What Are Squirrel Predators?
Baby squirrels often fall prey to opportunistic predators such as mice and raccoons, while adult-sized, more intelligent animals are more vulnerable to ground-dwelling, aerial predators such as hawks. The most common type of wound a squirrel can suffer is from a bite from a raccoon, but the animals can also become infected with a parasitic infection.

Parasites and Predators
Squirrels are susceptible to various skin diseases and parasites. The scabies mite can cause bleeding and hair loss in females. This condition makes the female squirrel unable to defend herself against other predators. Another common pest is the warble fly, which lays eggs in tree bark and latches onto a squirrel’s body. The larvae of this insect burrow into the skin of a squirrel and feed on it.
Other common squirrel predators include large snakes, coyotes, raccoons, and weasels. Other large predatory birds like cats and foxes also prey on the squirrels. Lastly, humans can poison a squirrel. Regardless of what kind of predator is threatening a particular species of squirrel, it is vital to know what those animals are and how to prevent them from becoming a target.
Read Also :- How to Make a Squirrel Nest
There are many types of snakes that feed on squirrels. These predators are best found in areas with high squirrel populations. Because snakes can easily get through a nest, they may choose to kill a rodent. If a snake has been feeding on a squirrel, it can inject it with poison to kill it. In some cases, the predator will simply leave it alone if the rodent has baby squirrels.
Some of the most common predators of squirrels are crows and owls. The smaller birds will only eat the baby squirrels, while a snake will only attack the ones that are injured. Other types of squirrel predators include black bears, snakes, and bats. These creatures will rob your tree of food, and wreak havoc on the nest. These predators will often eat the entire nest.
Other common predators of squirrels are lizards. Other animals that prey on squirrels are lizards and snapping turtles. Some people even eat squirrel meat. While the meat of a squirrel is edible, it may contain certain types of diseases. For this reason, it is important to keep your surroundings free of these species. These pests can be dangerous. The more of them you spot, the more likely you are to find them in your area.
California ground squirrels are vulnerable to red-tailed hawks, while the arctic ground squirrels are at risk from golden eagles and other birds of prey. But they’re also vulnerable to other species. So, it’s important to keep the species in a healthy environment and don’t feed them to them.
Jessica Watson is a PHD holder from the University of Washington. She studied behavior and interaction between squirrels and has presented her research in several wildlife conferences including TWS Annual Conference in Winnipeg.
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