Skwerl Does not like being held!

[Amathis84]

My little girl is approximately 15 weeks old. She is extremely hyper and runs around almost non stop! She allows me to pet her and she plays with me by boxing my hand and fingers and biting (not hard) me! She will let me hold her in one hand for a few brief seconds but as soon as my second hand gets on her she takes off! If I try to grab her she sinks her claws in my clothes, couch or whatever she is on and squeals and does not let go easily!

My question is, is this normal behavior for a young lady squirrel or is this something that could possibly indicate a wild one to come?

Oh, also! I talk squirrel talk to her quite a bit and she will chatter a little and start dancing with her back feet and tail. Well yesterday we were talking and she jumped on my head and pee'd on my head:soapbox ! I was just reading yesterday about a few people stating that their squirrel pee's on them when they are let out of the cage and I said man that must suck! Welllll it does, especially when it runs down the side of your head and into your ear!!! YUKK

[Sweet Simon's Mommy]

Hi there:wave123
I too posed this question more than once, and yes it is normal.
Squirrels are prey animals and being in ones clutches is frightening to them, mine still growls at me when i hold him.

[rocky63]

amathis84
I'm not an expert but it sounds like your little one does not want to bond with you. the peeing on your head might be a sign:nono Are you going to release her?
Is she a gray or a red squirrel? I'm just guessing but the dance seems like the dance a red does.:crazy

[IrishHarps]

I'm not an expert either, but ditto on the other poster - squirrels are prey animals and it freaks them out being held. It is better to try and coax her into the palm of your (open) hand. We only ever try and "hold" ours if she needs to go back into her cage and doesn't behave and cooperate. Holding is like a punishment for them, and you can't explain to them that you mean no harm.

It's better to let her sit on you and pet her calmly, talking in soothing tones, when you can.

[astra]

no, not wanting to be held is not necessarily a wilding up sign.
A lot of squirrels (and other little prey animals) do not like to be held or picked up, maybe, it has to do with them being prey - b/c picking up, holding might have some similarity to a swooping predator gesture, as well as a sense of loss of control (imagine someone picking you up, or holding you with both hands ;)).

Although, squirrels who were held and picked up as babies are less resistant to being held and picked up. But again, not always. Has a lot to do with personality.

IN any case, no, it does not have to do with wilding up.

BUT the stomping of feet and chattering is not something you want to encourage - those are warning "stay away, or else" body language. Stomping is often called "war dance". Perhaps, whatever squirrel talk you are using does not convey a message of peace ;). So, be careful what you say in the language you are not familiar with.

There are certain things that you can imitate that seem to be ok, but... I don't remember them all. One of them is sort of like purring. Often, squirrels purr in pleasure, similar to how cats purr. They can also make grunting noises as a sign of pleasure, BUT you have to be really careful with those because there are some other grunting sounds that are an expression of displeasure.

Yeah, peeing is... well...:D

[Amathis84]

The only time I would grab here was actually to bring her to her cage. Then I started to think, well maybe she associates being grabbed with being put in her cage. So I started grabbing here a little more thinking maybe she would associate it with being pet, fed etc. vs going straight to the cage! I did think maybe she associates it with a bird or other predators but wasn't for sure...

I never imagined the dancing and batting of the tail was out of mean spirit or aggression! Usually, immediately after her little show she runs up to me and starts pulling on my fingers and instagating me to play with her! Maybe she is just picking a fight after a war cry/dance? LoL IDK...

After thinking about it, the peeing actually came after one of our talks lol... Maybe I said something that P'd her off! That may have been our last conversation in squirrel talk!!!

[Amathis84]

amathis84
I'm not an expert but it sounds like your little one does not want to bond with you. the peeing on your head might be a sign:nono Are you going to release her?
Is she a gray or a red squirrel? I'm just guessing but the dance seems like the dance a red does.:crazy


She seems to have bonded with me pretty well! I have had a few friends come by and she has really really bit them hard(drawing blood and leaving bruises). The only thing I can figure out is she doesn't like strangers! She has only drawn blood from me once, it happened to be while she had a nut in her little (not so) innocent hands!

She is a gray squirrel... The dance is really something to see! She chatters, dances and starts with the batting of the tail. I thought it was friendly but I'm not so sure anymore after the pee'ing on my head deal! My girlfriend got a real kick out of it but I didn't! The squirrel and I were talking and suddenly, she ran up to me, onto my shoulder and finally reaching my head. I felt her tap tap tap (dancing) then I felt (what I was hoping was her tail) something slowly going down the side of my head! A little disrespectful I thought, but nothing a shower and soap couldn't take care of!

[IrishHarps]

As far as the fear of being held goes, since it's such an ingrained biological response, I don't think you'll ever be able to "train it out of her." Many prey animals, across different species (from squirrels to sugar gliders) have an innate fear reaction to being held.

If you can, try to get her in the cage by other means (sometimes they just won't go in and you have to put them back, but try coaxing and other methods first).

Don't worry - it's not just you :) The same thing would happen for any squirrel.

[astra]

She seems to have bonded with me pretty well! I have had a few friends come by and she has really really bit them hard(drawing blood and leaving bruises). The only thing I can figure out is she doesn't like strangers! She has only drawn blood from me once, it happened to be while she had a nut in her little (not so) innocent hands!

She is a gray squirrel... The dance is really something to see! She chatters, dances and starts with the batting of the tail. I thought it was friendly but I'm not so sure anymore after the pee'ing on my head deal! My girlfriend got a real kick out of it but I didn't! The squirrel and I were talking and suddenly, she ran up to me, onto my shoulder and finally reaching my head. I felt her tap tap tap (dancing) then I felt (what I was hoping was her tail) something slowly going down the side of my head! A little disrespectful I thought, but nothing a shower and soap couldn't take care of!

wait, so your girlfriend was there when she stomped and chattered?... that might the reason for the stomping and chattering, too - first of, a new person, and second of, maybe she didn't like your girlfriend, or something about her, the way you talked, maybe, laughed etcetc spooked her and she expressed it through her "war dance."
Squirrels can be spooked by the tiniest things.

Another thing - since you are in an illegal state, it might not be a good idea to show her to everyone.
First of, you can run into a busy-body, do-gooder who will report you.
Second, even if your friends and family are all great and nice, they may accidentally blurt it out somewhere and someone might report you.
Or, if she ends up biting and scratching someone, that might end up in reporting, too.
Reporting means she will be seized from you and euthanized.
So, in illegal states it is always best to keep them nice and low.

[Amathis84]

[QUOTE=astra]wait, so your girlfriend was there when she stomped and chattered?... that might the reason for the stomping and chattering, too - first of, a new person, and second of, maybe she didn't like your girlfriend, or something about her, the way you talked, maybe, laughed etcetc spooked her and she expressed it through her "war dance."
Squirrels can be spooked by the tiniest things.


My girlfriend lives with me and takes care of her as well. She does not mind my gf at all. When she does the dancing and chattering it's usually because I talk to her or the dogs are around. Very rarely does she do it without either of those taking place. She has also done it when she was able to see herself in the mirror this week. I thought it was a communication of excitment, but now I know it's not a positive excitement. I will start to pay attention to those actions and see what puts her in this mood and adjust. Like I said before, usually when she is out and we are talking she always runs up after she stops and plays with my hands...

[Amathis84]

As far as the fear of being held goes, since it's such an ingrained biological response, I don't think you'll ever be able to "train it out of her." Many prey animals, across different species (from squirrels to sugar gliders) have an innate fear reaction to being held.

If you can, try to get her in the cage by other means (sometimes they just won't go in and you have to put them back, but try coaxing and other methods first).

Don't worry - it's not just you :) The same thing would happen for any squirrel.


I put a new cozy box and a hammock in her cage and she goes in there a little easier now. At first she did not like me taking her house out nor did she like the new things hanging in her cage. I put her old blanket in her new cozy home and she seems to like it a lot!

What do yall use to keep the gates closed? I'm using bread ties because she quickly learned how to open the gates on her cage? I'm currently using a 18"x36"x38" bird cage. It has 6 gates with three on the bottom. I don't have problems with the gates up top because she isn't strong enough to open those without a good stance, but I have a feeling that she will be strong enough pretty soon!

[astra]

sorry, based on your last post, another question: you have dogs around?

Please keep them completely separated:

1. Dogs are predators. Their predator instincts are strong and fast, and tragedy might happen before you know it.

2. She needs to retain her fear of predators. She should not get even the slightest idea that dogs might be ok and safe.
If she gets used to them being around, she will start feeling safe around them. Even if it is just a little safe - it's already too safe.
Dogs kill them in the wild. And that's one of the major death causes of squirrels who were raised by humans without following this rule.

She should not see you interact with dogs safely either. You, or now, since your girlfriend lives with you, your girlfriend.
Since both of you are her caretakers, she takes all cues from you (like baby squirrels do in the wild - from their mother).
If she sees both and/or one of you interact with dogs safely, she will assume that dogs are safe.

So, please keep them completely separated.:grouphug

[Scooterzmom]

Hi amethys:

First off: chettering teeth, foot stomping and tail flickering... that in squirrel language means "beware" or "I hate this, I don't like it it scares me" (whatever the "this" is in her mind... can be a cat outside, a stranger in the house, something she even imagines in her own little head or hears that YOU don't hear... whatever). So, do NOT try to pick her up or stroke her when she does that... just talk to her reassuringly, but do not try to touch her. Just lean in, slightly, your face not too close to her, and keep talking quietly, that's all. She - from what you said - tolerates your GF but squirrels are a one person animal and she's saying she doesn't really trust your GF.

Second: The peeing is like the proof of the above. She apparently is marking you as HERS, as her territory... and telling your GF , or other "perceived threats", that SHE has the claim to you.

Third: Even the most tame squirrels can be temperamental and very possessive of nuts. E.g. Hami (who is 1.5 yr old) is so tame that he will let me take away food from his mouth at any time, will even let me take away the avocado or boo-balls (which he is totally crazy about, both) but he will growl if I try to get my hand too close to the nut when he's munching on one. I have managed to tame him to accept being stroked while eating a nut but I did that by my hand ONLY REACHING from behind while I stand in front of him and by simply very gently and only for a brief moment stroking him on his back while my body language clearly indicates to him that I'm not the least bit interested in the nut. Even then, he will still growl on occasion and then I don't even try to stroke him, I let him do his thing while I just talk to him. All in all I don't suggest you even try that. Just saying...

With squirrels it's all about respecting them and paying a lot of attention to their body language. It's like, OK I'm giving you room to breathe, I'm letting you be yourself... and in return they will tolerate a lot more from you. And ohh... basically it's always give a lot more room to her than you expect bak in return :D. Watch, observe, listen... see if the behavior is repeated and under what circumstanec and you will learn her language as time goes by. :)

For the gates you might consider D rings... the kind that screws closed. They're easy, too big/hard to be chewed off, and those little squirrel fingers cannot manage to open them

[Amathis84]

sorry, based on your last post, another question: you have dogs around?

Please keep them completely separated:

1. Dogs are predators. Their predator instincts are strong and fast, and tragedy might happen before you know it.

2. She needs to retain her fear of predators. She should not get even the slightest idea that dogs might be ok and safe.
If she gets used to them being around, she will start feeling safe around them. Even if it is just a little safe - it's already too safe.
Dogs kill them in the wild. And that's one of the major death causes of squirrels who were raised by humans without following this rule.

She should not see you interact with dogs safely either. You, or now, since your girlfriend lives with you, your girlfriend.
Since both of you are her caretakers, she takes all cues from you (like baby squirrels do in the wild - from their mother).
If she sees both and/or one of you interact with dogs safely, she will assume that dogs are safe.

So, please keep them completely separated.:grouphug

I do not let her out while they are around for sure. Her cage is in the living room and my two dogs are inside dogs for the most part. She will not be released into the wild so she will never be around dogs in the wild. I know it's still probably a no no but as long as I keep them seperated she will be fine.

[jo_schmoe]

Hi amethys:

First off: chettering teeth, foot stomping and tail flickering... that in squirrel language means "beware" or "I hate this, I don't like it it scares me" (whatever the "this" is in her mind... can be a cat outside, a stranger in the house, something she even imagines in her own little head or hears that YOU don't hear... whatever). So, do NOT try to pick her up or stroke her when she does that... just talk to her reassuringly, but do not try to touch her. Just lean in, slightly, your face not too close to her, and keep talking quietly, that's all. She - from what you said - tolerates your GF but squirrels are a one person animal and she's saying she doesn't really trust your GF.

Second: The peeing is like the proof of the above. She apparently is marking you as HERS, as her territory... and telling your GF , or other "perceived threats", that SHE has the claim to you.

Third: Even the most tame squirrels can be temperamental and very possessive of nuts. E.g. Hami (who is 1.5 yr old) is so tame that he will let me take away food from his mouth at any time, will even let me take away the avocado or boo-balls (which he is totally crazy about, both) but he will growl if I try to get my hand too close to the nut when he's munching on one. I have managed to tame him to accept being stroked while eating a nut but I did that by my hand ONLY REACHING from behind while I stand in front of him and by simply very gently and only for a brief moment stroking him on his back while my body language clearly indicates to him that I'm not the least bit interested in the nut. Even then, he will still growl on occasion and then I don't even try to stroke him, I let him do his thing while I just talk to him. All in all I don't suggest you even try that. Just saying...

With squirrels it's all about respecting them and paying a lot of attention to their body language. It's like, OK I'm giving you room to breathe, I'm letting you be yourself... and in return they will tolerate a lot more from you. And ohh... basically it's always give a lot more room to her than you expect bak in return :D. Watch, observe, listen... see if the behavior is repeated and under what circumstanec and you will learn her language as time goes by. :)

For the gates you might consider D rings... the kind that screws closed. They're easy, too big/hard to be chewed off, and those little squirrel fingers cannot manage to open them
:goodpost :goodpost
the only thing I can think to add is that to remember that your guy is only 15 weeks old...and already showing signs of aggression....even though its not totally directed at you......yet. Just be careful....as they grow older...the aggression could get worse.

[Amathis84]

Hi amethys:

First off: chettering teeth, foot stomping and tail flickering... that in squirrel language means "beware" or "I hate this, I don't like it it scares me" (whatever the "this" is in her mind... can be a cat outside, a stranger in the house, something she even imagines in her own little head or hears that YOU don't hear... whatever). So, do NOT try to pick her up or stroke her when she does that... just talk to her reassuringly, but do not try to touch her. Just lean in, slightly, your face not too close to her, and keep talking quietly, that's all. She - from what you said - tolerates your GF but squirrels are a one person animal and she's saying she doesn't really trust your GF.

Second: The peeing is like the proof of the above. She apparently is marking you as HERS, as her territory... and telling your GF , or other "perceived threats", that SHE has the claim to you.

Third: Even the most tame squirrels can be temperamental and very possessive of nuts. E.g. Hami (who is 1.5 yr old) is so tame that he will let me take away food from his mouth at any time, will even let me take away the avocado or boo-balls (which he is totally crazy about, both) but he will growl if I try to get my hand too close to the nut when he's munching on one. I have managed to tame him to accept being stroked while eating a nut but I did that by my hand ONLY REACHING from behind while I stand in front of him and by simply very gently and only for a brief moment stroking him on his back while my body language clearly indicates to him that I'm not the least bit interested in the nut. Even then, he will still growl on occasion and then I don't even try to stroke him, I let him do his thing while I just talk to him. All in all I don't suggest you even try that. Just saying...

With squirrels it's all about respecting them and paying a lot of attention to their body language. It's like, OK I'm giving you room to breathe, I'm letting you be yourself... and in return they will tolerate a lot more from you. And ohh... basically it's always give a lot more room to her than you expect bak in return :D. Watch, observe, listen... see if the behavior is repeated and under what circumstanec and you will learn her language as time goes by. :)

For the gates you might consider D rings... the kind that screws closed. They're easy, too big/hard to be chewed off, and those little squirrel fingers cannot manage to open them



Yea, I'm kinda disappointed that the dance wasn't out of happiness lol. It's such a cute little deal to be so negative! BUT, it is what it is and I have to do my best from keeping situations that encourage this war dance at bay! I mess with her quite a bit and do all of the feeding, so it sounds like you are right, she has picked her human. Saying that, she still plays with my girlfriend and does not mind her at all.

Although I appreciate the thought of her accepting me and marking me as her human, I don't really care to be pee'd on. I don't mind my leg, arm, etc. but the head is now off limits for her lol!

I just give her all the space in the world while she is eating! If my hand comes close to her while she is eating, she holds the food in her mouth and comes funning with her hands swatting, trying to grab ahold of my hand! I'm not giving her any nuts for a few weeks due to MBD, but she is aggressive with almost all foods. Last night I was kind of surprised when I fed her because she wasn't bad. I woke her up around 10PM to give her medicine and a vegetable and she did not take it from me. She ate the cucumber and would not take it out of my hand. Usually, she rips the food out of my fingers and runs off. She may be coming around in realizing that I'm not stealing her food, but it will be a long time before I pet her while she is eating haha!

I have learned a lot from this community and will continue to do so. There are things that I have noticed that I probably would not have without you guys! :thankyou for the wise info and help!

[Amathis84]

:goodpost :goodpost
the only thing I can think to add is that to remember that your guy is only 15 weeks old...and already showing signs of aggression....even though its not totally directed at you......yet. Just be careful....as they grow older...the aggression could get worse.


I'm def keeping my eye open to the possibility! The only time she shows real aggression is with food. The chattering and dancing, which I did not know was aggression, never really seemed aggressive because she would always run up to me and start playing. The only time she would get to chattering and stomping is when I would start talking to her in squirrel talk lol. I've cut it out and she didn't really do it all weekend.

Only time will tell!!

[Kristal]

That's very well put, Astra and Scooterzmom. :)

For myself, the pee does not bother me much anymore. It doesn't smell like anything, anyway. They have got to be the nicest smelling animals ever, squirrels :)

Try doing the purr-buzz sound at her, or do the eyes close + lip smack gesture. Those are friendly gestures.

[sdreamcatcher]

My boys don't like being held, though Butchie tolerates it slightly better . I try not to grab them, but when they need to be in cage, I offer a small handful of treats (peanuts or other nuts), hold the treats up, call their names (yes!! they know their names extremely well!!), and pat my shoulder. Butchie will jump to my shoulder and stay with me, usually holding onto the hand with the treats, lol (they are not food aggressive). Joey runs along the boards and follows me to his cage. They see me put the treats in the cage and go right in. I put them in far enough that I can safely close the door without them trying to bolt back out (they rarely try this now). This works very well; they get something positive for going home, and no one gets stressed with being grabbed (and I don't get scratched).


I also randomly call my boys by name, for food or play/petting. I have done this since they were little and it's such second nature for them to come when called. I have wilds outside who come to their names or me clicking my teeth; quite cute to see them running along the wires or over tree branches and roofs, or along the windowsill to get their food :) :D.

Your girl is still pretty young so eventually she may wild up. As far as peeing on you , my boys went through that phase too when they younger; especially when they were excited. They do still pee on me from time to time but not as much now. She may grow out of it. I also "talk" to them, pretty cute when they scold back. Butchie especially swishes his tail if I tell him no; Joey just has this "Whatever, I am only humoring you" attitude :P.

[sdreamcatcher]

That's very well put, Astra and Scooterzmom. :)

For myself, the pee does not bother me much anymore. It doesn't smell like anything, anyway. They have got to be the nicest smelling animals ever, squirrels :)

Try doing the purr-buzz sound at her, or do the eyes close + lip smack gesture. Those are friendly gestures.

Good to know!! I have been watching their body language and trying to imitate it a bit, will try these with my boys :) They are so smart, learning MY language, but I would love to know more of theirs :).

[Margie]

My Stormy Lee didn't find her "mean voice" until she saw her reflection in a mirror. She didn't like the idea of another squirrel in her territory. I use the snaps like are on the end of a dog leash to keep the doors of the cage closed. They are easy to take off and put on, yet Stormy can't remove them.

[Kristal]

Good to know!! I have been watching their body language and trying to imitate it a bit, will try these with my boys :) They are so smart, learning MY language, but I would love to know more of theirs :).

Bruxing seems to be another friendly expression. When I pet my guys they will often brux as they relax. Also, I am befriending a timid, wild, juvie-adult, and he definitely seems to respond to it. I do a little pseudo brux when he is watching me, and he does one back. Gentle bruxing is thought to mean relaxed contentedness and pleasure in rats.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n6-UmBvtIB4
You see how he looks like he is nibbling and gently grinding his molars? That's a happy, friendly brux.

[Kristal]

And oh right, I will add my voice to the others who have said so:

When I read the title of this thread, the first thought was, "well, duh, have you ever met a squirrel before?". Squirrels hate being held. End of. It's very unusual and very much against their instincts to allow us to do it. It has nothing to do with wilding up or anything. Just let her be a squirrel :) They are not really pets, after all.

[Darwin's Momma]

I have seen some pictures on here of squirrels while they were being held, however my Darwin does not like it one bit. To get him back in his cage I will put a little avacado on a napkin and put it in the cage. I like the napkin because it makes it a little harder for him to just grab it and dart back out of the cage.

As far as being a bit aggresive towards other people, I noticed that as Darwin grew older he tolerated other people around him less and less. For the safety of my family I only let him loose in my room with the door shut now. He only had to go after my mom once for me to quickly squash the thought that he will be as gentle with other people as he is with me. Their teeth can do a lot of damage and most people won't accept being attacked. It only got worse as he grew older, I don't remember the age it started though. This is not to say that he is neccesarily "wilding up" as he is still as loving and gentle with me as he always was. It's something to be aware of though.

Sometimes Darwin will do the same dance you mentioned while looking out the window. As much as I don't think he will attack me, I am still cautious when he's in that "mode". I just talk to him nicely and tell him he's safe (they don't understand your words, but they do understand your tone). He eventually calms down and it's like nothing ever happened.

Just a quick note about the dogs- I saw that you mentioned you aren't going to release your squirrel. There is always the possibility that the squirrel could get out by accident. If that did happen, you would want her to have a healthy fear of other animals. I also read on here a while back a heartbreaking story of the family dogs knocking over the squirrel cage in the living room and killing them. I don't mean to scare you at all, but sometimes we don't even think of these possibilities until we are confronted with them. I am probably (very) guilty of worrying too much, but we love these animals dearly and want them (and our family/friends) to be safe. Good luck with her and got any pictures??:)

[JLM27]

You may be imitating their alarm calls. I think that their casual conversation is pitched out of the range of human hearing. You may be calling danger or that you are going to rip her a new one. I would try to capture real squirrel talk with some sophisticated sound recording, if you are really interested. Catch the inaudible stuff. Stretching both arms out as far as they will go with palms fully open, hands not curved, is a peace sign as far as I can tell. Putting the head way down to the front paws like dogs do is another sign of passivity.

[Kristal]

Oh right, yea, I raised my guys with a healthy fear of dogs even though there is probably nothing for them to worry about with my dog. It's such a drag to have to do that, but after reading the horror stories of dogs and squirrels on this forum, I felt like I needed to do that for their safety. I don't know how friendly they are by now, but if not really, then you should think about separating them before it gets worse :( Sorry to bear bad news like this.

[Kristal]

You may be imitating their alarm calls.

Hehe, that is what everyone has been politely skirting around up until now ;)

Yes, you are almost certainly doing that, to be blunt about it :p You might even be saying something aggressive in squirrelese :)

[sdreamcatcher]

Stretching both arms out as far as they will go with palms fully open, hands not curved, is a peace sign as far as I can tell.

Mimicking that with both my boys and young wilds gets very interesting results. The boys come to me of course, and the wilds really pay attention and seem to visibly relax.

Speaking of calming animals; when I was trying to reassure feral cats and shy domestic kitties, I learned blinking and yawning went a very long way :).

[sdreamcatcher]

Oh right, yea, I raised my guys with a healthy fear of dogs even though there is probably nothing for them to worry about with my dog. It's such a drag to have to do that, but after reading the horror stories of dogs and squirrels on this forum, I felt like I needed to do that for their safety. I don't know how friendly they are by now, but if not really, then you should think about separating them before it gets worse :( Sorry to bear bad news like this.


If I even think the boys are too close to the dogs/cats, I mimic their chattering/scolding sound, sometimes with the stomping as well. I want them to KNOW dogs and cats equals danger, always!! Butchie will do this on his own and I reinforce by joining in (I notice outside other wilds will join in if one is scolding). Both boys are quite wary of the dogs/cats and do avoid them. When I am not in the room, the dogs go outside, or the boys are caged. Cats sleep most of the day so they have their own retreat the boys don't have access to.

[Izzie]

My Foxer girl is the same way. I play with her on her own terms and try to encourage trust by stroking her while she's relaxed and sleepy in her hammock. She will then offer me her underarms and throat to be stroked. I only pick her up briefly to move her somewhere and hold her as loosely as possible or she becomes agitated and fearful. I can lift her under her arms to trim her nails if I distract her with a walnut or almond and support her in a loose grip. She needs a weekly nail trim so that I don't get scratched and she doesn't rip out her toenails. As for the "squirrel talk" ... if you're chittering at her, she probably takes that as hostility or fear. The tail flicking and stomping is antagonistic behavior. But I wouldn't read too much into getting pee'd on.