A Definite Path across Pasture

[Chuckie]

I was spraying yesterday and realize that there is a definite path from the fence line of trees all the way to the yard. It was not there last year. I do believe that it is a squirrel path to the trees as having so man oaks and pecan trees in my yard. Does anyone else have a path made by squirrels? I hope that is what it is. Will get a picture.

 

[M.Magis]

Not squirrels exclusively, but small game paths are common. I spend a lot of time looking for small game trails when trapping coon and coyote, there's a lot more when you really start to look for them. Most of these are made by coon and groundhogs, but with that many mast trees I could certainly see squirrels making a trail.

 

[Chuckie]

Took me a bit to get the picture as so much going on. All the way from a tree that fell at edge of pasture to the closest oak in the yard. This path was not here last year. I would not have noticed it possibly until I got higher on the tractor and it made it clear.

 

[RDFF]

Even cats will make these kind of trails... but pretty much any small animal that's got a definite destination A to B.

 

[Chuckie]

Where my Dad used to live, as I drive down the driveway to his house, about midways along a wooded spot, there is a definite path coming from the woods to a culvert that under the drive. The culvert goes to a deep ditch that connects to a creek. I can see that a lot of animals, like raccoons, and squirrels would use this to get water. I should set up a camera just to see what small animals use this trail. I enjoy seeing the wildlife around home and at Dad's place. Lots of turkey and deer. I planted 6 Bur Oaks on his place as they produce acorns when they reach 7 years. The acorns are huge and very low tannic acid and are considered sweet. Wildlife favorite. Not sure if they produce acorns at 7 years in a heavy wooded area vs. being in the open and watered as they grow faster and larger.
They always report them as being a slow growing tree. But in the open and taken care of they grow faster with much sunlight and less competition for water. This year the trees are showing a lot of tassels, (catkins)

The Bur Oaks I planted (10) in the open around my home that I started in pot the spring of 2012 and then transplanted them to the yard in the fall, are 3/4 the of height of the ones I planted in early 80's. The trunk is not near the size of those planted earlier, but is thick and strong. I did not push the trees as they were planted in good ground. Started them from acorns as I purchased them on line, and was shocked when I saw the size of the acorns. I have started many trees from acorns and give them to people around in the county to help spread the tree. It is such a beautiful shade tree. They grow to the north and to the east of my area, and Reelfoot Lake has several there in Lake County. Now they are in Gibson county TN.

I believe they are spread out now in a 20 mile zone. Gave two of them to one of the Tennessee Forestry Department guys as this man wanted to plant them at his home when he came to my house.

 

[Chuckie]

Even cats will make these kind of trails... but pretty much any small animal that's got a definite destination A to B.

Spiderman, my male tabby is a great hunter. He is huge. Constantly bringing his catch inside. Brought a flying squirrel in the house one time and set it free. It did not seem to be harmed at all, as its skin was very loose. Caught it finally and put it back outside under an oak tree that still had lots of acorns underneath.

 

[Ky hills]

We have a lot of black walnut trees and an occasional hickory nut tree.
There’s a fence row of trees between us and another property that runs fairly close to the farm road that I use to feed hay in the winter.
a lot of times I will see a fox squirrel or two in the area around the trees and fence line. Over winter, during the snow/ice storm we had, I’d see one of them just working away digging through the ice and snow on the ground to get to its stash of walnuts. One day late winter early spring I got off the tractor and walked over there as I’d noticed some indents in the ground. The ground was pretty well bare cause I’d put out a few protein tubs earlier in the winter. As I walked over to it I saw the large stash of walnuts and then shallow holes dug out about every foot or so in almost a straight line path going to the larger stash,
On further at the bottom of a hill, starting up another hill I found another large stash of walnuts in the pathway that we travel on the side by side in drier weather.
We have two large oak trees in the front yard, every once in a while there will be a fox squirrel in the yard. Had one traveling up on the barn one day, when it came down my border collie Sam which was a great varmit catcher caught him.
Wife was actually happy about that because she was afraid it would’ve to get in our attic. The squirrel squeaked and wife screamed, and Sam was caught off guard and let it go.
Ive noticed that in town which isn’t far away at all there are a lot of smaller gray squirrels, but I’ve never seen a gray squirrel on our property only the bigger fox squirrels. I don’t know if they are territorial and keep them run off.
We go occasionally to the mountains about 30 some miles from where we live to a state park to eat at the restaurant at their lodge. They have the dining room on the side of a hill facing a wooded area. With bird feeders placed along the walkway and the little gray squirrels are frequently in those feeders and running around in the trees. Makes for a scenic view while eating. One night we were there in the winter when it gets dark early and got to see several flying squirrels jumping and gliding off of the trees and balcony. around the feeders.

 

[TexasJerseyMilker]

I had a friend who when he was a kid had a pet flying squirrel that lived in his room against his parents wishes. They told him to let it go and he said he did. The squirrel used to climb up the curtains and sail over to his bed and this was great fun. One night it sailed towards the bed but made a turn out the bedroom door and down the hall. He got up in time to hear his mother scream. It had made a left turn into his parents room and landed on his sleeping mother. She said it was like someone had thrown a warm damp wash cloth on her face.

 

[worldsgreatestlover]

Something ate approx 1/2 of a range cube on the center console of my truck last night. It had to have transported it from the back of the truck. Windows were down. It left no visible trail. I strongly suspect a squirrel. Could have been a rat but we don't have many, plus the transport factor. There is 4 hiefers in the " house pasture " but one of them most likely would have eaten the whole cube.

 

[greybeard]

I have what I at first believed were mice in the garage. Strange looking scat from something, that makes tiny little teeth marks on different objects, and shreds thin paper objects such as a cigarette left sticking partly out of a package...Turns out, it was 2 different reptiles.. Striped whiptail and Texas spiny lizards. (which is different than a horned toad)