Fox Squirrels and Water: Observations from My Yard

For several years, I’ve observed and photographed Fox Squirrels visiting the birdbath in my yard. One thing that always stood out to me is how much water they seem to drink at one time. It often looks like they are taking in much more water than I would expect for their size. This made me curious, so I decided to research how much water they actually need in a day.

It turns out that Fox Squirrels, like most squirrels, don’t need a huge amount of water daily. Estimates suggest they require around three to four tablespoons of water each day. This amount is relatively small, especially when you consider that much of their hydration comes from their diet.

Here are the main factors that influence how squirrels hydrate:

Water Intake Sources:

1. Diet: Fox Squirrels get a lot of their water from the food they eat. This includes fruits, plants, and other vegetation that naturally contain moisture.
2. Environmental Moisture: They also lick dew from leaves or collect water from other small sources, reducing the need for drinking large amounts of water directly.
3. Surface Water: Despite their ability to find moisture from other sources, when there is an available birdbath or similar water source, they will drink from it, which I often see in my yard.

Estimated Daily Consumption:

While three to four tablespoons per day might not seem like much, several factors affect this:

• Seasonal Changes: Hotter weather, like the summers here in Arkansas, means they will drink more water.
• Dietary Shifts: In seasons when food is drier, such as nuts in the fall, they need to drink more water to compensate.
• Reproductive Status: Female squirrels that are nursing their young require more water to produce milk.

Despite these needs, the squirrels in my yard seem especially thirsty. When they come to the birdbath for their first drink of the day, they seem to drink much more than those three to four tablespoons. It makes me wonder if the availability of water in the surrounding area is low, or if the food they’re eating right now is especially dry.

I’ll continue to observe this behavior, as it might offer more insights into how they manage their hydration based on environmental factors. If you’re seeing similar behavior in your yard, it could mean your birdbath is an essential resource for the local wildlife, especially in times of drought.