Natural enemies of squirrels: 7 enemies in the garden

They are quite funny to look at, the cute little fellows with their bushy tails and brush ears when they jump from branch to branch and tree to tree. They frolic through the branches and play as if nobody could harm them. Nevertheless, the squirrels (Sciurus vulgaris) have to be careful, because dangers and natural enemies lurk everywhere not only in the forest and the hallway, but also in the home garden.

Squirrel enemies in the garden

The small fox-red to brown-black, fast speedsters with a size of up to 25 cm, equally large bushy tails and brush ears are also known as squirrels. The forest is normally their habitat. However, due to intensive forestry and ongoing urbanization, there is an ever-widespread overexploitation and the associated therewith Forests pushed back. This restricts the natural habitats of many wild animals, including that of the squirrel.

In contrast to other animals, the squirrel cats try to escape this misery and follow people into the cities, where they find enough food and shelter. They are increasingly appearing in parks, cemeteries and in domestic gardens on. Over time, they even lose their fear of people. Even if the little rodents look so cute and cute, they remain wild animals. That should be respected, because some close encounters can sometimes be painful. Squirrels have pointy and sharp teeth.

Even if you now feel comfortable around people, you always have to be on your guard, because here, too, lurk drove. Some of these can come from people themselves, for example increasing road traffic. However, there are also some natural enemies who are up to no good.

Note: According to the Federal Nature Conservation Ordinance (BArtSchV), Sciurus vulgaris are listed as a native species. They belong to the specially protected wild animals and may not be caught, injured or killed. Violations can be punished with fines of up to 50,000 euros. The same applies to the destruction of their resting places and homes.

Natural enemies of squirrels

Squirrels also like to settle in gardens, if there for them qualityliving conditions can be found. Tall deciduous and coniferous trees, maybe a hazelnut bush and there is already the possibility of watching oak cats in your own garden. They build their nests, also known as goblins, to protect them from enemies at a height of at least six meters above the ground, usually directly on the trunk of the tree or on strong forks of branches. Squirrel cats also like to take bought or own built cobels as a place of residence. However, squirrels also have to be on their guard in their new habitat, the garden, because various natural enemies see them as prey.

Pine marten (Martes martes)

It is also known as the “noble marten” because in earlier times its fur was very popular. Pine marten are arguably the squirrels' greatest enemies. Both animals share a territory in their normal habitat. It mainly lives in deciduous and mixed forests, large parks and small field trees. Just like the squirrel, he is an excellent climber and just as nimble. He can turn his feet 180 degrees. During his forays he can end up in the garden at home. Special characteristics of the pine marten are:

• chestnut to dark brown fur
• yellowish-brown throat spot
• 45 to 58 cm body length
• bushy tail, 16 to 28 cm long
• Weight 1 to 1.8 kg
• loner
• nocturnal
• Omnivores: insects, small rodents, birds, eggs, nuts, berries, amphibians

The marten can be very dangerous to squirrels as it rises up during the night Prey hunt goes. Sometimes he can surprise the oak cats in their sleep. Even if the goblin has an entrance and an exit, things can turn out badly for the sleeping animals. With targeted Neck bite the pine marten then kills its victims. The offspring are mainly at risk here. During the day, squirrels have an advantage over the tree marten because of their low weight (200 to 400 g).

Foxes (vulpes vulpes)

Usually the fox lives in the forest and roams meadows and fields on the hunt. But just like the squirrel cats, this nimble predator has adapted to humans. The red fox can be found very often in residential areas, cemeteries and parks. He is nocturnal. Thanks to his excellent sensory organs, he can orient himself very well at night. Typical features for "Reinecke Fuchs" are

• thick fur
• Body length 65 to 75 cm
• Tail length 35 to 45 cm
• reddish on top and white on the belly
• lower part of the legs and black behind the ears
• white throat and tip of tail
• live in a family group
• Omnivores: invertebrates, birds, small mammals, eggs, berries, carrion

Squirrels can have problems when both animals meet on the ground, for example at feeding places. However, the pompon ears will quickly flee to the next tree. Here you are safe from the fox.

Note: Eichkatzen can be supported in the garden by setting up feeding places and bird baths. However, these must not be placed close to the ground, but should always be attached near a thick branch or fork. In this way the animals are protected against predators.

Weasel (Mustela nivalis)

The "little Hermännchen" as it is also called is at home at the edges of the forest, in tree hollows and piles of stones and wood as well as rats and mice. They also like to retreat to barns, stables and attics in winter. Weasels are very dangerous as well aggressive hunters. They are on the hunt every night. Characteristic of these animals are

• Body length between 16 and 23 cm
• Tail length 2 to 8 cm
• brown upper side, belly side white
• brown feet and tail
• mainly crepuscular and nocturnal
• loner
• Food: small mammals, mice, rabbits, birds, reptiles, squirrel cats, moles, eggs

The weasel tracks down its prey by its smell. Most often it also kills much larger animals such as rats and rabbits. The prey is targeted with a neck bite. Weasels can really fall into a "blood frenzy". If they encounter multiple animals, they are all killed first before they are eaten.

Corvidae (Corvidae)

They too belong to the cultural follower of man. They share their habitat with the squirrels and therefore become enemies for the squirrels. They can be found in meadows, forests, cities and industrial areas. They live in family groups. Are particularly dangerous

• Ravens
• crow
• Magpies
• jay

They are considered Omnivores and nest robbers. Their hunting behavior consists of: wait and see, then finally they pounce on their prey. For calibration cats there is mainly danger when both animals meet at feeding places. For example, both of them have a preference for tit dumplings. But they also rob the squirrels' nest and feed the young to their own brood. The young animals in the Kobel are at the mercy of their enemies without protection.

Note: Only about a quarter of young squirrels live to be more than a year old.

Birds of prey (Accipitriformes)

Birds of prey represent a conditional threat to the oak cats. As a rule, they only hunt in their territory. In addition to small mammals such as mice, rats and hamsters, they also eat insects, small birds, reptiles and carrion. It can be dangerous for Sciurus vulgaris if they develop in an open area stop. In the protection of dense bushes and trees there is no threat, because the birds avoid such places for hunting. Particularly dangerous hunters are

• brown owl
• Common buzzard
• hawk
• Eagle owl

Cats

In gardens in particular, cats can pose a real threat to squirrels living there. These loners are active during the day and also at night. They are mainly carnivores. Their prey preferably includes small mammals such as mice, rats and birds. It can be extremely dangerous if the croissant grabs the cat's food. Sometimes it can even be that cats ambush the little runabouts there. Even if cats like to climb, they are not up to the oak cats in this regard.

dogs

Not to be forgotten is the danger posed by dogs in the home garden. However, problems should only arise if squirrels are on the ground and do not notice the threatening danger of the enemy. Otherwise dogs cannot endanger the small rodents.

Fast response required

Due to their excellent hearing and sight, oak cats always have an advantage over their natural predators. With their big eyes are a 360 ° view and spatial perception possible. You have a viewing angle of almost 180 degrees. As a result, they can not only estimate distances, but also spot enemies in good time. As they are nimble climbers, they can quickly retreat. Eichkatzen can easily reach speeds of up to 25 kilometers per hour.

They can become very confusing to their enemies, mainly birds of prey, by putting the small rodents in circular motions run up the tree trunks. It is also no problem for them to get to safety from enemies in the treetops. They then simply drop from above to the earth. Their bushy tail takes on the function of a "parachute". They hardly ever get injuries.

However, the squirrels' natural enemies have little or no significant impact on the reduction in populations. In the garden there are more threatening dangers that can be fatal for squirrel cats

• open rain barrels or
• applied poison such as slug pellets or
• granular garden fertilizer, for example "blue grain"

Note: Squirrel cats have a life expectancy between two and eight years in the wild.