What could be cause of squirrel death?
Hello. We have quite a few squirrels in our garden and today I have found a dead one, which is intact, but the only evidence of injury is a red - not bleeding - area around its bottom and tail.
We have tall conifer trees in which we have seen a sparrow hawk and have seen foxes at night. Cats also come into our garden.
I am a bit baffled as to what might have killed the squirrel or its cause of death. I'm a bit concerned if it might have an infection.
Would anyone on here have an idea as it is baffling me?
Thank you
0
Posts
Farmers and game keepers poison squirrels. Don't know if you're near farmland or a large park?
Hello
Thanks for your reply. We've just got houses around us and not very near a farm or park. I'm hoping that it is a one off!
All you can do is keep an eye out, really. It could have eaten rat poison. It might have been caught by the sparrow hawk and dropped. No way of knowing, really. If you see any more you could report it in case someone is putting poison out which other animals could get at
Thanks raisingirl! ?
And of course, even squirrels die of old age, pregnancy complications, liver and kidney disease, tumours, that sort of thing.
You have a point Dove from Above ? It could be something health and age related. Also looking at its spreadeagled arms it could have well fallen in response to an attack by a sparrow hawk and lost its balance. Perhaps something had a nibble of its tail afterwards.
yes dove from above I hadn't thought about mange ? I know squirrels are pretty clever Chloe but I'm not sure about their culinary skills ?
One fell out of a tree onto my dog's head once. He thought it was Christmas
. He has walked along that section of path looking hopefully up ever since
. Just like that 
I can imagine raisingirl! Well hope it doesn't start raining squirrels!!