Sad happening in my neighborhood today
Sep 17, 2021 07:56:42 #
jackm1943 wrote:
For the last few years, we've had a pair of squirr... (show quote)
A few years back, as we were going back to the parking lot, we saw a hawk on the ground with a squirrel under its talons. Then another squirrel popped out from under neath the shrub line behind of the hawk, squealing loudly. It went back in and out, offering itself to draw the hawk away. The hawk looked at it, grabbed the kill it had and flew off. The second squirrel ran up a tree not too far away, stopped half way up and let out a sorrowful cry. It seemed to understand that it suffered a loss.
It was an interesting event showing an example of what animals feel and sound out.
Sep 17, 2021 08:05:14 #
This thread seems to have found a divide between those who are particularly moved by the story and those who are not. Might be a good time to check out Philip Larkin’s poem “The Mower.” Different but similar animal but very emotional and powerful poem. I don’t think copyright laws would let me include it here but it’s a quick Google— Larkin mower— and you’re there.
Sep 17, 2021 08:11:51 #
lamiaceae wrote:
Sad for the critter itself but not an endangered species. Most mammals are promiscuous. But many bird species mate as a couple for life.
Just to be philosophical, the promiscuity among mammals is a survival of the species mechanism. Among the animal kingdom we are relatively slow to reproduce. And do not produce more than a few at a time. We are slow to reach reproduction maturity. Harems among mammals is quite common. One might argue that the nuclear familly among humans is un-natural
Sep 17, 2021 09:49:21 #
jackm1943 wrote:
For the last few years, we've had a pair of squirr... (show quote)
Very important: Do NOT feed the squirrels!!!
Squirrels will chew/eat their way into squirrel-proof bird feeders.
Squirrels nest close to food, water, and shelter (your house/attic).
If you EVER have a squirrel home invasion you will NEVER forget it.
They will literally eat their way into your home to build nests in your attic.
When you can no longer tolerate your nasty unwelcome guests, they will cost you $$$$$$ to
have professionals evict them, provide cleanup, make repairs,
and make your home "Squirrel Proof" after they have been evicted.
I recommend going to the park to feed them and photograph them.
Remember, they are wild rodents and they can/will bite you 30 times in a second,
just like the frame rate of the latest SoCanNik Mirrorless.
Squirrels are cute, photogenic but they do not make me . . .
Smile,
JimmyT Sends
Sep 17, 2021 09:50:04 #
boberic wrote:
Just to be philosophical, the promiscuity among mammals is a survival of the species mechanism. Among the animal kingdom we are relatively slow to reproduce. And do not produce more than a few at a time. We are slow to reach reproduction maturity. Harems among mammals is quite common. One might argue that the nuclear familly among humans is un-natural
Sep 17, 2021 10:25:21 #
Retired CPO wrote:
It's obvious that some of the people in this post need to get a life. WHAT are you thinking??? Nature is a rough place to live in! Happens hundreds of thousands of times a day. Every day! All over the world! 365 days a year! Oh wait, was this intended as a joke?
One man's junk is another man's treasure and one man's annoyance is another man's entertainment. Yes, nature happens but an automobile is not of nature but rather something we humans have foisted on nature which I'm sure is not welcomed!
Sep 17, 2021 11:51:28 #
jackm1943 wrote:
For the last few years, we've had a pair of squirr... (show quote)
Last year I deported 25 Squirrels to the next county.
They were taring up many bird feeders and it just wasn't bearable.
We now have two hanging around and when their population gets any bigger I'll start again.
Sep 17, 2021 12:27:11 #
lenben
Loc: Seattle
Squirrels turned out the lights in my house by chewing through the wires. Had a trapper catch them and repaired the opening they made and no trouble since.
Sep 17, 2021 12:55:52 #
robertjerl wrote:
If it helps I can assure you, if you saw two, ther... (show quote)
Robert, I think you are probably right. Just a few minutes ago I saw two pair of squirrels cavorting within a hundred feet of where I found the dead one yesterday. In 20+ years I've never seen two pairs running around close together in my neighborhood. I don't mind because they have never caused any problems around here other than planting corn all over the neighborhood.
JackM
Sep 17, 2021 14:27:56 #
Jimmy T wrote:
Very important: Do NOT feed the squirrels!!! br Sq... (show quote)
Yes, I would never feed squirrels or in any way encourage them to hang around. They are the only reason I will not put up bird feeders.
Sep 17, 2021 15:37:57 #
charles tabb wrote:
Last year I deported 25 Squirrels to the next county.
They were taring up many bird feeders and it just wasn't bearable.
We now have two hanging around and when their population gets any bigger I'll start again.
They were taring up many bird feeders and it just wasn't bearable.
We now have two hanging around and when their population gets any bigger I'll start again.
In many states it is not legal to transport wild animals without a permit. You can relocate them on your property or you can kill them (if they're not protected).
Sep 17, 2021 16:40:18 #
TheShoe
Loc: Lacey, WA
sodapop wrote:
Squirrels have done a lot of costly damage to condos in our neighborhood. Getting into attics etc, and chewing wiring and actually walls.
There were a couple of walnut trees in our yard when I was young. One day, our next door neighbor was cussing about the squirrels. When we asked why he was cussing he told us that while the family was eating breakfast there was a loud crash in the bedroom. He rushed back to see what happened. There was about a ton of walnuts that had crashed through the ceiling. He and his wife had been hearing noises in the attic that they never investigated. There were so many walnuts in the attic that they literally had to use shovels to scoop them out. Recovery, including squirrel-proofing, was not cheap.
Sep 17, 2021 17:07:49 #
Not only might it be illegal to transport squirrels somewhere else, but if you move them from an urban/suburban area to a rural or wilderness type place, they will probably not last long. They will not be used to avoiding the predators in their new home.
Sep 17, 2021 20:11:53 #
"The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated. I hold that the more helpless a creature the more entitled it is to protection by man from the cruelty of humankind."
Mahatma Gandhi
Mahatma Gandhi
Sep 17, 2021 23:29:15 #
jackm1943 wrote:
For the last few years, we've had a pair of squirr... (show quote)
It is always sad to see a part of nature get taken away by man made causes. Tree squirrels are much cleaner than ground squirrels (they can carry plague fleas), but the tree squirrels also eat through telephone and TV cable wires. That happens regularly here. I just wish there was a better way for us to interface with nature without either suffering consequences.
Cheers to friendly squirrels.
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