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Squirrels are interesting creatures because they do not damage much in the yard, but they seem to be present all the time and become a nuisance in other ways. Their most destructive nature appears when you have bird feeders in the yard because they like to try to find food in every way possible. Wood feeders are the most endangered because squirrels chew them to extract the contents. Metal feeders tend to hurt their teeth a bit more and create more barriers. They also dig many holes around the yard in the fall as they attempt to bury the collected food. I notice it especially in my gardens where I have mulch because it is scattered all over the place and usually not where it is supposed to be!
These curious creatures are part of the rodent family, but I must admit that they are much more cute than mice and rats in the same group. Squirrels have that cute face with their resting ears and their big eyes that seem to absorb everything around them. Their eyes are placed on the sides of their faces, allowing them to see both in front and behind them. This is a good thing when they have to constantly look for predators such as hawks, foxes, raccoons and owls, to name just a few.
They have a cheerful character, which is seen when they run and jump in the trees. Sometimes I consider them as northern monkeys because they can move from one tree to another without effort. Their large, fluffy tails are typically the same size as the rest of their bodies and their fur is very smooth and soft to the touch. They are so irresistible, but I would not recommend too much friendship because they can bite if you try to feed them by hand.
Squirrels are unique in their design because they have double-hinged hind legs that allow them to hang on trees and climb them quickly. They have sharp claws that easily fit on the bark for a secure support system. Their hind legs have five toes each, while their forelegs only contain four toes. Their large tail is used for balance and navigation when conditions are difficult while fleeing a difficult situation.
There are nearly 350 different types of squirrels in the world, on every continent, with the exception of Antarctica and Australia. They are native to the Americas and Eurasia and were introduced to Africa at a later date. The most common types we have in our area are western and eastern gray squirrels, red squirrel and flying squirrel. Gray squirrels are almost twice as big as red squirrels and seem to be the most common. The flying squirrel is not seen almost as often as it is a nocturnal species.
Flying squirrels do not fly, but fly in the air from a high point to a lower point. They have a skin flap that is attached from the body to the four limbs. When they jump from a tree tops, this shutter acts as a parachute and lets them slide down to the ground floor. In some cases they can travel up to 150 feet in this way.
Squirrels live between 10 and 12 years old and are sexually mature at the age of 1 year. They usually have two litters a year with between two and eight babies each time. Babies are born without fur and blind and remain so for almost two months. They rely on the mother to feed them until adulthood.
Nuts, berries and seeds rich in fats, carbohydrates and starches are the main source of food for these animals. These all act as an excellent source of energy during the winter months, when food can become scarce. In the fall, they collect these objects and bury them in the ground. Many times, they rub the food product against the side of their face and then bury it. This practice involves transferring their scent to the item so that they can smell it later in the winter. They have good memories of where they have hidden these objects and can feel them even under a foot of snow.
Spring bulbs are also a treat for squirrels as they are the ideal source of starch. They usually go after tulips and crocus, but do not support the taste of daffodils or alliums. A good way to protect your bulbs in the fall is to put a piece of wire on the surfaces of your bulbs. This acts as a barrier, which prevents them from digging into the ground. This can be lifted from the ground once spring arrives.
In spring, when their food sources are gone, they tend to tend to eat tree buds, sap, insects and caterpillars. If they face difficult times of rare food, they may even resort to eating eggs and baby birds to survive.
I have heard many people talk about them as parasites, but I think they are rather harmless and enjoyable to watch. If you want to encourage them in your garden, try making a dish of unsalted peanuts and other unsalted nuts and seeds and watch them gather. You will also see new species of birds adept nuts join the party. During this time of year, you can admire the creatures of nature at their best. Instead of thinking of ways to get rid of it, it might be easier to think of ways to coexist with them in a harmonious balance.
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