the essentials in brief
- Kobel usually sit on forked branches, consist of leaves, branches and twigs are up to 50cm wide
- Inside are those Squirrel nests padded with moss, leaves, grass, bark and feathers
- Kobel are used to raise the young and as a place to sleep
- Squirrels also like to accept man-made goblins
Squirrels build nests
The squirrel's nest is a hollow spherical structure that is often placed in a fork of a branch or at the base of the branch. They are at heights of more than six meters. Squirrels usually enter their homes from below, which is why a loophole points downwards.
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The Kobel have two loopholes so that the animals can fly out of the second opening in case of danger or siege of an entrance. A Kobel is ready after three to five days. Squirrels build multiple nests because they have different functions.
Brief overview:
- outer diameter: about 30 to 50 centimeters
- Inside diameter: about 15 to 20 centimeters
- Base material: Twigs, needles and leaves
- Interior fittings: Moss, leaves, grass, pieces of bark, feathers
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Rearing boys
After a gestation period of 38 days, the females give birth to one to six young in the main goblet. It is quite common that the nest is infested with parasites. Therefore, the mothers move more often, so that their two to eight nests are used almost simultaneously. The females react very quickly to danger. They carry their young away in what is known as the rigid carrying position in order to put them in a safe escape room.
Digression
Development of the young
At the age of six to eight weeks, the little ones go on an exploration tour for the first time and leave the nest. The mother nurses her offspring up to ten weeks of age. Nevertheless, young animals stay near the maternal Kobel for a few months.
Sleeping place
When the young are out of the nest, the goblins do not become useless. They are still used by the animals, because this is where squirrels nap and sleep. However, different nests are used during the day and night. The daily rest phases are held in the shaded pots, while other sleeping pods are used for the night.
Hibernation
The Kobel is built in such a way that hardly any water can penetrate into the interior. The nests have a thick wall and are well padded on the inside so that they offer good protection against the cold in winter. So that the animals do not get cold, they cuddle up in their bushy tails.
| Body temperature | Food intake in winter | animals | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hibernation | sinks | no | Hedgehog, bat |
| Numbness | sinks | no | Lizards, snails |
| Hibernation | remains the same | Yes | Raccoon, brown bear |
In winter, squirrels hibernate in the Kobel
Social behavior
As a rule, squirrels are loners, so each animal uses its own goblin. They only meet at the mating season. Occasionally it happens that the rodents live gregariously even outside of the breeding season and several animals use the same nest. It has also been observed that squirrels take care of sick conspecifics.
Looking for living space
As the natural habitats of these climbers are being destroyed more and more, the animals are looking for alternatives. This pushes them into urban areas, where squirrels settle in gardens and parks. It is not uncommon for the animals to build a nest on the balcony. You should not remove this to protect the animals.
Maintain respect
Carefully examine flower pots with dead plants from the previous year. Squirrels like to use the coarse plant material to build a nest under the protection of the balcony box. It even happens that the animals settle under blankets, pillows and cushions. Disturb the squirrels as little as possible. Since the animals are very clean, the mother will soon move into an alternative nest with her offspring.
Squirrels can quickly become trusting. Make sure that the animals do not get too used to being close to humans.
What to do if the nest is accidentally destroyed
In this case, you can form a replacement nest. Take an old towel and put the hatchlings in it. The mother is not bothered by the human smell that is in the fur of the young animals. Slide a hot water bottle under the towel nest, because the boys cool down very quickly. When the mother finds her offspring in the substitute nest, she will bring each young individually into a substitute goblet.
Buy Kobel
If you want to provide the animals with a safe shelter, the purchase of a finished house is a good idea. However, the products do not always deliver what they promise and so that both you and the rodent are happy, you should consider a few aspects when making your purchase decision.
Pay attention to
Many dwellings look nice because they have been painted in different colors. However, such paintwork involves health risks. The better choice are models made from untreated materials. Even if water should penetrate later, natural wood is more suitable. It can breathe and automatically ensures that moisture can escape again. Impregnated cobels are completely unsuitable.
| suitable | not suitable | |
|---|---|---|
| material | Softwoods | Metal, plastic |
| Entrances | two to three openings | a loophole |
| glaze | Linseed oil, rosin oil, beeswax | chemical paintwork |
Build the Kobel yourself
If you do not like a finished model, you can build a Kobel according to instructions with a little skill, minimal expenditure of time and little material. To do this, you need a sturdy wooden board made of maple, beech or pine, a few Nails and screws and tools for assembly. The model can be changed as desired and designed individually. Use the blueprint as a first guide on how a Kobel should ideally be constructed.
building instructions
The footprint of the pebble is 26 x 26 centimeters, while the roof plate is slightly longer at 30 x 26 centimeters. Later it protrudes a little and ensures that no rainwater can flow through the loopholes. You also need four side walls with the dimensions 26 x 30 centimeters. Draw a loophole with a diameter of seven centimeters on each of two of these side plates. Pregnant females can crawl through here without any problems.
Tips
Attach the roof panel to the rear wall using a hinge. So you can easily open and clean the Kobel.
Weather protection
You can leave the house natural or finish it with a natural glaze. If you do not apply protection, the Kobel will be exposed to the weather and will not last as long. Glazes(€ 65.00 at Amazon *) form a water-repellent layer on the wood and preserve breathability. If water penetrates the interior, the moisture can escape through the wood.
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Our squirrel scoop will soon be ready for viewing with the real estate agent's croissant. Paint is on it, it is also roughly fastened, now only two more fastenings are missing, a weather protection on the list side and a little interior decoration. And then... then a squirrel family should be happy to move in. ☺ #kobel # eichhörnchenkobel #sqirrelhouse #sqirrelskobel # garten49 # schreber49 # parzelle49 #schrebergartenbielefeld #kleingarteninbielefeld #schrebergarten #kleingarten #allotmentgarden
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Cosiness
A squirrel in a Kobel likes it cuddly, soft and warm. That's why they equip their nests with warming and cushioning materials. These do not have to be of natural origin. The climbers often use fabrics and clothing off the clothesline. To protect your clothing, you should offer the animals used scraps of fabric in a basket.
Tips
You can also help a little and fill the self-made Kobel with moss, soft pieces of bark and leaves.
Align and hang
Squirrels like lofty heights where they are largely safe from predators. The lower the dwelling, the greater the risk of being attacked by cats or martens.
This is how the Kobel is hung:
- Height from five to six meters
- rear / lower loophole points towards the main trunk
- Attach the box inclined slightly forwards
frequently asked Questions
What is a squirrel goblin?
The nest of the squirrel is called Kobel. The rodents build several of these nests, which fulfill various functions. You use the Kobel for lunch and for sleeping at night. Young animals are born and raised in the protection of the spherical nests.
What does a squirrel Kobel look like?
The nests are round and usually have two and sometimes several entrances. These loopholes not only serve as entrances and exits, but also provide an escape route. The basic structure is formed by stronger branches and twigs, the spaces between which are stuffed with leaves. The interior is padded with soft materials such as moss, leaves or soft pieces of bark. This creates an almost waterproof and warming nest.
When does the squirrel go to see its goblin?
The so-called shadow nests serve as a place of retreat during the day, where the animals take an afternoon nap. At night they go to the sleeping quarters. There is also a main kobel, which is also used to raise the young. Squirrels are constantly moving and use their nests almost simultaneously to prevent parasites from spreading.
What to do if a squirrel falls out of the nest
It is quite possible that a young animal falls on the ground during the first attempts at climbing. As a rule, the mother takes care of her offspring and brings them back to the safe nest. If you find a hatchling, be sure to watch it for some time. Intervention is only necessary when the mother does not rush to help. Young squirrels cool down very quickly. Wrap the little one in a towel and give him water.
