Tree squirrels, like the Eastern gray squirrel, sound a warning call when a predator is spotted. They rely on their speed and agility to escape predators. Squirrels protect themselves and fellow squirrels by sounding a warning call when predators are noticed. ĭomestic cats are naturally nocturnal and are known predators of the nocturnal northern and southern flying squirrels. Īll cats bite prey at the back of the neck to sever the spinal cord from the brain stem. They are the strictest of all carnivorous mammals but eat grass and other plants occasionally for dietary fiber. Whether it’s a well-fed house kitty or a feral cat, it’s a cat’s natural instinct to prey on birds, small mammals like squirrels, and fish.ĭomestic cats are carnivores with similar nutritional needs as wild cats. Like squirrels, mink can also jump from tree to tree and descend trees head first. This is because minks are excellent tree climbers. Mink can hunt squirrels on the ground, but if the squirrel tries to escape by running up a tree, the mink will follow. They are known to prey on tree squirrels like Eastern grey squirrels. Mink kill their prey with a fatal bite on the neck. Their winter diet is primarily made up of mammals, like mice, muskrats, rabbits, shrews, and squirrels. In summer, mink hunt small rodents and ducks as well as diving for crayfish, frogs, and fish. This medium-sized predator is a strong swimmer. Mink are found in forested areas near water throughout every state of North America, except Arizona, and most of Canada. Mink are known to hunt tree squirrels on the ground and in trees as they are excellent climbers. Wetland marshes and forested areas around streams, ponds, and lakes.

Squirrel hunting