Wild Fact #980 – Squirrel Chatter
Photo Courtesy of Lee's Photoblog at http://wildlife.aminus3.com/. Thanks Lee!
One of my readers asked a question regarding squirrel communication. They wanted to know if a squirrel is similar to the chickadee. Remember in Wild Fact #991 when I explained how the number of “dees” at the end of the call will often relate to the danger of the threat below.
You can always hear squirrels chattering away in the trees. Generally, these vocalizations are more related to the possessive nature of the squirrel. Basically, if something (or someone) comes into their territory or near their food source or anything that they think is theirs, they will chirp, chirp and chirp some more. All they are saying is “this is mine so you better back off”. They are similar to the “Mine, Mine, Mine” gulls in Finding Nemo. As well, squirrel chatter will increase during mating season, which is between February and March and again between June and July (although these times could be later in more northern latitudes). Squirrels will also make a lot of racket to warn other squirrels of potential predators but to this point there has been no proof as to whether or not they distinguish between the severity of the threat. One of the more interesting techniques that squirrels use for communicating is the flicking of their tail. Quite often they will put on an impressive display with their tail to get a point across. On a side note, they also use their large tails to protect them from the sun, rain and cold. As well, it provides the perfect balancing pole for those tricky tight rope walks through the trees. Even though, the squirrel is very vocal, I would be willing to bet that most of those vocalizations outside of the mating season are to say that this is their “whatever” and to back away.
So, now comes the hard part, try not to get too offended the next time you are filling up the bird feeder and your friendly, neighbourhood squirrel is chirping away at you. Remember, the squirrel thinks that food is theirs!!
