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Squirrels are interesting little creatures. How they prepare for winter is a great example.

It is important to first remember that tree squirrels and ground squirrels handle the winter preparations a little differently. The traits are similar, but not the same. Since there are similarities, however, the focus here will be ground squirrels, such as the golden-mantled ground squirrel.

Ground squirrels don't suddenly start preparing for winter. That is, the preparations begin during the warm weather of early summer. This is a time when they are busily eating, rearing young, and enlarging their underground tunnels and chambers. The sometimes-ravenous appetites help them to build up fat reserves that will be needed in the wintertime, for survival.

Chambers may also be lined with grasses and fur, creating a cozy place to sleep when the weather finally turns cold. The size of the chamber dictates how many squirrels can use it when it is time to hibernate. A larger number means more warmth when it is needed.

Part of the food gathering activities isn't for eating and putting on fat. Squirrels will often bury or hide caches of seeds and other foods for use especially for winter. They may also store some food in smaller chambers off their main tunnels. This allows for easier access when the animal is unable to get to the buried food outside the den.

Gradually, they build up fat reserves and go from being sleek to being rather chubby. As warm temperatures give way to cooler temperature, there is another change. A thicker fur, more suited for keeping the little animal alive in the cold, replaces the thin summer pelt.

Food collection advances to a nearly feverish pace, as if the squirrel understands that in a short time, collection is going to be difficult if not impossible. More food is brought into the burrow, with the squirrel digging new chambers for it if needed, and more is stashed near the tunnel.

Cold weather finally hits, and the squirrel instinctively reacts. First, they and any other squirrel living in the tunnel system, begins to fill in the openings, from the inside. The dirt usually isn't tightly packed, nor does it need to be. A plug of loosely packed dirt still forms a good insulator against the cold. However, since the tunnels usually have multiple exits, each must be sealed to retain the heat inside.

Finally secure, the squirrels curl up together in the main bedding chamber and drift off to sleep. The sleep gets progressively deeper until they are hibernating.

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