There is a squirrel that likes to hang around my yard. I've caught him watching me several times. I would really like for us to become friends. I have peanuts, but should I use salted or non-salted? I'm a very patient person, and I have the time and sense of humor to do so. The squirrel in my yard is just an average gray squirrel. I'm sure it is a boy, and he is very cute. He doesn't seem very afraid of people either. But, he's not tame or anything. How do I get his attention? Where should I place the peanuts in the yard? How do I get him to become comfortable eating with me in the yard? How close should I place the peanuts to me? Should I try and feed him from my hand? Should I throw the nuts, or would this spook him? Would it be better if I crouched before tossing the nuts? How long will it take to befriend a squirrel? Do you think this will actually be possible to do? Do squirrels carry diseases? How brave are squirrels, usually? Is it okay if I have a dogs and cats, if I keep them inside?

Climb in a tree and act like a nut, thats what my grandmother always told me.

I'm sure it's probably a matter of getting the squirrel used to your presence, but I personally feel it's a bad idea. While squirrels don't carry a lot of diseases that are dangerous to humans, they can have rabies (which has a long incubation period) and they carry fleas, ticks and mites which you could inadvertantly transfer to you or your pets.

If the squirrel were startled while you were feeding it and bit you, it could be bad for both of you since the squirrel could have been exposed to rabies.

Sometimes it's best to just enjoy wild animals from afar, regardless of how interesting or beautiful they are :)

The best nuts to give would still be in the shell. They enjoy the crackling of removing the shell. They can carry diseases. People have been bitten severely. I've had them run up my leg and their claws are needle-sharp and very long and go right through denim even though they aren't trying to hurt you. They tend to grab with their front paws to hold onto food and hand-feeding them a nut can cause them to grab and puncture your fingers with their claws by mistake. Just pick a spot in your yard or scatter some peanuts in the same general area every day. The squirrels usually spot them from above very easily. Be safe and enjoy them from afar like already suggested.

About 15 years ago, my husband and I used to live in San Antonio, TX, and at the Air Force Base was a golf course. The golf players used to feed the squirrels. The quirrels were very friendly and came up to the people and waited for their treat. It was fun watching.

Now we live in Tennessee and the squirrels come up to our bird feeder and eat. However they run away when they hear us come out. I watch them through our screen door. Squirrels are so cute.

I guess you have to get them used to you, like the other posters have written.

Its possible could also be a little risky -I would never feed them without work gloves on and long sleeves. How I did it awhile back When he came around my feeder I use to sit and watch him eat from about a 12 foot distance -then I would put one special (either peanut or walnut or dog biscut in the bird feeder -he soon learned it was me doing this because they watch you. it will take time to build its trust, alot of pererverance and patience on your part will help. while your watching him eat it keep talking to him say things like yum yum good stuff let him get accustomed to your voice. after a few days, move in a bit close keep this pattern up .finally they will stay on the same limb and watch you put it in about 2 feet away. I actually fed it around the same time each day to give it a schedual one day I didnt come out on time and the little stinker started to scratch on my door for a nut. I was then able to hand feed it . (and wow did he enjoy the nut roll at christmastime(its sooo cute to watch them lick each little finger to get the sticky stuff from the cookie off)( and that fruitcake that no-one usually cares for? Its pure heaven to them.I was always cautious and always wore gloves -Tame as it seemed you need to remember...A wild animal is a wild animal) instict will take over if it gets frightened or startled with the wrong move on your part. Be very carefull.

I learned in a crazy way that squirrels do not carry rabies. I was on a walk, 9 months preggo, when I saw a hurt squirrel, and like a fool, attempted to pick it up in hopes that I could help. It bit the snot out of me and since i was preggo and worried about rabies, I went to the ER. The nurses made some calls and found out that they indeed do not carry rabies. I was very glad. And now I know this odd tidbit of information.

probably not carrying rabies in general but anything that is bit by something rabid surely will contract it. If any wild animal is acting a little odd or out in an unusual time of day for its species take caution anyway-not worth the risk and never pick an injured animal up with bare hands