Squirrels are small, herbivorous creatures that are prey for many larger predators. Here are some of the animals that eat squirrels:

• Aerial Predators: Hawks and eagles are known to eat squirrels. Almost all kinds of squirrels are eaten by an aerial predator. Eastern gray squirrels are prone to attacks by red-tailed hawks, while fox squirrels are vulnerable to attacks from hawks and sometimes owls. In the case of red squirrels, they are preyed upon by Cooper’s hawks, bald eagles, northern goshawks, great horned owls, great grey owls, American kestrels, northern harriers, red-shouldered hawks, red-tailed hawks, and sharp-shinned hawks. California ground squirrels are mostly targeted by red-tailed hawks and golden eagles. Franklin’s ground squirrels are also eaten by red-tailed hawks. In the case of flying squirrels, southern and northern flying squirrels are targeted by owls and hawks.

• Mammalian Predators: Foxes, coyotes, weasels, domestic cats, wild cats, domestic dogs, badgers, polecats, and mink are all known to eat squirrels. In Europe, the pine marten is probably the squirrels most significant mammalian predator. Pine martens are at home in the treetops and will actively chase squirrels through the canopy.

• Reptilian Predators: Snakes that prey on squirrels include black rat snakes, corn snakes, and other species of tree-climbing snakes. These snakes will hunt by scaling the trees and entering squirrel nests or burrows. Once they catch a squirrel, they will constrict it to suffocate it.

• Other Predators: Alligators have been known to eat squirrels.

Its worth noting that the failure of seed crops and subsequent starvation is the single biggest source of mortality for squirrels.