It's Squirrel Appreciation Day! What could be better than getting caught up on all the latest squirrel news?
Imaginary squirrels can be helpful or harmful
A man heard a sound at night that he dismissed as the pitter-patter of tiny squirrel feet. He went back to sleep and woke up when the sound was much louder and he realized that in fact his house was on fire. Luckily, he was not injured, although the home was a goner.
In Omaha, Nebraska, an intoxicated man who was causing a disturbance told police he was on the run from a “pink squirrel with sharp teeth.” He was later taken in for psychiatric evaluation.
Squirrels are gonna shut you down
Squirrel-related power outages recently happened in Redding, CA, Charleston, RI, Tampa, FL (again!), Forest Park in Cincinatti, OH (leading the local high school to be dismissed early), Santa Clarita Valley, CA, and Kansas City, MO.
“Chicken of the tree”
Eating squirrel is gaining popularity, it’s not just for J-Law and rednecks any more. The lean meat is supposedly gamey but tasty. I’m a veg, so I won’t be trying it out. You can even buy it on-line.
Grey squirrel invasion
The grey squirrel controversy continues, with the UK about to spend millions of tax payer’s money to kill grey squirrels in order to protect the endangered red squirrel. Some of that money will also go toward squirrel birth control. Some people are unhappy (at least about the cull, I’m not sure if the Catholics will opposed birth control for squirrels).
Meanwhile Europeans fear a grey squirrel invasion of their own, with the French and Swiss up in arms about Italian grey squirrels hitting their turf (note, they are actually American squirrels who were brought to Italy many years ago).
Squirrel sports
No we’re not talking about a sports event interrupted by squirrels, we’re talking about a competition designed FOR squirrels. This awesome British dude created an assault course in his back yard, the Squirrel Grand Nutional. It’s almost as good as the feral cat fish-lifting competition.
Photo Ops
Holiday Stocking
A little post-holiday joy, as if you haven’t had enough of santa, a cute squirrel playing with a stocking.
New meaning of “robo-squirrel”
No, not the Republican-labeled "government pork" study - squirrels will eat from a giant horsehead mask, a squirrel head mask, so why not a robot mask?
Mom with babies
Watch a mama squirrel move her babies, then take a well-deserved nap.
A squirrel makes a snowball
Or this photo was completely a set up
Have you ever been peed on by a squirrel?
Twiggy the famous squirrel apparently loves waterskiing and water sports.
Have you ever seen a squirrel tongue?
It’s a bit strange.
“Shocking” incident
The Irish News reported that this park squirrel “shocked” children by climbing all over them looking for food. I guess nothing shocks me much anymore. At least not when it comes to hungry squirrels.
Look up! It’s a bird, it’s a plane, it’s a…squirrel nest!
If you take a moment to look up, you will likely see a drey (a squirrel nest) or two dotting the trees.
Predator vs Prey
Bobcat carries dead squirrel around
Kitty’s gotta eat
Flipping out
Watch these ground squirrels practice their evasive leap maneuver to avoid a simulated snake. These squirrels are known for throwing rocks at snakes, and perhaps even taunting them with their tail flagging.
Who is predator and who is prey?
Eagles chase this squirrel out of their nest – squirrels are known for making snacks of birds’ eggs.
Squirrel fashion
I’ve previously written about squirrel sweaters. Dita Von Teese (who is she again?) made a splash recently with this squirrel-skirt.
Belding’s Ground Squirrels – in decline – and eating each other?
Note that this click-bait title is misleading, there is nothing about squirrels eating each other in this article. It does talk about the impact of climate change on this little rodent friend, and the impact of the BGS on the local crops.
