[going hot]

a couple of lives ago I had the squirrel cornered, at the top of the the pine tree, roughly 60 feet up. I was bent on capturing it, was going to make it a pet. ( I was young and an avid tree climber). I got real close, with my gloves on and everything and he had no where to go unless he came past me

The damn thing jumped, not to the next branch, but clear of the tree!

He sailed down to the ground, tracked by my eyeballs, landed with a thud, and scurried over to the oak next door and ran up the stump, chattering definite comments related to my lineage and upbringing.

Squirrel may have a long ride down, but they usually survive and the subsequent sudden impact is doable, for a squirrel. their terminal velocity is survivable.

For this particular one, he no doubt caught the "E" ticket.

[Utilizer]

See My previous.

[Salamander]

‘Bout a million years ago, I saved a squirrel from certain death on a busy road.

He was gripping a walnut firmly in his jaws whilst dodging rush hour traffic.

I threw a towel over him and hustled him into my car.

Then I went to the dumpster behind a liquor store to get a box to transport him to safer environs.

As I tried to put him in the box he shot out of the towel and used my bottom lip as a springboard to freedom.

He launched out the car window and disappeared to a housing development nearby, walnut still firmly clenched.

[every time I see “Ice Age”, Scrat make me think of him]

I still have the “interesting” scar from his hind claws.

[Revelation 911]

personally, I see the act as cruel.

As for your story - I saw something similar last year - two squirrels fighting in the crown of an old oak. Both fell about 60' - hit with a thud and ran up the tree - still fighting