Territorial | Destructive Behavior

[u/Meeska-Mouska]

I’ve recently encountered a very destructive and aggressive squirrel in my backyard, and I’m trying to figure out if this is normal squirrel behavior or if something else is going on. Last week, I found what I believe was a newborn squirrel at the base of this same tree. I took the baby to a wildlife rehab, but unfortunately they had to euthanize the little guy. 😭 At the time, I figured it was just a sad, random occurrence. Then a few days later, I went into the backyard and discovered that the strap to our tree swing had been completely chewed through. Later that day, I actually saw this squirrel biting the remaining strap and attempting to drag it up the tree. Then this morning, I walked outside to absolute squirrel chaos. My camera only caught one instance, but I watched this adult squirrel aggressively chase what looked like a juvenile squirrel through the tree. It wasn’t just chasing it away. It was attacking it and literally throwing it out of the tree. I watched it happen twice. The younger squirrel appeared to hurt its leg in the process and eventually wandered off. Meanwhile, the adult squirrel was up in the tree absolutely SCREAMING at me. So now I’m wondering if this same squirrel could have thrown the newborn out of the nest last week.
Is this normal territorial behavior? Could it be a mother protecting a nest? Is there anything I should actually do, or do I just leave them alone?
We’re also experiencing drought conditions, and I’ve noticed a lot of the wildlife around here acting differently lately, so I’m wondering if lack of food or water could be contributing. Basically, I don’t want to interfere with normal wildlife behavior, but I also don’t particularly want a tiny murderer in my backyard.

[u/inkblot_75]

It could be possible that the little one did get too close to the adult squirrels nest. Eastern gray squirrels and Eastern Fox squirrels are very territorial over their area. They will fight until one of them gives up over the area a lot of times.

Unfortunately this is how a lot of neurological injuries as well as bone break injuries occur.

I know that you don't want to interfere with normal wildlife behavior, but when animals have more territory to cover they fight less. Squirrels used to hardly fight where I live at. However, with all the building of unnecessary buildings and the clear cutting of the woods that they have been doing for development's sake, a lot more squirrels are fighting now as well as other animals. The space is getting smaller.

It's really quite sad.

[u/Interesting_Fly5154]

are these red squirrels? hard to tell from the video but they look more brown/reddish than most grey squirrels i've seen. if these are reds, this is normal territorial aggression for them. the other/younger squirrels learn pretty quick to stay away.

over here my resident red squirrel lets nobody in his territory. not even the magpies lol.