Fun Facts About Squirrels

Writing Prompt

You’re walking through the woods one day and suddenly you hear from overhead, “Where are you going?”

Looking up, you see this . . .

Red Squirrel, high in the branches of a white pine tree.

What would you do? What would you say back?

While this squirrel didn’t exactly talk to me that day, it chittered and chattered while standing there, leaning against the tree. I had to chuckle and wished I could understand what it was trying to say.

Here are some squirrel facts you can add to your story:

  • There are over 200 species of squirrels! Gray squirrels, red squirrel, flying squirrels and more!
  • Yet, there are three kinds of squirrels: Ground squirrels, tree squirrels and flying squirrels.
  • Squirrels eat mostly nuts, fruit and seeds. They’ll also eat eggs, small animals, insects, and young snakes.
  • Their big eyes are to see predators and climb trees
  • Flying Squirrels don’t really fly, they glide up to 300 feet between trees!
  • Squirrels use their tail for balance, to signal other squirrels in the area and use it as a blanket in colder weather.
  • A group of squirrels is called a dray or a scurry.
  • Baby squirrels are called kits

I just love the squirrels that visit my feeder! I’ve watched them try to steal a queen sized blanket I’d put on a railing to air out . . .

Still another liked tried to hide when he saw me heading for the bird feeder . . .

And once, my little campers saved a squirrel baby, called a kit or kitten, that had fallen out of its nest. They called an expert, who took the kit, nursed it back to health and and then released it back into the wild.

Here’s a video I found about rescuing orphaned squirrels. It shows a little kit from infant through its release.

Some people think squirrels are pests, but I think they are very clever and fun to watch in my backyard. What do you think?

Happy writing everyone! I’d love to hear your story!

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