Jumping & Climbing: What Can Squirrels Do?

If you want an animal that can move fast, swivel faster, and even climb and jump to enable them to get to the highest of spots, look no further than the humble squirrel. The animal is basically a master gymnast, using every tool at its disposal. Sharp claws help to grab hold of textured surfaces. Agile limbs enable them to scamper and bounce about with glee. Super strong muscles help to propel them through the air. It almost seems that there is no platform or height this bushy-tailed beast can't reach …

Almost.

There are a lot of different squirrel species. Two hundred or so known to date, from all over the world. The United States is home to quite a few of them, falling into five categories:

Ground Squirrels

Red Squirrels

Gray Squirrels

Flying Squirrels

Fox Squirrels

The gray squirrel types are the ones that will probably give you the most problems, a common pest not just across North America, but also globally, especially in the United Kingdom. In fact, gray squirrels are so prevalent over there that they are a major pest species and have even caused the dramatic decline of the red squirrel.

The Eastern Gray Squirrel is the most common pest culprit in North America, and there's a pretty good chance that you'll have seen one of these hanging out in your back yard. We're going to base our squirrel jumping facts and stats on that little chap, just because he's the one that you'll be more accustomed to protecting your home against.


How high can a squirrel jump?

Bearing in mind that most squirrels barely stand at under a foot high themselves, the Eastern Gray squirrel can jump over four feet in height. This means that tree branches that hang four feet or lower from the ground are going to be prime transport hubs for squirrels, and any bird feeders that are hung on those trees will be devoured by squirrels, rather than birds.


How far can a squirrel jump?

In terms of length, it has been suggested that the Eastern Gray squirrel can jump somewhere in the region of seven to ten feet across a horizontal form. That's pretty impressive … Far greater than many of us would give them credit for, that's for sure. If tree branches are within ten feet of your roof or similar point, squirrels will reach the space with ease.



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