Friendly loveable Squirrels..

[slusher]

On 6/17/2025 at 7:08 PM, A modeler named mike said:

I've been outside with the bowl of peanuts for the last half hour plus letting Chip have at it with self-service. While he's eating, I'm going through and breaking the opened ones and feeding them to him as he comes back. He started cracking into the peanuts, only taking out one of the shells and leaving the remainder behind. I believe he's caught on and is trying to keep me busy. 

Great little film Mike. My wife loves these posts!

[NitroMarty]

Went to visit a friend Saturday. She asked if if I wanted to see the picnic table that she just got for her squirrel buddies 

We stepped out on her backyard deck, looked down in the yard and saw this...

[slusher]

Cute fox squirrel 🐿️ 

[bobss396]

13 hours ago, NitroMarty said:

Went to visit a friend Saturday. She asked if if I wanted to see the picnic table that she just got for her squirrel buddies 

We stepped out on her backyard deck, looked down in the yard and saw this...

I saw one on Instagram that was attached to a tree.

[mk11]

[TonyK]

Haven't seen my buddy Steve for about a month. Steve turned out to be female but I wasn't changing the name. Been around for years and lately had what might be arthritis in the back legs because she had trouble getting around but could still climb the fence. Would come to the patio door and wait and when I'd come out she was at my feet wanting a nut and then ran to the upper backyard where I'd throw food for all the squirrels and birds. Sad, but guessing she's gone now. 😞

First picture is Steve and 2nd picture might be her "kid" because it comes to the door the same way and tries to stay at my feet but just a little too hyper and cautious.

[A modeler named mike]

48 minutes ago, TonyK said:

Haven't seen my buddy Steve for about a month. Steve turned out to be female but I wasn't changing the name. Been around for years and lately had what might be arthritis in the back legs because she had trouble getting around but could still climb the fence. Would come to the patio door and wait and when I'd come out she was at my feet wanting a nut and then ran to the upper backyard where I'd throw food for all the squirrels and birds. Sad, but guessing she's gone now. 😞

First picture is Steve and 2nd picture might be her "kid" because it comes to the door the same way and tries to stay at my feet but just a little too hyper and cautious.

I know we can get attached to our outside buddies almost as much as our inside buddies. I was a bit saddened when my friendly chipmunk wasn't making an appearance earlier this spring. But that day that he finally did show up, I was giddy as ever. Hopefully you're correct and it is Steve's little one carrying on moms legacy. I did read that the average life expectancy of squirrels can vary. Some breeds living longer than others, varying between 1 to 7 years and possibly up to 12 years under the correct conditions. Chipmunks are usually 2 to 3 years. Enjoy them as much as you can while we have the opportunity to.

[bobss396]

Another one in my Bird Buddy....

[bobss396]

Well.. I came across a mummified squirrel while I was cleaning out a corner of my garage on Saturday. 

It must have ventured in when the door was open and got stranded. I never smelled anything however. 

[espo]

I have a window well in my basement model room and heard a noise outside but couldn't see anything when I looked out the window. I have had frogs appear after heavy rains and thought that maybe the issue. Yesterday I was touching up the edging with the weed eater and as I looked down into the window well, I found a baby Rabbit that didn't make it. The Rabbit has been returned to the woods. 

[Mark]

Earlier today, while putting away the lawnmower, I spotted a neighborhood cat taking a squirrel to lunch (not as his guest).  The cat seemed to be proudly strutting down the sidewalk carrying his meal.  I'd have liked to see him making the actual catch, much as I like watching the neighborhood squirrels.

[OldTrucker]

Found three dead squirrels in the yard Saturday evening.

Called a friend that is a game warden, and she came out and took them in to be tested.

Called just a bit ago and it appears they were poisoned with peanuts.

I strongly dislike the little rats with fuzzy tails but would never do something like that. 

Only way I ever killed one was in the woods with a .22 rifle out of a tree and then it became dinner!

Haven't done that since I was a kid.

[espo]

21 hours ago, OldTrucker said:

Found three dead squirrels in the yard Saturday evening.

Called a friend that is a game warden, and she came out and took them in to be tested.

Called just a bit ago and it appears they were poisoned with peanuts.

I strongly dislike the little rats with fuzzy tails but would never do something like that. 

Only way I ever killed one was in the woods with a .22 rifle out of a tree and then it became dinner!

Haven't done that since I was a kid.

Good that you contacted your game warden friend as another form of wildlife, or even a dog or cat, might have eaten them and maybe have been poised themselves. 

[NOBLNG]

Anyone tried feeding them coffee beans?😈  I wonder what a squirrel with a caffeine buzz would be like?😬

Edited September 16 by NOBLNG

[espo]

On 9/16/2025 at 4:52 PM, NOBLNG said:

Anyone tried feeding them coffee beans?😈  I wonder what a squirrel with a caffeine buzz would be like?😬

Do you have any French dark roast beans? 

[TonyK]

I don't usually get too close to the squirrels but set a peanut down on the ledge and he got all excited and grabbed at my hand. Washed it but the wife says I'm gonna get rabies now.

[A modeler named mike]

1 hour ago, TonyK said:

I don't usually get too close to the squirrels but set a peanut down on the ledge and he got all excited and grabbed at my hand. Washed it but the wife says I'm gonna get rabies now.

From what I've read, Squirrels can carry rabies but according to the CDC only 9 cases were reported from 1995 to 2010. But there's always that 1 in a million chance. I'd definitely scrub it with soap and water followed but Hydrogen peroxide. 

[TonyK]

Yes, I washed it with soap and water a couple of times. Didn't use hydrogen peroxide since I've read it can damage or hinder healthy tissue.

I'm no expert on rabies but seems I recall a healthy looking animal is just that. I don't know. Maybe they can be running around with the disease and not show it?

I remember when I was a kid, my sister got bit by one of our hamsters and then it died so my parents had it checked out for any diseases. Turned out it was ok so......

[A modeler named mike]

I did not know that about the peroxide, I just know that was mom's regiment and I'm still alive.😉

🤔 You have a valid point about the possibility of the squirrel not showing signs, newly infected? I hope not..

[TonyK]

I use hydrogen peroxide on bites that need to drain bad stuff out. Otherwise I leave myself alone and let the body do its thing.

If you're of the older generation we're still alive from our parents old world cures. lol

[A modeler named mike]

34 minutes ago, TonyK said:

If you're of the older generation we're still alive from our parents old world cures. lol

Yeah, I'm 65, so I can’t relate 😂

[bobss396]

Hydrogen peroxide is chemically strong stuff, use it initially. I like Bactine going forward with cuts and scrapes.

Best thing initially, warm soap and water, make it bleed if possible.

[espo]

One good thing about using Hydrogen Proxied on an injury, as you pour a little on the injury if it starts to bubble up you know that there is a good chance that there is some infection present and you can decide if you're going to the Hospital or just tuff it out.