Squirrels are such adorable creatures, and it is so much fun to watch them. They usually get a lot of attention from humans but not always for good reasons, though. Because sometimes they steal your tomatoes. Right?
They are so popular that they even have a National Appreciation Day on 21st January. Whenever someone thinks of a squirrel, they think of a fast, timid animal performing cute and daring aerobatic maneuvers.
Despite being mischievous, they are widely known because they are one of the wildest animals worldwide. People find joy when looking at them, but they immediately call rodent control services to get them out if they enter houses.
We wanted to discuss some amazing facts about squirrels to know more about this charismatic creature who shares our habitats.
Here are a few interesting facts about these tiny rodents that you may not be aware of.
Squirrels are astonishingly diverse
Squirrel is one of the mammals which has more than 270 species. That’s the highest number of species in a mammal. And they live everywhere from the cold regions like Canada to places in Southeast Asia which are mostly hot.
Squirrels come in different sizes
You would be surprised to hear that the difference in size from the smallest squirrel to the biggest squirrel is almost seven times! The smallest one can be around 13 centimetres. On the other hand, china’s red and white squirrel can grow up to 1 meter in length. Now that’s huge. Isn’t it?
Squirrels can find food buried under the snow
During the winter, squirrels have to struggle to find food. But they can smell the scent of food which is 1 foot under the snow. Once they figure out that food is under the snow, they will dig a tunnel to get the food. Some other squirrel might have kept the food.
They move in a zigzag to escape predators
Whenever the squirrels feel under threat, and the predator is hunting for them, they start to move in a zigzag pattern. This is one of the best strategies to escape predators. That is one of the reasons why so many squirrels are hit by cars every year. You don’t see them coming until the last minute.
Squirrels play a vital role in the food chain
The squirrel is a food source for many predators like snakes, owls, hawks, etc. Long ago, people used to hunt them to make different dishes, but nowadays, nobody eats them. They also used the skin to make various items for children and more.
The squirrels found on the trees are known as “Tree squirrels,” They mostly eat nuts, seeds, and fruits. The other squirrel, which is gray, eats insects.
Conclusion
We are fortunate to have these beautiful creatures, and it is fun to stare at them whenever it comes to your yard.
However, you should avoid feeding them and interacting with them, as they are wild animals. They carry several different diseases which could be transmitted to humans with direct contact.
If they got inside your house, they would cause many problems like chopping the electrical wires. So, if you have a problem with the squirrels, you can contact animal control Brampton to perform the pest control treatment.
Want to know more about squirrels? Contact us, and we will be happy to answer all your questions.