Why do squirrels bite bark and spit it out on my patio?

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rangerider7
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Why do squirrels bite bark and spit it out on my patio?

Post by rangerider7 »

It sometimes kills the limb if they chew too much around it. They don't bother my oaks or pecan tree bark. If I catch them chewing or eating my pecans it's me or them and so far I have won that game. By the way it seems to always be males. I figure it has something to do with mating or sharpening their teeth but it always happens at this time of year. They don't eat the piece of bark they just bit it off. RR7
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wm
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Re: Why do squirrels bite bark and spit it out on my patio?

Post by wm »

I seem to recall that one of the traits that sets varmints apart from other animals is that their teeth constantly grow and they have to chew to keep them down to a manageable size. Not sure if this applies to squirrels but I thought I'd toss that theory out there for discussion
Lassiter
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Re: Why do squirrels bite bark and spit it out on my patio?

Post by Lassiter »

I think it might be their way of disrespectin' you................don't know that I'ld take that from a squirrel. Jes sayin'
rangerider7
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Re: Why do squirrels bite bark and spit it out on my patio?

Post by rangerider7 »

I don't, I killed a dozen last year and two this year so far. If they start back talking me, I shoot them even faster. RR7
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Lassiter
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Re: Why do squirrels bite bark and spit it out on my patio?

Post by Lassiter »

Serves the little bushy tailed tree rats right.......... Give 'em an inch and they'll take a mile
Last edited by Lassiter on Mon Jun 09, 2014 9:00 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Bruce Scott
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Re: Why do squirrels bite bark and spit it out on my patio?

Post by Bruce Scott »

There are a couple of theories discussed here:
http://kentuckynativeplantandwildlife.b ... ew-on.html

And...apologies for heading this in another direction but while in Bali recently I saw a couple of adult squirrels munching on young ones in the hotel grounds. Just wondering if cannibalism is a common squirrel trait?
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piller
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Re: Why do squirrels bite bark and spit it out on my patio?

Post by piller »

rangerider7 wrote:I don't, I killed a dozen last year and two this year so far. If they start back talking me, I shoot them even faster. RR7
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Buck Elliott
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Re: Why do squirrels bite bark and spit it out on my patio?

Post by Buck Elliott »

Bruce Scott wrote:There are a couple of theories discussed here:
http://kentuckynativeplantandwildlife.b ... ew-on.html

And...apologies for heading this in another direction but while in Bali recently I saw a couple of adult squirrels munching on young ones in the hotel grounds. Just wondering if cannibalism is a common squirrel trait?
Squirrels, rats, mice, pack rats, prairie dogs are all canniballistic..
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MacEntyre
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Re: Why do squirrels bite bark and spit it out on my patio?

Post by MacEntyre »

It's the constantly growing teeth... same reason bunnies in a cage will chew the wire, and can escape from behind chicken wire. Power companies are constantly fixing aluminum cables that support insulated wires.

Pigs and wolves are also cannibalistic! Ugh!
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Re: Why do squirrels bite bark and spit it out on my patio?

Post by soon 2 retire »

They're getting even with you for not shafting your pecans.



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