Most of us assume that squirrels are purely herbivores. After all, squirrels are internationally known as foragers of nuts. No one would think that these small creatures would ever harm a cute, cuddly bunny rabbit. But let’s not forget desperate times, call for desperate measures, and a desperately hungry squirrel won’t think twice when it’s mealtime. So, do squirrels attack rabbits?

Squirrels do attack rabbits, this doesn’t happen as often with your regular tree squirrel but it does with the red squirrel. Red squirrels will stalk, hunk, kill and eat rabbits on a regular basis. Regular everyday tree squirrels will only attack rabbits on occasion. Some rabbits can be bigger than squirrels and these will be left alone

Do squirrels attack rabbits?

Fact is, squirrels have highly adaptable diets, and they’re not purely herbivores they are rather omnivores, eating both plant and animal matter.

While they prefer cracking nuts and munching crunchy vegetables, wild squirrels will eat any available meats and foods they can find and that includes rabbits.

Squirrels will attack rabbits for food if necessary. A bunny isn’t the easiest food for a squirrel to catch but in certain instances, a squirrel can come out of nowhere and attack the hare.

The types of squirrels that stalk, hunt and kill squirrels are the red squirrel of temperate climates. Regular everyday tree squirrels only do this on occasion

Do squirrels kill rabbits?

While some may not want to accept it, it is true, squirrels will and have killed rabbits. There are numerous cases reported where squirrels are sighted killing and eating baby rabbits and even a small group of squirrels feasting on an adult rabbit corpse.

Squirrels are not big on hunting other animals but if they are hungry and gain access to smaller, weaker, dead, or injured prey they will help themselves.

Some rabbits can be just as big and even larger than squirrels which may scare squirrels away. But a weakened or even dead rabbit is fair game.

Like most animals, squirrel parents want to provide sustenance for their young and want to have provisions to survive. The stakes are high in the wild, being choosy can mean survival or death.

Are rabbits faster than squirrels?

Certain types of squirrels have the advantage of being very small for example the pygmy squirrel, because of this, they are faster than rabbits. The pygmy squirrel can reach speeds of 24kph while large rabbits tend to reach top speeds of only 4 to 12kph.

Most squirrels, however, run at max speeds of 12kph while smaller domestic rabbits can reach maximum speeds of 35kps. Rabbits are very fast but, if injured or very young, they won’t be much of a match for a squirrel.

Are squirrels aggressive?

While squirrels can be a tad twitchy and mouth off, creating some weird aggressive calls, they are non-aggressors. They prefer to scurry away from danger unless cornered and have not alternative than to be aggressive. They are more so foragers than hunters of prey.

These little animals know better than to pick a fight with any animal larger than them.

How to keep squirrels away from rabbits?

Keeping rabbits safe, especially a more tamed and friendly pet rabbit, requires that you put up some safeguards. For starters, checking fences and nearby trees for squirrel nests is a good idea.

Applying natural essences such as thyme and cinnamon, which squirrels detest, is an option too. Providing many openings and holes for rabbits to escape into is another great option.

Also being present with your pet when outside is a great way to keep them safe.

Conclusion:

In conclusion, squirrels do attack rabbits. More docile squirrels, like the tree squirrel, will only attack rabbits on occasion but the red squirrel will stalk, hunt, kill and eat rabbits.  Rabbits are generally faster than squirrels and squirrels are non-aggressors.

If you enjoyed this article then you may also be interested in other squirrel related articles. Here are some articles that you may be interested in: Do squirrels eat fish?, Why does my squirrel nibble on me?, Why are squirrels so twitchy?, Do squirrels eat dog food?