Commentary
Wild animals are opportunistic eaters and the squirrel* in this video is no exception. Our recent post, Backyard visitors spell RISK for pets, people, preceded a plethora of media stories about encounters with bears, cougars, coyotes, deer, elk, moose and more. Drought, wildfires, seasonal changes and crop harvesting has wild critters moving to find new food sources and cover.
As participants in the sustaining the health of humans, animals, plants and the environment, we must continue educating people that wild animals are just that, wild. Treating them anthropomorphically will only compound inherent challenges at the intersections of wildlife and human existence.” – Kirk Augustine
Source: Missouri Department of Conservation, Facebook, October 25, 2022. Link.
*Check out this gray squirrel eating a dead northern cardinal. Squirrels are known for eating nuts, seeds, fruit, buds, and other plant-based foods, but they will opportunistically also eat meat such as fresh carrion.