When I was little these were called something like "squirrels" but now, as a home owner, I refer to these guys as "miniature tree rats." The full "tree rat," in some countries, is called "opossum." The miniature tree rat is the often the deserving recipient of something called, " a bullet."
I can't prove this biblically, but I'm pretty sure that the existence of the opossum is a direct result of the Fall. It is truly a tree rat.
I'll be over with my .22..
My grandparents occasionally eat "miniature tree rats." Hey, free food, right?
lol, the last time I was at L'Abri we had a few people who found some bb guns in the L'Abri house and for the rest the term whenever you heard a crow or saw a squirrel, you knew Cole or Catherine would be outside with a gun... (The best part was thinking about how this looked to the outside world - A house that has a bunch of different people living and working there, sharing meals, and carrying around guns. Ahh... L'Abri :). )
I too have had "tree rat" and it is really good in the right gravy. Way better than rabbit or snapping turtle.
Obviously you are not a tree rat hugger.
Squirrels are obnoxious. Opossums are downright gross. I hate them.