What does this sound mean?

[bridgetole]

Released four 15 week old squirrels yesterday. We are doing a soft release. They seem to be doing fine. Three of the four have been hanging around and staying together. Have not seen the fourth since last evening. She always did do her own thing, so I am hoping that is what she is doing now. Anyways this was the sound one of the squirrels was making today. Does anyone know what this sound means? I'm worried she is sad. http://youtu.be/WibK4i0-37A

[Nancy in New York]

Released four 15 week old squirrels yesterday. We are doing a soft release. They seem to be doing fine. Three of the four have been hanging around and staying together. Have not seen the fourth since last evening. She always did do her own thing, so I am hoping that is what she is doing now. Anyways this was the sound one of the squirrels was making today. Does anyone know what this sound means? I'm worried she is sad. http://youtu.be/WibK4i0-37A

Yup, it's a warning cry.
She has either seen something or heard something that she knows is dangerous.
Lots of times, right after they break the trance, they will go flying up a tree and
start their loud chatter along with the tail flipping.

[bridgetole]

Makes sense, she had been really staring something down. Thank you for the answer.

[Nancy in New York]

Makes sense, she had been really staring something down. Thank you for the answer.

I could tell that she was staring, almost in a "frozen" state.
Smart little monkey! :)

[stepnstone]

I love the tail flipping...
That's using real body language when they do that. :grin2

[bridgetole]

She is the smart one of the bunch. The leader. The 2 boys follow her around. There is a fourth one, a female, whom has been unseen since yesterday evening. She has always been more of a "do her own thing" girl. I'm worried about her though. I hope she is OK. I had hoped they would all stay together for awhile and close to home. For my peace of mind and so they could benefit from supplemental feedings while they are learning to be wild.

[czarina]

I love the tail flipping, too. Makes me wish I had one, so I could show how sassy I can be.:grin3

[bridgetole]

Our missing girl showed up this morning! Back with the gang. Happy day!

[TubeDriver]

Also, when alarming, watch what direction they face because that is where the threat will be.


Squirrels have incredible senses and can detect things thatI just can not sense. I would say that I can spot the danger about 25% of the time when my wilds alarm.

[JLM27]

http://www.wired.com/2014/06/squirrel-alarm-calls-are-surprisingly-complex
Check this link for some recent research on squirrel alarm calls.

[anniedancer]

How interesting! I had wondered about this. I was starting to think that a "kuk kuk sqaa" sound along with tail flagging meant a cat was nearby! There's a high fence between my backyard and a neighbors, and sometimes the squirrels make these noises and tail flags while sighting something over the fence. Other times, they face inwards, and I have seen a cat emerge from a thicket.
To me it sounds like "buk buk squee" but who cares. Squirrels are fascinating, as are all animals.
Annie