Squirrels can be so fascinating to watch. The way they go about their day – always in a hurry. Here are some interesting facts you might not have known.
- International Squirrel Appreciation Day is 21 January
- A squirrel’s teeth never stop growing.
- Squirrels from around the world stash their food for the cold winter months.
- Some squirrels will bury nuts, seeds and other food items in various areas in the ground so that they can dig them up again when food is scarce. The problem is that most squirrels forget about all the seeds that they’ve ‘planted’ and the seeds germinate and grow. And that is how ‘accidental forests’ have been created and other forests have been sustained.
- Being so small, it is no wonder that the squirrel has learnt a few survival techniques. This little creature knows that other animals watch him and then steal the food he stashes for winter. So, the squirrel will pretend to bury his food in a hole but will then bury it for real somewhere else. It doesn’t always work, and it is estimated that a quarter of his food will get stolen.
- When it comes to surviving predators, like snakes, the Cape ground squirrel will use mobbing behaviour. A dray of squirrels will rush at the predator and try to block him off with their bushy tails.
- They distract the predator, giving the rest of the family a chance to flee and be safe. If the predator doesn’t back off, the squirrels who caused the distraction will quickly scatter in different directions. But at least the family had a chance to get to safety.
- Watching a squirrel can be so entertaining. This little critter is a real acrobat and always busy – just like the White Rabbit in Alice in Wonderland. He also has a sense of humour and loves to play.
- When he runs away, it is mostly in a zig-zag pattern.
