Small, weak and defenceless, squirrels are the most hunted animals in the Carlifornian Sierra. The buzzard has actually timed the birth of its young to be able to feed them with the young, inexperienced squirrels as they come out of the burrow. The coyotes do not miss the chance to catch them and the lynx lie in wait for ages to surprise them when they least expect it.
They have to count on their cunning to be able to defend themselves from so many predators. They have developed a system of alarms with which they can communicate with each other when there is danger in the vicinity.