Squirrels are most afraid of things that represent predation, exposure, and loss of escape routes, because as small prey animals their survival depends on avoiding predators. Their biggest fears include natural predators like hawks, owls, eagles, cats, dogs, foxes, coyotes, bobcats, snakes, and raccoons that can catch them in trees or on the ground, which is why they are constantly vigilant, freeze, chatter, and flick tails when they sense danger. They are very afraid of being exposed in open areas without cover, which is why they prefer to travel along fences, branches, and walls rather than across open lawns, and why they avoid bright, noisy, open spaces. They are afraid of loud, sudden, unpredictable noises like banging, clapping, dogs barking, and shouting that signal danger. They are afraid of new, unfamiliar objects in their territory due to neophobia, which is why new feeders or traps may be avoided initially. They are also afraid of losing their escape route, which is why a cornered squirrel may become aggressive and bite. In urban areas, squirrels are afraid of cars which kill many squirrels. What they fear most is anything that blocks their ability to flee to a tree or nest quickly, so keeping areas open, using predator decoys like owl statues, and having dogs present can make them feel unsafe, though they habituate over time if food remains.
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