The warm, subtropical climate of Florida influences the life cycles of its resident wildlife, and the reproductive schedule of squirrels is a prime example. Unlike their counterparts in colder northern regions, Florida squirrels often follow a breeding pattern that allows for the production of multiple litters annually. Understanding this unique seasonality is key for anyone trying to predict when these common backyard residents will be raising their young.
Identifying Florida’s Common Species
The squirrels most frequently observed in Florida are the Eastern Gray Squirrel (Sciurus carolinensis) and the Fox Squirrel (Sciurus niger). The Eastern Gray Squirrel is ubiquitous across the state in wooded, suburban, and urban areas. The Fox Squirrel is significantly larger and typically found in more open, park-like habitats. A third species, the Southern Flying Squirrel (Glaucomys volans), is also widespread but rarely seen due to its strictly nocturnal habits. The dual breeding cycle discussed here primarily relates to the Eastern Gray and Fox Squirrels, which are encountered during the day.
Florida’s Dual Breeding Seasons
The mild weather and consistent food supply throughout Florida support a prolonged reproductive window, resulting in two distinct breeding periods each year. This deviates from the single-litter cycle common in regions with harsh winters.
The first breeding period begins in late winter, with mating activity peaking around December and January. This ensures that the first litters are born in late winter or early spring, generally in February and March.
The second breeding period occurs during the summer months, with mating often happening around June and July. This results in a late summer or early fall birthing season, usually spanning August and September. Food availability is a major factor driving this dual cycle, as the consistent presence of nuts, seeds, and buds allows female squirrels to quickly recover energy reserves after the first litter to support a second pregnancy. Warmer temperatures also reduce the energy required for thermoregulation, allowing the mother to dedicate more resources to gestation and lactation.
Early Life and Development
Following mating, the female undergoes a gestation period of approximately 40 to 45 days before giving birth. She gives birth inside a nest, which is often a tree cavity or a large, dome-shaped nest of leaves and twigs called a drey. A typical litter size ranges from two to four young, often referred to as kits or pups.
At birth, the kits are highly undeveloped, being blind, deaf, and completely hairless. They are entirely dependent on the mother for warmth and nourishment inside the nest for the initial weeks.
Their eyes and ears remain closed until they are about four to five weeks old, allowing them to begin sensing their environment. By six weeks, they develop a full coat of fur and start to resemble miniature adults, though they are still nursing. The young squirrels begin to venture out of the nest and explore their surroundings at about eight to ten weeks of age, marking the start of their weaning period and independence.
Encountering Young Wildlife
Finding a young squirrel on the ground does not automatically mean it is orphaned, as kits may fall while exploring or be temporarily separated from their mother during a nest relocation. If the baby squirrel appears uninjured, is warm to the touch, and has a full coat of fur, the best course of action is often to leave it alone and observe from a distance for a few hours. The mother will not approach if people or pets are nearby, so clearing the area gives her a chance to retrieve the kit.
If the baby is hairless, cold, or visibly injured, or if the mother has not returned after a few hours, intervention may be necessary. In these cases, the primary concern is keeping the baby warm, using a sock filled with warmed rice or a hot water bottle placed under a towel in a small container.
It is important to avoid giving the squirrel any food or water, as improper feeding can cause life-threatening complications. Contacting a licensed wildlife rehabilitator in Florida is the appropriate next step, as unauthorized handling and raising of native wildlife is prohibited by state law.