If you woke up bright-eyed and bushy-tailed this morning, it’s probably because today is National Squirrel Appreciation Day! While some people regard squirrels as little varmints, they’re actually some of the most industrious creatures in the animal kingdom. Found extensively throughout the Americas, Eurasia, and Africa, and a few species have been introduced to Australia. Squirrels are part of a large family of rodents called Sciuridae, which also includes prairie dogs, marmots, chipmunks, and woodchucks.
Because squirrels cannot digest cellulose, they depend greatly on a diet of nuts, seeds, fruits, fungi, and other green vegetation. The phrase “squirrel away” came from the squirrel’s propensity to gather acorns and bury them in preparation for winter. Early spring can be especially hard on these industrious animals. This is because as their buried acorns begin to sprout, they are transformed into a less than palatable food source. National Squirrel Appreciation Day was founded in 2001 by North Carolina wildlife rehabilitator Christy McKeown as a way to help these little guys out during the most critical season for their survival.
So how do you celebrate National Squirrel Appreciation Day? Well, the best way is by giving them a little boost in the food gathering department. People who regard squirrels as pests often do so because of the squirrel’s tendency to poach seed from a bird feeder. Perhaps installing a squirrel feeder away from the bird feeder will not only keep them away from the birds you love to observe from a quiet window, but can offer you a side show when the birds are elsewhere, all while filling a hungry squirrel’s belly. You can use corn, nuts, pinecones, small fruits, or even the same seeds you use to feed the birds.
But you don’t need a special day just to enjoy squirrels, as they are usually up to some pretty entertaining antics wherever trees and tall bushes can be found. Check out this adorable video of a rescued squirrel kitten whose destiny seems to be to stay a kitten forever, and don’t forget to throw a handful of peanuts in your backyard in honor of National Squirrel Appreciation Day!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fHT1nAX46dM
Featured Image from Daniel Olaleye/Unsplash
