Squirrel Lifespan

Squirrel Lifespan – How Long Do Squirrels Live?

The squirrel lifespan is a topic that has fascinated people for centuries. While many factors determine the lifespan of different species, there are also general trends within each species that have been identified.

A squirrel’s average lifespan is between 1-3 years in captivity. In the wild, it’s not uncommon for them to live up to 5 years old or even more. Because they live in large groups and have a very high reproduction rate, they have an average birth rate of 4-5 young per litter. They can reproduce quickly enough to keep their numbers from dwindling over time.

What is a Squirrel’s Life Expectancy?

The mean lifespan of a squirrel is relatively short, with most only living to be 1-2 years old. However, some have been known to live up to 12 years in the wild and 20 years in captivity.

Eastern Gray Squirrel Life Expectancy

The life expectancy of the eastern gray squirrel can be anywhere from 3 to 5 years in the wild. The exception to this is Canadian squirrels which have a longer life expectancy than their eastern counterparts.

Eastern Gray Squirrel Life Expectancy

Western Gray Squirrel Lifespan

The average lifespan of a western gray squirrel at birth is 1-2 years, but they can live up to 6 years in the wild. In captivity, they have been known to live up to 20 years.

Western Gray Squirrel Lifespan

Arizona Gray Squirrel Lifespan 

At birth, the look-for lifespan of the grey squirrel is at most one to two years. But those who reach maturation have an average lifespan of 6 to 12 years.

Arizona Gray Squirrel Lifespan 

​​American Red Squirrel Lifespan

Red squirrels have an average lifespan of 2 years in the wild and up to 5 years in captivity. The leading cause of natural death is predation from larger animals.

​​American Red Squirrel Lifespan

Southern Flying Squirrel Lifespan

The southern flying squirrel has an average lifespan of 3-5 years in the wild. However, the southern flying squirrels can live up to ten years.

Southern Flying Squirrel Lifespan

Douglas Squirrel Lifespan

The Douglas squirrel has a lifespan of about 12 to 16 years. The lifespan of the Douglas squirrel is shorter than many other squirrel species. It is due to the number of predators that it has. The IUCN places the lifespan of the Douglas squirrel at 6 years in the wild. They have a lifespan of about 7 years in captivity.

Douglas Squirrel Lifespan

Red Squirrel Life Expectancy

Red squirrels may live ten years, although 3-5 years is the average life span for adult red squirrels. Predators: foxes, bobcats, coyotes, Raccoons, owls, hawks, weasels, minks, fishers, and martens hunt the red squirrel.

Red Squirrel Life Expectancy

Fox Squirrel Life Expectancy

The average lifespan of a fox squirrel varies by location. Those in urban areas may be able to live about five years; in the wilderness, fox squirrels can live 6 to 7 years.

Fox Squirrel Life Expectancy

Ground Squirrel Life Expectancy

Ground squirrels live to be about six years of age in the wild. It’s not uncommon for them to live up to 10 years in captivity.

Ground Squirrel Life Expectancy

Survival Considerations

Many things can affect how long a grey squirrel survives, including the harshness of the winter months, sustenance availability, and predators. Grey squirrels are hardy mammals, but their highly diverse meal staples (which include beechnuts, acorns, bugs, grapes, bird eggs, birds, grass, and amphibians) and sometimes cannibalistic tendencies can make them vulnerable to harsh conditions and predators.

How Does Their Lifespan Compare to Rats?

When you compare the lifespan of two wild rodents, you might think that squirrels and rats are similar because they face identical predators and environments and are roughly the same size. However, a squirrel’s life span is usually two years longer than a rat’s, and even more, depending on the squirrel species.

How Does Their Lifespan Compare to Chipmunks?

When it comes to their lifespans, chipmunks and squirrels can be pretty similar. While chipmunks tend to live up to three years, squirrels are known to live 8-10 years.

The most important thing to place is that you should never try to catch a chipmunk or squirrel. If you see one, you’ll only release it back into the wild where it belongs.

FAQs

When Do Squirrels Have Babies?

Grey squirrels have two annual breeding periods, one in mid-summer and another in early spring.

What Diseases Can Squirrels Transmit To Humans?

Squirrels are known to move numerous diseases, though only a few threaten humans

Conclusion

As you can see, squirrels have a long lifespan. They live around 12-15 years in the wild and up to 25 years when they’re taken care of. Their lifespan depends on how much they are fed and how happy they are with their surroundings. The best way to keep your squirrel happy is by giving them lots of dry food and fresh water.

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