why do squirrels chase each other

Squirrels chase each other for several main reasons: to establish territory, to assert dominance, during mating season, to protect food supplies, and as a form of play, especially among juveniles. Territorial squirrels chase intruders away to protect food and shelter, while chasing among males during mating season is to compete for females. Juvenile squirrels chase for fun and to develop skills needed for survival. Some adult chasing may look aggressive as it’s tied to dominance and territory disputes, but not all chases are fights; some are playful or mating-related chases.