Tail Flicking - what does it mean?

[Rebel Rescue]

Over the last week or so, we've all noticed when we give Rebel a firm verbal reprimand for getting into something that's not good for him, he does the same thing almost every time. He stops what he was doing, runs to the top of his cage, hunches up and flicks his tail.

I imagine the tail flicking has some sort of visual significance. Any idea what it might mean?

[farrelli]

He's mad at you.

[Monipenny]

He's aggitated, You done pi$$ed him off.:)

[CritterMom]

They don't like being reprimanded. And if they are doing something serious - like that ridiculous little war dance they do to warn you away from their stash - and you LAUGH, well duck and cover. Laughing when they are being silly is ok, laughing when they are all serious is NOT! Which is actually pretty funny (but I know better than to laugh at it).

Outdoors you will see them do this in the trees if they see a dog or cat, too.

[Nancy in New York]

Just don't get too mad and make a lot of demands on him, remember he is a little wild animal, and living like he is now, is so out of the norm. They are conditioned to survive even if that means growling, lunging, and biting.

[MollyBear361]

oooooohhh, he is SO not happy with you. Tail flicking AND barking means he is REALLY ticked off.....Be easy on the guy....he is a wild animal. Hard to tell them no....:grouphug :grouphug :grouphug :grouphug

[stosh2010]

Ditto to all the above---
NOW--- if he adds rapid teeth chattering to the tail flicking--
Back Away FAST...
It could be a 3 second warning before some serious BITE attacts... REALLY !
--and don't tell yourself >> " Oh ! He's a Softie Boy !!! "...
Squirrels are 24/7 in survival mode...and yelling is a Life treatening response---to them.

[astra]

what everyone said

we can't tell them what to do.
They are not dogs who have been domesticated to submit to humans.
But even dogs disobey (cats - even more so)

that's part of living with these fuzzers - they cannot be trained, and it is human who will have to adapt and adjust most of the time and accept them for who they are.
they will pee and poop wherever they want
they will chew whatever they want
jump, scratch and so on and so forth
that's why it is strongly suggested to squirrel-proof the room:
to cover all cords b/c you cannot tell a squirrel not to chew them
to remove all house plants b/c most of them are toxic b/c you cannot tell them not to eat them
to remove all valuable things if you do not want them to be chewed
etc etc etc

raised tone of voice is perceived by animals as a threat
especially, by small prey animals
just how it is...

[Rebel Rescue]

Thanks for the input.

The reprimand usually has been a loud (but not too loud) verbal no, often accompanied by a finger snap. We've only done it when we've seen him starting to chew on something he shouldn't.

He does seem to get over it pretty quickly though and after a moment is back to his antics and climbing on us.

[stepnstone]

Thanks for the input.

The reprimand usually has been a loud (but not too loud) verbal no, often accompanied by a finger snap. We've only done it when we've seen him starting to chew on something he shouldn't.

He does seem to get over it pretty quickly though and after a moment is back to his antics and climbing on us.

Oh, but there will come a day when he won't...
That's when you'll know the Tasmanian Devil is so much more then a cartoon! :rofl4

[flyer girl]

You have got to love them my squirrels cuss at me on a daily basis you learn quick when to back down..:poke :rotfl

[quagmire]

He's angry. Don't make him angry, you wouldn't like him when he is angry.....

If he shows up like this.....RUN!!!!

[ALmommy]

I saw a bunch of squirrels doing this in a local park I go to every day after work and wondered the same thing. So I looked it up and found out that it's usually in response to seeing a predator and is used in squirrel communication. But I came across this article, which I found pretty fascinating because it ties the two things together.

http://news.sciencemag.org/sciencenow/2012/07/tail-shakes-scare-snakes.html

[astra]

when tail flicking is paired up with barking (various degrees of barking and/or whining-type of sound) - it's to warn others of predators, immediate danger (barking), various degrees of danger - various tones of whining and barking

tail flicking + teeth chattering - stay away, I am angry/upset with you, will attack if you don't back off (and, probably, even if you do ;) - too late)

tail flicking + agitated behaviour +tense posture - being upset (just a bit less threatening than when there is teeth chattering), spooked etc

in all of the above tail flicking is usually rather rapid

slower tail flicking unaccompanied by teeth chattering, vocalizations and/or tense posture - can, sometimes, be observed in play (esp. rough housing play)

[Unikorngrrl]

He's angry. Don't make him angry, you wouldn't like him when he is angry.....

If he shows up like this.....RUN!!!!

ROFLMAO!!!!! Love that Photo!!! And I was just crying!! :rotfl

[BamaHam]

Also don't stick your finger in his face and point at him........that is as good as fighting words. He'll come at you with claws and teeth. :D