r/todayilearned • u/CosmicMando • 1d ago

TIL that not all clumps of twigs and leaves in trees are bird nests — some are actually squirrel nests called "dreys."

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Drey
173 Upvotes

91% Upvoted

24 comments sorted by

27

u/steveakacrush 1d ago

Where did you think squirrels lived??

11

u/HomarusSimpson 1d ago

Plymouth?

7

u/ConspiceyStories 1d ago

I always leave my door open for them at night. Never knew any different in all my years

4

u/Marriedinskyrim 1d ago

Wait, you leave the door open so the squirrels can come in?

10

u/Absurdity_Everywhere 1d ago

Well, they can’t work the handles by themselves

4

u/Marriedinskyrim 23h ago

That seems logical. Carry on. Tell the squirrels I said hello.

5

u/Ulthanon 1d ago

They forgot about dreys

7

u/apistograma 1d ago

Seriously, I thought they lived in holes on the ground similarly to rabbits

8

u/Tinydesktopninja 1d ago

Some do, they're called ground squirrels

0

u/iTwango 1d ago

Mmmm delicious ground squirrels

3

u/CosmicMando 1d ago

I knew they lived in tree holes or cavities. I just never knew they also made their own nests on branches like birds. 🤷🏻‍♂️

10

u/doubledeckerjon 1d ago

I was trying to think of the name of these the other day. I forgot about Dre

5

u/LordByronsCup 1d ago edited 1d ago

Sounds like a MFr forgot about dreys.

3

u/Marriedinskyrim 1d ago

😆😂🤣Who thought they were all bird nests?! Where do people think the squirrels live?

3

u/ShadyMyLady 1d ago

As a kid we called them witches nests, don't know why.

6

u/Beneficial-Pair822 1d ago

Wait 'till you learn about 'witches broom' in trees, it'll blow your mind!

6

u/Laura-ly 1d ago

I have no idea why you're being downvoted. Witches brooms in trees are a real thing.

"Witches' brooms are characterized by a proliferation of shoots growing close together. The shoots are usually shorter, stockier, and have an upright but more compact growth habit than normal.

Witches' brooms may be caused by fungal, viral, or phytoplasmas. Eriophyid mites, mistletoe, environmental damage, or a mutation in vegetative cells may also cause witches' brooming."

Witches' Broom on Trees | University of Maryland Extension

4

u/Beneficial-Pair822 1d ago

Thanks, I guess people thought I was being sarcastic.

3

u/adibbs 1d ago

I like this post

0

u/shroomigator 1d ago

I forgot about drays

1

u/Gargomon251 16h ago

I knew they were squirrel nests but I had no idea they were called dreys

-6

u/Snowf1ake222 1d ago

Not in New Zealand.

2

u/Snowf1ake222 23h ago

Are people downvoting me because they don't know that NZ doesn't have squirrels?