Frequent squirrel visitor missing

[tigerstripes]

Hi all,

For the past 2 years, I've been somewhat obsessed and infatuated with my outdoor squirrels here in Upstate NY. I've never tried to pet them in any way until about a month ago. A very beautiful male squirrel with a short bushy tail came right up to me and let me pet him while giving him food! (I feed all my squirrels in-shelled nuts).

He's been a frequent visitor, coming to my back deck multiple times throughout the day. He was the only squirrel I let inside my apartment (mostly to go into the box of nuts so that he may choose his pick).

But I noticed he stopped coming as much and now I haven't seen in a week. When the temp began to drop over the past few weeks, I went outside and almost always found him in around and about. He would come right up to me, too. His crossing a huge parking lot to come see me was a huge stressor since squirrels aren't the most car savvy animal. when I would go out to feed him nuts in his territory, he was always near the streets and I even saw him try to bury a nut under a pile of leaves IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD!!

FYI- I live in an apartment community so the roads aren't that busy, but still there are people who drive like maniacs while texting and whatnot.

Basically what I'm wondering is, might it be possible, and if so, typical of young male squirrels to find new territory around the autumn season? I read that this happens from only one source... I haven't seen him in a week and miss him so much. I've been walking around outside everyday, and nothing.

I named him "Short Al"

Any insight would be greatly appreciated.

[Lighten-Up]

I starting feeding wilds and making friends with them just this past May, 2016. Most have come around everyday, for months, missing a few days here or there.

Just in the last week with the weather turning colder, my regulars have completely changed their habits it seems. I may see one, but not all. It seemed like a rather abrupt shift.

I have never fed wilds through an entire season, so I don't know if this is normal or not.

I don't know what they are doing, or why they are coming less. It's just what I've been seeing.

Amazing that your squirrel friend let you pet him right away. I hope he shows back up for you.

I haven't really answered your question, hopefully someone else will. This is my experience right now, so I am sharing it.

[CritterMom]

Fall is the time of year that nut bearing trees have their harvest ripe and ready, and a time when your "regulars" may disappear for a while - they are down the street or a few blocks away where they have found yummies. They won't forget you - when the buffet runs short they will come back. They are wild, of course, and bad things can always happen, but this is such a regular thing - I see it every year. This time of year I am putting out less than half what I put in my squirrel café the rest of the year!