Why do North American Red Squirrel, Tamiasciurus hudsonicus, mothers relocate their young? A predation-based hypothesis

Abstract

Our study reports the first observations consistent with Short-Tailed Weasel predation on juvenile North American Red Squirrels in the nest. Red Squirrel mothers are known to relocate their young to another nest after a disturbance. We suggest that this behaviour might be an efficient strategy that reduces the impact of litter depredation by weasels.