Digging out a run

[McChooky]

Are rock squirrels the same thing as a ground squirrel?I've never heard of a rock squirrel sorry!

 

[EmmaDonovan]

Are rock squirrels the same thing as a ground squirrel? I've never heard of a rock squirrel sorry!

There are three types of ground squirrels in the Sonoran desert: Harris’ antelope squirrels (which are not antelopes!), round-tailed squirrels, and rock squirrels. Rock squirrels are the largest of the three and they are the ones we're battling.

I've been using "ground squirrel" and "rock squirrel" interchangeably, sorry about the confusion!

 

[Mother of Chaos]

To add, I think that what @EmmaDonovan is dealing with are critters who dig waaay under the outer walls, a foot or more deep, and come up in the middle of the run. Not a critter that digs three inches under the wall and pops up. An apron isn’t going to dissuade them.

These are serious subterranean excavators!

 

[McChooky]

Hello Mr Rat Terrier

Good bye Mr Squirrel

 

[Fluffy_Butt_Hutt]

Hello Mr Rat Terrier

Good bye Mr Squirrel

Can Terriers get things like moles and voles? I never knew they could get deep ground creatures!

 

[McChooky]

Can Terriers get things like moles and voles? I never knew they could get deep ground creatures!

They come out for food during the day

 

[EmmaDonovan]

Can Terriers get things like moles and voles? I never knew they could get deep ground creatures!

The rock squirrels were here for years while the house sat empty. They dug a massive tunnel system that goes all the way under the house foundation. I don't know if terriers can get that far down. I like the idea of introducing natural predators, though.

 

[McChooky]

The rock squirrels were here for years while the house sat empty. They dug a massive tunnel system that goes all the way under the house foundation. I don't know if terriers can get that far down. I like the idea of introducing natural predators, though.

THey kill them when they come up for food.

 

[McChooky]

We eat tree squirrels on the east coast.Do people eat the rock version? I know that sounds silly but I couldn't find anything except hunters shoot them

 

[paintedChix]

Can Terriers get things like moles and voles? I never knew they could get deep ground creatures!

In our area of NC, on our property, our Rat/Jack digs up Voles & nasty white/grey grubs. The Voles underground trails are 1/2 above ground... They aren't deep. I stomp them down flat w/ other areas of yard. Ive never actually seen him eat one, though ive seen him carry them. I have also seen partially eaten ones, but thinking that may be cats?

Grubs are deeper. I'll see Hobb tilt his head in listening mode. Then he does what ive seen videos of fox doing - he leaps into the air & pounds a spot a couple of times. "Listens" again. Then might run to another spot, "checking" it, before returning to 1st spot. Digs. Digs some more. Then he starts snatching grubs! He eats them. Then he rolls over in the grass, displaying his very full belly & asking for belly rubs.

Unfortunately, no pics of his antics... but I attached a couple of him. He's in background in 1st one.