[NatureNS] Strange squirrel behaviour - NYC

Date: Wed, 01 Oct 2014 12:47:06 -0400
From: Fred Schueler <bckcdb@istar.ca>
To: naturens@chebucto.ns.ca, Marg Millard <mmillard@eastlink.ca>
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Quoting Marg Millard <mmillard@eastlink.ca>:

> Yes, for sure Squirrels will eat meat. Not only do they rob bird  
> nests for eggs, they take young and feed on them. I have seen this.  
> I have seen them take away chunks of my seed cakes that are suet and  
> that has meat scraps in it. As to the situation you saw, I don't  
> suppose we'll ever know. It can be an eye opener when you watch the  
> food chains.

* Decades ago there was a paper in American Naturalist that showed  
that it was only locomotory limitations that kept any Rodent from  
eating meat - their incisors apply as much force as any Carnivore -  
Red Squirrels eat nestlings, and Beavers eat clams - and if they can  
get meat they heartily appreciate the protein and fats. I find this  
principle very useful in not being surprised in situations like this.

fred.
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