers need extra water to produce milk. In winter, squirrels may lick snow or ice when liquid water is frozen.
How Much Water Should A Squirrel Need To Drink?
The amount depends on the squirrel's size, the weather, and how much moisture is in its food. A squirrel eating juicy fruits and buds needs less extra water than one eating dry nuts and seeds.
In hot summer weather, squirrels need more water to stay hydrated, and nursing mothers need more than usual.
Where Do Squirrels Get Their Water?
There is no single place. Squirrels drink wherever they find water: birdbaths, pet bowls left outdoors, puddles, dew on leaves, streams, lakes, and ponds. Food such as fruit, berries, and plant buds adds more moisture.
If you want to help squirrels and birds during a heat wave, a shallow birdbath with clean, fresh water is a simple option. Clean it often to prevent disease.
Squirrels sometimes drink from puddles on roads, which puts them at risk from traffic.
How Long Can Squirrels Live Without Water?
There is no reliable figure for how long a squirrel can go without water. Moisture from food helps, but in hot weather they need regular access to water, and dehydration can set in quickly.
What Do Baby Squirrels Drink?
Baby squirrels drink their mother's milk. Young tree squirrels start exploring outside the nest around the time they are weaned, at about 10 to 12 weeks old. After that, they drink from the same water sources adults use.
If you find a baby squirrel that seems orphaned, do not give it cow's milk or water. Contact a licensed wildlife rehabilitator instead.
Final Verdict
Squirrels drink by crouching at the water and lapping it up with their tongues. They also get moisture from their food. Give them nothing but clean water, and leave human drinks out of reach.
Sources
- Feeding Wildlife, Tufts Wildlife Clinic, Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine
- Tree Squirrel Biology, Internet Center for Wildlife Damage Management
