You can watch many YouTube videos showing people hand-feeding and even petting or holding squirrels, and it might make you ask yourself, “are squirrels scared of humans?” According to experts in squirrel removal in Okanagan, squirrels are naturally afraid of humans, which is a healthy fear. Without that fear, squirrels risk their lives, whether on human food or trusting the wrong person. There are at least three reasons squirrels should be afraid of people.

1. Squirrels See People as Predators

Most often, the squirrels you see being held and hand-fed were likely raised by humans. Sometimes, baby squirrels become orphans, either through abandonment or death. Being raised by humans or around them creates an unnatural temperament in these orphaned animals.

Most wild animals have a natural fear response to people. The response is natural because squirrels see people as predators. Animals that rank low on the food chain become excellent runners and hiders; squirrels are a bit of both. You do not want to nurture their protective nature out of them because it makes them vulnerable; that is why it is best to let the animals fend for themselves rather than feed them. 

2. People Are Intimidating

Squirrels are small mammals. They only reach a height of 15 to 20 inches and a weight of around one and a half pounds. The animal’s stature is a significant part of why they are a prey species.

People tower over these little creatures. Standing 5′ or 6′ tall, an average person is roughly five times taller than the tallest squirrel. The size of people is one reason squirrels believe them to be predators.

While there are ways to convince the tiny animals you are not a threat, why would you do that? Who does it benefit? The squirrel does not need you to feed it, and it does not need human companionship. Convincing a squirrel that people are not dangerous is in and of itself harmful.

3. Some People Kill and Eat Squirrels

Squirrels have a right to fear some people. Some individuals get rid of squirrels by killing them for sport, and others kill them for food. When you consider this, people are predators of squirrels. 

By feeding squirrels and training them not to run from people but run towards them, you increase the likelihood of one falling victim to a predatory human. You begin to teach the animal that all people are a food source, which is harmful.

Even if you are not intentionally hurting a squirrel, feeding the animal can eliminate some of its natural foraging instincts. If the animal gets enough food from you, there is no reason for it to seek food elsewhere.

If you always plan to live where you live, never plan on missing feedings, and only feed natural squirrel foods, this might be okay — not really but pretend. However, no one can keep up that level of consistency. If you miss feedings, become ill, or move, that squirrel has lost its only food source.

The best thing you can do for squirrels is to watch them from a distance. Do not interfere with the natural order of things, and whatever you do, do not try to nurture their natural fear away.

The fear of humans keeps squirrels safe and helps keep the animals away from your property. Squirrels can cause a lot of damage if they get inside your house or take up residence along your roof. If you believe you have a squirrel problem, contact Skedaddle Humane Wildlife Control and schedule a property assessment. The company will send trained wildlife technicians to inspect your home and its surroundings to determine if a problem exists.