You probably see squirrels just about every day, but have you ever wondered what usually ends their lives? Predators and accidents—especially cars—are the top killers of squirrels, particularly in neighborhoods and cities. This fact really shapes how squirrels behave, and it’s the focus for the rest of this post.
We’ll look at how predators, diseases, harsh winters, and human stuff like roads and power lines all cut squirrel lives short. If you’re curious about how to spot these risks and what you can do to help, stick around.
Primary Causes of Squirrel Deaths
Most squirrels die because of cars, predators, diseases, or poisons. Each of these dangers hits squirrels harder in certain places and at different times of year.
Road Mortality and Vehicles
Cars and trucks take out a huge number of squirrels each year. Squirrels dash across roads chasing food or moving between trees, and drivers rarely have time to brake.
Busy streets in neighborhoods or near parks are the worst. If you notice a lot of roadkill or see roads with trees lining both sides, that’s a danger zone for squirrels.
You can help by slowing down, trimming roadside plants, or even pushing for wildlife crossing signs. Some cities build tunnels or rope bridges so small animals can cross safely. It’s kind of amazing when you think about it.
Predation by Foxes, Coyotes, and Other Animals
A lot of squirrels fall prey to animals like foxes, coyotes, hawks, and owls. Even outdoor cats and dogs get in on the action, especially in backyards and parks.
Squirrels try to escape by climbing or darting along branches, but young, sick, or distracted ones get caught more often. In winter, when food gets scarce, predators have an easier time.
If you keep your yard tidy and don’t leave pet food outside, you can make your place less attractive to predators. It’s a small thing, but it helps.
Diseases Impacting Squirrels
Diseases can wipe out whole groups of squirrels. Squirrelpox virus, especially where gray squirrels mix with native reds, causes awful skin sores and kills a lot of red squirrels.
Other threats include bacteria like Bartonella, viruses that act like distemper, and nasty parasites. Sick squirrels might look tired, lose fur, act weird, or show sores.
Feeding wildlife in groups spreads diseases faster. If you see a sick squirrel, don’t touch it—call your local wildlife folks. Reporting weird die-offs can help catch outbreaks early.
Poisoning and Toxic Exposures
Poisons kill squirrels, sometimes on purpose but often by accident. Anticoagulant rodenticides cause internal bleeding days after a squirrel eats them. Baits like zinc phosphide are deadly too, and squirrels might find poisoned rodents or bait left out.
Garden pesticides and chemical runoff add to the risk. You can cut down on this by using non-chemical pest control and keeping trash secure.
If you spot a squirrel acting dizzy, bleeding, or twitching, reach out to a wildlife rehabilitator right away. Keeping toxins out of reach protects squirrels, pets, and even the predators that might eat poisoned animals.
- Key terms to watch: road mortality, foxes and coyotes, squirrelpox virus (squirrel pox), distemper-like viruses, Bartonella, anticoagulant rodenticides, and zinc phosphide.
Reducing Squirrel Mortality and Human Impacts
You can help squirrels by protecting their habitats, supporting safer roads and parks, and knowing what to do if you find a hurt or dead animal. Even small changes around your home or neighborhood make a difference.
Habitat Destruction and Environmental Changes
When people cut down trees and shrubs for new buildings or roads, squirrels lose places to nest and find food. You can support local rules that keep big trees and native plants in parks and yards.
Planting oaks, maples, and nut shrubs gives squirrels food and shelter. Fragmented habitats force squirrels to cross roads more often, which is risky.
Ask your city to save green corridors or limit tree removal near squirrel hangouts. Community tree-planting days or volunteering with local conservation groups can help keep squirrel populations healthy.
Avoid using rodenticides or strong pesticides near trees and gardens. These chemicals can poison squirrels or wipe out the bugs and seeds they eat. Wildlife-friendly gardening and pesticide-free zones make a real difference.
Wildlife Crossings and Urban Planning
Cities can cut roadkill by building wildlife corridors and crossings in the right places. If you notice lots of dead squirrels on certain roads, let your local transportation or parks department know.
Sometimes, all it takes is lowering speed limits in green neighborhoods or adding animal crossing signs. Overpasses, underpasses, and even vegetated medians give squirrels safer routes.
Protect trees near roads—they act like natural bridges. Suggest planting more trees in lines that connect green spaces, so squirrels can travel above the traffic.
When developers plan new projects, ask for buffers of native plants between roads and green areas. It’s a small ask, but it can save lives.
How to Prevent Squirrel Deaths
Make your yard safer by keeping bird feeders away from busy roads and close to trees. Don’t leave food scraps or unsecured trash outside, since that draws squirrels into danger. A secure compost bin helps too.
If you drive where wildlife is common, slow down and watch for animals, especially early and late in the day. Use your turn signals and brake gently if a squirrel runs out—you don’t want to swerve and risk a crash.
Keep pets leashed or supervised outdoors. Cats and dogs sometimes chase or hurt squirrels. If you feed wildlife, use feeders that don’t attract animals to roads and clean up spilled seeds as soon as you can.
What to Do with a Dead Squirrel
So, you’ve found a dead squirrel on public land. Honestly, it’s not the most pleasant surprise. Go ahead and call your local animal control or parks department. Most cities actually track roadkill to figure out where animals cross and where they need to clean up.
Try to give them the exact spot and describe the condition. They’ll let you know what to do next.
Never pick up a dead squirrel with your bare hands. If you really have to move it off your driveway or sidewalk, grab some gloves and a shovel—or even a thick plastic bag.
Seal the squirrel in a bag. Then check your local guidelines. Some places let you bury it on your property, but others want animal control to handle it.
If the squirrel looks sick or you stumble across several dead ones in the same area, that’s a red flag. You should contact public health or wildlife officials. It could mean there’s a disease going around, or maybe there’s something toxic in the environment.
