Nesting Douglas Squirrels (AD)

How do you get ready for winter? At Mount Rainier, Douglas squirrels are busy collecting materials for their nests. Nest materials can include dry moss, tree bark, leaves, and other materials. Squirrels use the materials to line tree cavities or large leaf and stick nests, called dreys, built high up in trees. Douglas squirrels will also create larders, or storage areas, of seeds and cones to eat through the winter. Favorite eating spots are often covered in a layer of discarded cone scales. The squirrels also eat a variety of plants, mushrooms, and bird eggs. Learn more about Mount Rainier’s wildlife at https://go.nps.gov/MountRainierAnimals NPS Video of two Douglas squirrels collecting moss and cedar bark as nest materials near Longmire. Available without audio description at    • Nesting Douglas Squirrels  .