Is this what happens when nuts are in short supply? Do squirrels really resort to eating tree bark? Come on, man, that can’t possibly be that tasty. And just think what it’ll do to your teeth… do you even have a toothpick? How many of the dogs who get walked in the park every morning have peed there? For that matter, how many of the local pigeons have pooed there? I find your taste in…. well, taste to be rather disgusting. There’s gotta be some treat lying around that is more fitting for a squirrel of your stature…
My apologies. How about I make it up to you with the honor of being this week’s Saturday Squirrel? Chew on that for a bit, buddy…
Have a great weekend everyone!
So cute! Our woodchuck baby tried bark… didn’t like it.
Babies are such fussy eaters…
I’ve watched them peel bark off a tree and assumed they used it to plug holes in the walls of their condos but maybe they are eating it – roughage maybe? Yuck!
Pam
Maybe they go for that textured look. Or perhaps they use it to wipe their bums…
ouch…….
Happy weekend. Yup, it’s frequently the meal of choice in my ‘hood. And I have the little chewed up branches in the garden to prove it.
If only they had some little squirrel chew toys to play with…..
They do…it’s known as the landscape and everything seems to be fair game.
Isn’t some tree bark filled with substances that reduce pain &/or induce a high? These squirrels might not be so crazy after all!
I made the aspirin connection in a previous squirrel-chewing-bark post. He could have a headache. I’m not sure it’s the right tree to get a buzz off of, though… at least judging by the leaves.
What a cutie! Maybe squirrels have a purpose when gnawing on stuff but it seems so random to me. They’ve stripped the bark off several branches of the Japanese maple under my kitchen window and now they’ve moved on to chomping on the few squash and pumpkins they didn’t already steal. But they’re so cute I can’t be mad at them!
I think, like most rodents, squirrels’ front teeth never stop growing… so they have to gnaw on things to keep them filed down. Maybe they need little teething rings…
Trisha, good to know. And to think I was blaming my Geese for the pumpkin damage this year! I think I owe my geese an apology. LOL! I would cover them with crates, but the sillies will chew through them to get to the goodies on the other side. They did this in the chicken house to eat the sunflower seeds I stored in there for the wild birds… 😡
That’s a great squirrely closeup Evil! And maybe he was just sharpening his teeth until you came in with your camera and he froze. Lol
Well I’m just glad he didn’t bite me then!
Bark sniffing. It’s the latest craze among young squirrels.
If it will get you high, the kids will do it…
Oh what cuteness. This one is exceptionally sweet. Just look at that little face. Maybe he is just looking for a little extra fiber in his diet. A regular squirrel is a happy squirrel.
You’re right. There’s nothing at all cute and adorable about a constipated squirrel…
Beautiful shot of the squirrel. You have a knack sir!
Squirrel photography takes years and years to master. Right now, I’m getting by on luck!
Our squirrels may eat bark, but when it comes to just pleasure chewing, THAT is what cable wires are for!
Yep, I know all about that. The last cable guy I had out here was telling me about all the squirrel chew he found on the wires outside….. while he was in my computer room filled to the brim with squirrel paraphernalia. Maybe that’s why he didn’t outright condemn their chewing…
Ours do this too! They have been nibbling on my persimmon tree off and on for years. Rascals!
It must taste good! Perhaps you should try it… 😉
Better tree bark than wiring!
Yeah. The squirrel doesn’t get fried and I don’t lose my power…