Squirrels victim of perimeter road kill?

The squirrel population on campus may be dwindling due to all the ongoing construction.

"There seems to be fewer squirrels on campus," said Marda West, professor of biology. "I know the construction has made a difference."

The eastern fox squirrels, which made CSUS their home sometime in the 70s, share the campus not only with students but a wide assortment of various birds, including chickens, and now construction workers and their equipment. With trees cut down and grass or dirt areas paved over, the territorial squirrels have had no choice but to go elsewhere for a home.

"I hope this is President Gerth's last erection," said West.

In addition to the construction, West also believes that two red-shouldered hawks may be preying on the creatures. The hawks have made the redwood trees outside the science building their home. West says she often hears them calling back and forth.

West does not believe that anyone at the school is poisoning the squirrels.

"Under no circumstances are they poisoning them," said West, who did say that skunks were once trapped near the temporary buildings.

Many of the squirrels aren't shy and gravitate toward areas where food is abundant. But West warns against teasing a squirrel.

"If you toy with them and tease them and then don't feed them, they will bite you," said West. But catching rabies from a squirrel on campus is unlikely West said.

"There are no rabies whatsoever in these squirrels," said West. "There are no other transmittable diseases either, but they do have mites and parasites."

CSUS was also once home to burrowing owls, pheasants, and jackrabbits, many of which were also displaced when CSUS was paved and expanded. West believes most of the animals took to the American River Parkway, which sits adjacent to campus.

Some animals still do often wander out of the parkway and on to campus. West said golden and bald eagles, coyotes, deer, skunks, opossums, and even a mountain lion have all made their way onto campus.