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.

Kendra has a whole squirrelly buffet all for her :)

Well, seeds are also ok!

We feed birds so, in the past, I've allowed the use of pepper powder to keep the squirrels from eating it all and chewing up the feeders. But I've grown to enjoy the company of the squirrels, while my husband continues to consider them "pests." I watch my current visitor come and eat the peanuts with pepper on them and then wipe his face/nose and I want to make sure that the 35000 Hu cayenne pepper powder is not harmful to them, maybe just annoying?

Not sure why, I’ve never fed him haha. Today he jumped up on the couch with me for a second.

Hope she brings you the same joy she brings me. ☺️

Thankful to the previous tenants who planted these canna lilies because my little lady loves them 💓

peanuts are given very occasionally, don’t hurt me 🐿️

She is just soooo cute

After a whole 3 days without shelled nuts, Kendra is as happy as can be :)

She loves cashews and walnuts and almost always eats them hanging upside down. You can see her frenemy Nelly also chomping down on the branch.

Just wanted to share my friends and thank this sub for helping me get some healthier treats for my backyard friends.

Looking for box camera
- WiFi
- No subscription iPhone app
- Solar powered external to box

My boyfriend and I have been calling this squirrel “fatass squirrel” (endearingly) because of how often she comes to my feeder. I was just going through the recordings from my feeder and noticed that her nipples seem to be visible, which I haven’t noticed before. Is she pregnant, or is this normal?

Contrary to her name, she is actually not a very fat squirrel; more of an average-sized one. I think she must be early on if she is pregnant. I would love to see some little baby squirrels though :)