Do squirrels ever die of natural causes?

Question

Do they only die at the hands of predators, hunters and automobiles?
The only time you ever see a dead squirrel is in the middle of the road.

Answer 1

Natural causes would mean old age or disease. Those that reach old age or disease become to slow to avoid predators, or cars, thus you don't see them. Even if one were to have a heart attack and die scavengers would likely eat them long before you pass that way.
If you spend enough time in the woods you do see them. I have seen one near dead squirrel and a dead deer that were felled by other than man in my own yard.

Answer 2

All Animals die of natural causes sometimes... but when lots of animals prey on you and you like to play chicken with cars and trucks crossing a road and like to climb power lines you tend to die of many many different reasons before you reach old age

Answer 3

Yes. But you are not gonna see any of them unless you go looking through squirrel nest and dens. Also, a dead animal in the woods is not gonna last long. Something will eat it.

Answer 4

Think of the billions of other animals on the planet - you don't see piles and piles of the dead ones that died of natural causes.
There's too many other animals, insects, fungi, etc., that benefit off the carcasses of other animals that you just don't see them unless they're in plain site on a road killed by a car.

Doesn't mean they don't die elsewhere.

Answer 5

Actually, in rural areas, it is common for them to slink away and hide before dying. That way they die of natural causes, but they are usually never found and disturbed. In more urban areas, they become too slow to avoid hawks and cars, and usually get killed before succumbing to death. If it weren't for the fact that they breed like freakin' rabbits, they'd all be dead in urban areas already!

Hope I helped... :)

Answer 6

All animals can get old and just pass away. Interesting question.

Answer 7

All mammals do. They most likely die in trees...haha good question