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Related: Culture Forums, Support ForumsCrippled squirrels find their way to my feeders. Please Keep Your Cat Inside!
Sigh. Every morning I watch the survivors wobble around. They seem so happy to have found food and water. I've often wondered about the missing fluffy tails. The squirrels in my yard look like they have beaver tails.
Then today ... a three legged squirrel showed up.
These squirrels have healed from whatever trauma they've lived through but it wouldn't be necessary if my neighbors would keep their pets inside.
shenmue
(38,506 posts)MerryBlooms
(11,770 posts)I saw many damaged squirrels on my deck every day. It wasn't the cats injuring them, it was dogs and coyotes. I watched and yelled at so many people who would sic their dogs on the squirrels, it was really sickening.
We have 2 indoor cats, who are perfectly content to watch the wildlife from the safety of their screened rooms. We have a yard full of feeders with birds and squirrels. Everyone's happy, but man, keeping the peanut ring full is getting expensive. lol
In_The_Wind
(72,300 posts)One little guy has taken to looking in the sliding door. She stands with her feet against it.
I haven't seen any coyotes in the yard but I have spotted the ones who weren't quick enough to make it across the thruway safely.
A few of the squirrels may have run into foxes.
MerryBlooms
(11,770 posts)He gets up on my potting bench and looks in the kitchen window, "Heeeeeeeeey Laaaaaaaaaaaaaady... whatcha doin'?", "How about some service out here!". Little stinkers. Thankfully they've never damaged the house or shed, but I know that's definitely something to keep an eye on.
Texasgal
(17,045 posts)to catch them!
Kali
(55,013 posts)In_The_Wind
(72,300 posts)But there is one skinny ferrel cat and one fluffy Himalayan cat roaming around.
Dogs are only allowed on leashes.
magical thyme
(14,881 posts)In_The_Wind
(72,300 posts)After seeing a few short-flat tail squirrels, I was beginning to think we had a mutant strain of squirrels. The female short-tail chases all of the other squirrels off the deck. It appears as if her back legs were injured also as she hops instead of running like most squirrels do.
The closest 35 mph road is three blocks away. I think the cat with half a tail might hang around the horse farm nearby (across the 35 mph road) when it isn't stalking birds and small animals here.
greendog
(3,127 posts)They have that crazy look in their eyes. Most carry sharp knives, explosives, and machine guns with them on their routes. They HAtE squirrels! Their hearts are FILLED WITH HATE for squirrels. I'm sure it's postal workers.
Cats LOVE squirrels! Most cats lay on the rug and watch Dr. Phil on the TV. They're well adjusted and peaceful. They'd never harm a squirrel.
Cats that live outside are slightly more problematic. They aren't able to watch Dr. Phil. They've been known to break in to Wal-Mart and STEAL cat food! They'll order pizza delivery and attack the delivery person and STEAL the pizza! On at least TWO occasions, they've even stolen the pizza guy's car and drove it till it ran out of gas.
But they've never, never, never harmed a squirrel. Ever! Or a songbird. Birds terrify cats! Birds EAT cats!!! Every single day. Squirrels gang up on cats and barbecue them EVERY SINGLE SATURDAY! They get together with songbirds and drink Budweiser and eat tiny little kittens.
Tiny little kittens with GREAT BIG SAD EYES!
I'm pretty sure the problem is postal workers,...or SOMEBODY! Anybody. Not cats.
riderinthestorm
(23,272 posts)They hunt as a perfect hunting pair. Very deadly.
The barn cats are all about the barn mice and serve a vital role in maintaining my farm ecosystem against the rodents. Besides, mice are much easier prey.
I can't imagine any cat going after a squirrel - squirrels are just very large furry rats - almost the same weight class of most cats - and are vicious in a fight.
I know I'm preaching to the choir here with you Kali but this is the third thread ITW's started in a week and I'm obviously on her ignore list.
Duppers
(28,125 posts)Five weeks ago before the trees grew their heavy leaf canopy, we had seen hawks above us.
Then one morning I saw one sitting on my deck railing where my squirrels come to feed. This large intelligent goshawk had figured out their feeding habits. After making a few pics of the predator, the hubs and I rushed him screaming as loudly as we could and he flew away. Haven't seen him since. Explains what happened to a couple of my favorite hand feeding squirrels.
That poor 3-legged kid.
In any case, kitties should be kept inside and pups on leashes.
In_The_Wind
(72,300 posts)I'm sure they are back again as there's a steady supply of food.
Sorry about your pet squirrels.
MerryBlooms
(11,770 posts)Sometimes nature is tough to watch.
Arugula Latte
(50,566 posts)I've got a ton of squirrels in my yard and I've seen some major Squirrel-on-Squirrel violence.
However, I do keep my kitties inside for their own safety.
In_The_Wind
(72,300 posts)You must have very happy cats.
Arugula Latte
(50,566 posts)Although they don't know they're gonna get a catio soon so they can watch the squirrel gangs go at it from a front-row seat!
BlueJazz
(25,348 posts)seveneyes
(4,631 posts)Naturally speaking, nature abhors unnatural acts. Nature requires adaptation or demise.
BlueJazz
(25,348 posts)olddots
(10,237 posts)I'm still bummed out ,squirrels are neat little critters and help plant trees .
KMOD
(7,906 posts)My squirrels crack me up. I have some Rose of Sharon in the back, and they are like acrobats as they jump from one to the next.