Squirrels mark their territory with urine and tail-waving displays, and they may bark warning calls at passing intruders, including humans. Most squirrels live in colonies or groups, but some, like the grey squirrel, are solitary creatures.
THEY ZIG ZAG TO AVOID PREDATORS Like a kid evading a dodge ball, squirrels will dart back and forth to confound a predator. When faced with a replica figure of a squirrel, they approach with apprehension. Clearly, they want the food around it but squirrels have many natural predators, which makes them skittish. With a mix of curiosity and social anxiety, squirrels approach objects that strike their interest or promise food. But living near the bottom of the food chain has imbued them with a keen sense of their surroundings. In the event that they are confronted with a predator, squirrels will dart from side to side while running away, until they can find a tree to climb to safety. Sadly, this is also why many squirrels get hit by cars. When trying to cross the street, squirrels alarmed at the sudden onset of a car will begin to dart back and forth in a lane, which can put them in a deadly path.
THEY HAVE NOTICEABLE BODY LANGUAGE A squirrel that flicks its tail in snappy, arced movements is likely frustrated and showing a reactionary emotion akin to someone stomping their foot in frustration.
Tails aren't just used by squirrels venting their exasperation. In contrast to the quick, darting flicks, squirrels also whip their tails in longer, more flaglike movements. This is likely to signal to other squirrels that a predator is in the vicinity.
Often, the movements are used in conjunction with three types of calls—quick, chirping clicks, a longer "waaa" type of sound, and lower pitched tonal whistles. These different calls are used in tandem with various types of tail flicks to give specific signals. Some sounds and tail movements are closely associated with predators that approached on the ground versus from the sky.