Why Do Squirrels Shake Their Tails? (Flicking & Meaning Explained)

Have you ever watched a squirrel repeatedly shaking or flicking its tail and wondered why? It might seem random, but these common tail movements actually play a key role in how squirrels communicate.

The context and pacing of tail flicks can often help reveal the variety of meanings: Is the squirrel warning about cats or owls? Is it mad at you? Defending its territory, or just being friendly with a mate or family member?

As someone passionate about decoding animal behavior, I’ve spent years studying these fascinating squirrel displays, so let’s explore what these tail movements are really telling us!

Importance of Tail Shaking In Squirrel Communication

First and foremost it’s essential to understand the relationship between tail shaking and vocal communication. Squirrel language only makes sense when you consider the dynamic interplay between body language AND calls together.

Think of it like this: Calls are great for sending messages across long distances. They signal general states (like alarm or presence) and don’t necessarily require visual contact to convey basic information.

Body language, including tail movements, adds the crucial details needed for specific scenarios. It helps pinpoint the location of predators, identify intended targets in territorial interactions, and more.

Tail shaking, then, serves a vital dual purpose within this system. In long-distance communication, it acts as a visual flag, drawing attention to the caller’s location and enhancing their vocal message. While at short distances, it helps them express emotions like aggression or affection.

Let’s look at some common examples:

Tail Shaking As Alarm Communication

Alarm communication creates an interesting dilemma for squirrels that is perfectly solved by strategic tail movements timed with vocalizations.

On the one hand there’s great survival value in warning each other about predators from a distance. This is why squirrels make alarm calls when they spot predators like a cat, dog, or approaching humans.

But to really communicate the most valuable insights about danger, sound alone isn’t enough; it lacks the precision to know exactly where the predator is right now. For this, they need to be able to see the body language of other squirrels.

By observing the alarming squirrel’s exact location (including height off the ground), and what direction they’re facing, squirrels gain crucial detail to know what type of predator is present and where it is located in relation to the alarming squirrel.

But the problem is squirrels blend in! It’s often not possible to get a clear view through the forest. This is where the tail dramatically enhances their alarm communication.

By shaking their tail in tandem with alarm calls, squirrels flag the attention of other squirrels at long distances (even with just a partial view) to help them discern subtle but essential body language details. Alarmed squirrels typically orient themselves towards the source of the threat.

If you see a squirrel flicking its tail like this, pay attention to which direction it’s facing. This will help you determine where the danger is coming from.

Tail use changes however with aerial threats. Against a hawk for example, where making themselves visible is incredibly dangerous. The tail flicking stops, relying instead on camouflage and stealth.

The key is to always listen and watch: the pace and intensity of the flicks often reflect the squirrel’s perceived urgency. Faster, sharper flicks can signal a more immediate or stressful threat compared to slower ones.

Tail Shaking In Territorial Defence

Tail shaking also plays a key role in territorial defence. Many squirrels have specific locations around their territory where they make routine territorial displays that include calls and tail movements.

Much like with alarms, the tail flick serves as a visual flag to grab the attention of other squirrels, signalling awareness (“I see you!”). The squirrel defending its space will face away from the core of their territory towards the direction of their rival neighbor squirrels.

It’s also important to realize that not all squirrels are territorial.

• Red Squirrels (and related species like Douglas Squirrels) are intensely territorial. For them, sharp, rapid tail flicks directed at another squirrel are very often aggressive warnings, part of a larger display meant to drive competitors away. They fiercely defend their resources.
• Grey Squirrels, on the other hand, are generally communal and don’t have individually defined territories. While they certainly have dominance hierarchies and squabbles that include flicking of the tail, it happens at much closer range and tend to be less urgent or intense. Their tail flicks are less frequently about defending a strict territory compared to Reds.

Because of these differences, accurately interpreting a tail flick as “territorial” requires observing the context closely. What species are involved? Is there a clear interaction or dispute happening? Answering these questions helps distinguish territorial warnings from other types of tail communication.

If you’re not sure which type of squirrel you have, check out this guide comparing Red vs. Grey Squirrel characteristics and behavior.

Social Signals: Friendly Flicks Between Squirrels

Not every flick of a squirrel’s tail signals danger or conflict. Squirrels also use their tails in calmer social interactions, especially between familiar individuals like mates, family members, or regular neighbors in more communal species like gray squirrels.

These social flicks look quite different from alarm or territorial displays. They tend to be gentler, slower, more like a deliberate swish or wag than the sharp, rapid flicks seen in high-intensity situations. The accompanying body language is more relaxed as well – less tense or rigid posture.

You might see these gentler tail movements during:

• Courtship: As part of attracting attention or signaling interest to a potential mate.
• Greetings: Potentially used when familiar squirrels meet or approach each other peacefully.
• Affiliative Contact: Sometimes occurring during close, non-aggressive interactions between bonded squirrels.

It’s worth noting, however, that courtship interactions can quickly escalate. While they might start with subtle signals, they often involve intense, frantic chasing and wooing behaviors as males pursue females.

As always, context is everything. Interpreting these gentler flicks correctly relies heavily on observing who is involved, their apparent relationship, and the overall calmness of the situation. This helps distinguish friendly social signals from low-level agitation or the high energy of a mating chase.

Expressing Emotions

Just like how we humans show frustration through gestures like stamping our feet or shaking our fists, squirrels express similar emotions with their tails.

Here is a YouTube Video where UC Berkeley Research studies a squirrel while frustrated:

As the frustration creeps in, it will twitch its tail more and more. In the video above, you will see squirrels try to successfully open boxes to receive a tasty walnut.

When they can’t open the box or find that it’s empty, they begin to twitch their tails in frustration. 

Beyond Communication: The Tail’s Role in Balance & Agility

While squirrels use their tails extensively for communication, the tail’s job doesn’t end there. It also plays an essential role for balance and mobility in the treetops.

The Ultimate Counterbalance

Perhaps the most vital physical role is acting as a superb counterbalance. Watch a squirrel navigating a narrow branch or dashing along a powerline, and you’ll see its tail constantly adjusting. Much like a tightrope walker uses a long pole, the squirrel uses its tail to shift its center of gravity, maintaining impeccable balance on precarious surfaces.

Fueling Acrobatic Feats

This balancing act directly enables their renowned agility. The tail allows for sharp turns, daring leaps between branches, and confident movement through complex environments, whether escaping a predator, chasing a rival, or simply foraging high above the ground.

Managing the Inevitable Fall

Despite their skills, squirrels do sometimes fall. Here too, the tail provides crucial assistance. Its bushiness can act like a mini-parachute, slowing their descent through the air. Upon landing, they may even use it as a cushion, helping to absorb and distribute the impact, contributing to their ability to survive falls from surprising heights.

Tail Use While Swimming

While not built for water, squirrels can swim if necessary. In these situations, their versatile tail aids in steering and buoyancy, helping them stay afloat and reach their destination.

From navigating the heights to surviving a tumble, the physical functions of the tail are fundamental to a squirrel’s way of life, complementing its role as a complex communication device.

Putting It All Together

As we’ve seen, the seemingly simple flick of a squirrel’s tail is anything but random. It’s a sophisticated communication tool that enhances vocal calls to convey a wide range of messages.

The key to knowing what that shaking tail is saying lies in observation and context. To decode the message, you need to consider:

• The Situation: Routine display, predator response or social interaction?
• The Species: Is it a territorial Red Squirrel or a more communal Gray?
• The Flick Itself: Is it fast and sharp, or slow and relaxed (Pacing & Intensity)?
• The Direction: Where is the squirrel oriented or focusing its attention?
• Duration: Brief flick or sustained shaking?
• The Whole Picture: What sounds and other body language accompany the flick?

By paying attention to these details, you can move beyond simple observation and begin to understand the fascinating conversations happening in the squirrel world. So next time you see that busy tail in action, watch closely – what story is it telling you?