What is this from?

[Potashminer]

We live in West Central Manitoba. See pictures below - the second time that our cats have dragged in what looks like this, through the cat door to garage. Obviously a tail? But I have no clue what the rest of the victim might have been - does anyone know?? I do not think is a red squirrel, at all.

Underside (I presume) is lighter colour??



Upper side (I presume) is darker colour - various shades of brown and gray, I think?

 

[bcsteve]

Looks like a flying squirrel tail.

 

[FishHog]

Agreed. Flying squirrel

 

[Potashminer]

Looks like a flying squirrel tail.

A definite possibility - we have - once or twice - seen them in evenings - gliding from taller trees down across yard into hazel bush. Never got to watch one closely though - do not seem to show themselves like the red squirrels do... From Wikipedia, sounds like they are favourite snacks for owls, hawks, lynx and fox - we, for sure, have all of those here. Maybe the cats were just scavenging something they found - from something else's kill??

Might be their own kill? A few winters ago one or other cat dragged in a pretty much grown "bush rabbit" - likely is a cottontail, I think?? - not big like a jack rabbit. So no doubt our cats capable to kill flying squirrel if they could catch it - but would be a couple days feeding, I think?? In that rabbit instance, when dog came out of house, she promptly grabbed the rabbit and disappeared with it - never seen rabbit again - such is life among carnivores, I think - might have to fight to keep what you killed - if you are big, might be easier to just steal it??

 

[Standardvel]

There are a few grey coloured ground squirrels around here that have a tail that looks like that one, I checked the web and I believe they are Franklin's Ground Squirrel.

 

[Biologist]

Northern flying squirrel.
Google it and click on the "images" tab, and there are several nice photos where you get a good look at the tail.

 

[Grizzly Adams]

Northern flying squirrel.
Google it and click on the "images" tab, and there are several nice photos where you get a good look at the tail.

I was thinking Pack Rat.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pack_rat

Grizz

 

[madtrapper143]

Off of a kid's bike? But really I vote Flying Squirrel.

Darryl

 

[Bigbubba]

 

[the spank]

We always wondered what became of my friends Charlie the Chinchilla when we were younger? Lol

 

[Potashminer]

Off of a kid's bike? But really I vote Flying Squirrel.

Darryl

Ha! Good one, Darryl! Unfortunately, out here, kid's are pretty much a rarity type sighting. Maybe too many Lynx, Black Bears or Coyotes?? A kid, with a bike, has never been observed by either me or my wife in 6 years here, so Posts here have got me leaning towards your second alternative!.

 

[starvin]

Flying squirrel. They’re more common than you think. Nocturnal and carnivorous little bastards, they foul up our Martin sets and are worthless. They kind of creep me out to tell the truth.

 

[Eagleye]

Yep, Flying squirrel. We have them here as well. Dave.