Topic: Will a fox kill an adult squirrel?

[ceres]

Just had to clear away a dead squirrel from the lawn in front of my patio.  It was a big adult, hadn't been dead long - no flies, not stiff - my guess would be early this morning.
But it had no tail left.  It looked a bit chewed around the base of the tail and a very thin cleanish bone sticking out.  Sorry, probably TMI!  Can a fox have killed it?  Can't think what else. 

[Tin Shed]

The foxes round are way don't need to hunt for their food - they are either fed directly by people leaving food out specifically for them or those who leave their bin bags out too early.
 Apart from that I am sure that a hungry fox would kill a squirrel,but squirrels are pretty quick so perhaps this one was ill.

[Tin Shed]

Apologise - our /are ;D ;D

[star]

Or it could have been surprised by a fox who was lying low waiting for an opportunity. It could have been a weasel as well, they are very fast.

Where there any bite marks on the head or neck? Dependant on the size of any wounds, could  determine what killed it.

Or could have been old age or sick as suggested and died of natural causes, you might well have disturbed a cat or rat having breakfast.

[jjt]

A good hunting cat can catch a squirrel.

[ceres]

I couldn't find any wounds of any kind on it.  Thinking about it there was no blood around the tail area either, but maybe the tail doesn't have much of a blood supply anyway.  Apart from being dead(!) it looked in good condition, plump and the coat was nice too.  Unsolved mystery I think!    

[GrannieAnnie]

Family spat and broken heart?

[ipt8]

I have had our Huskies catch and kill a squirrel, the only difference being about all they left was the tail ::)
Squirrels are also territirial and will fight each other for territory, but I do not know how fierce they fight.
I suppose it is possible it was caught somewhere by a rat trap, and lost its tail that way.

[telboy]

I trust it was a 'grey'.
Don't know if they suffer from their own 'pox'.
The guy in Northumberland has my vote. He's cleared the County & hopes to do the business in Yorkshire.
I wish he'll give impetus to a 'sky rat' campaign - anywhere!

[ceres]

Yes, sadly no reds here.  Just watched River Cottage Autumn - HFW had them (greys) with pasta!