Do squirrels Ever Get Scared?

While walking around my neighborhood, I get to see squirrels scurrying across roads and birds flying to and from feeders. Sometimes I get to witness turkey, deer, opossum, skunk, or raccoon. These neighborhood visitors are hunted by predators, whether in my neighborhood or in the nearby woods. They are alert to smells, movements, and noises. They will tilt their head to hear and see better, their legs are ready to run, and their wings are ready to flap. They are always searching for potential trouble. 

 

When it's time to have babies, squirrels build their nests high in trees to keep them safe. I have an Eastern grey squirrel that has built a nest in my walnut tree. This isn’t her only nest. She has several nests (called “dreys”) nearby.  During the spring, she adds new leaves, moss, and grass to each drey in preparation. Lately, my backyard squirrel has been collecting dried leaves. As she climbs, she looks for predators. She doesn’t want to draw attention to her nests. The other day, she saw me as she climbed the walnut tree and decided to take her leaves to another drey. While she prepares the nests, she is trying to protect her babies before they are even born.

 

Should we be afraid and hide like animals do?

Sometimes we feel like hiding, especially when we feel embarrassed or afraid.  Making a mistake can feel bad when you hurt a friend or family member. It may seem easier to hide from everyone than to apologize. Did you know that the first time this happened was with Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden? They disobeyed God by eating the forbidden fruit. They hid because they were afraid of what would happen.

 

Genesis 3:8 says, “And they heard the sound of the Lord God walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and the man and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the Lord God among the trees of the garden.”

 

God called to them, saying, “Where are you?”, even though God knew where they were and what they had done. God did not want them to be afraid. God wanted Adam and Eve to come out of hiding. He wanted to protect them and restore a relationship with them.

 

God doesn't want us to hide, either. When we are scared or we have done something we know is wrong, we can always come to God. He wants to forgive us and help us live in his freedom.

“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” 1 John 1:9

Dear God, thank you for washing me clean when I make a mistake. Help me to be quick to apologize to those I have hurt.

Fun Fact:

Rabbits hide in warrens; bats hide in caves; foxes hide in dens; and owls hide in trees.