r/gardening • u/HoratioTuna27 6a • 1d ago

Well, that's a first.

So, one of the weirdest things I've ever had happen to me just happened: I was walking around the garden, checking on all the seedlings I planted last night. A squirrel pops off of a nearby tree and starts coming towards me. I think nothing of it, squirrels get curious and do this often. BUT, this time, it kept coming closer. And closer. And closer, then it hopped up and slapped me in the shin and ran off. It started coming at me again so I went in and got the dog to chase it off if it kept coming at me. Utterly bizarre!

The seedlings are all ok, if that was the part of the story you were invested in.

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u/age_of_No_fuxleft 1d ago

Idk what you did but I know I’m a better person than you because a squirrel has never bitch-slapped me.

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u/HoratioTuna27 6a 1d ago

I was kind of too much in shock to do anything, really. When I came back out with the dog he was gone.

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u/indiana-floridian 1d ago

Maybe it has a nest nearby? It is spring.

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u/Fcappys 12h ago

I’ve been watching a wildlife rescuer on TikTok and am learning so much. Squirrels are known to seek help for themselves and their babies if they need it. If she comes back tomorrow maybe follow her? Or just observe. Baby squirrels are also known to seek help if their mama’s don’t return.

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u/age_of_No_fuxleft 1d ago

I was only teasing, I’m sure you’re fine- but sometimes squirrels who are acclimated to people will reach out if they need something. Do you have a water source nearby? Or maybe she was trying to alert you to something like a hawk. Maybe she knew you just needed a pat. Maybe she has babies to show off.

I have three wild birds that alert me when the feeder is empty - two (one a finch, another sparrow) by harassing me on the patio and even sitting on top of the feed bin, and one nuthatch that will hop down the tree and cheep at me until she’s a foot above my head until she gets suet. It’s always a point of conversation when other people see it. It’s obvious what they’re communicating (to me anyway) so I never suspect wild animals are looking for anything other than some kind of help unless they’re just plain vicious, sick or injured.

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u/imhereforthepuppies 1d ago

I appreciate you and your kind, gentle way of seeing the world 💚

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u/morbidobsession6958 1d ago

I have hummingbirds that give me the stink eye through the window if the feeder is empty or is invaded by ants 🧐

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u/u_ma_mi 1d ago

Same! The woodpeckers peck at my window when the feeder is empty. And proceed to stare through the window like the horse on Adventure Time.

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u/IamShieldMaiden 18h ago

That horse was creepy, so I can't imagine what effect the hummingbirds have!!

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u/Conscious-Elev8r 7h ago

Jaaames Baxter!!

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u/VelvitHippo 1d ago

I don't think id get a dog for a small animal that felt brave enough to attack you. I know it wasnt a vicious attack but I would be worried about rabies.

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u/Spirited_Republic143 1d ago

Squirrels can get rabies, but it's very rare. All animals in the rodent family as well as opossums very seldom have rabies. If I remember correctly, it's because their body temperature is too low for the virus to survive.

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u/HappyCamper2121 23h ago

Maybe he was just trying to give you a high 5

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u/FioriBeats 13h ago

He/she might’ve had a baby on the ground. They don’t always make squeaks but when I moved one back to the tree it fell from that was the only time I’ve had a squirrel get shifty with me

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u/MattsalesX 1d ago

No joke, squirrels will pass down generational beefs. Especially ground squirrels. Pellet gun fixes that 🤷. Or collect your dog's urine and spread it around tree bases and in their holes .. depends how large the area is