By Amber Prinkey
There are over 200 different species of squirrels but just three in Florida, the Eastern Gray Squirrel, Fox Squirrel, and Southern Flying Squirrel (which doesn’t actually fly, instead they have a special membrane between their front and back legs that allows them to glide through the air between trees). Some people think these fuzzy little rodents are pests because they may make a nest in your house or dart out in front of your car (Squirrels will use a zig-zag pattern to run away from predators, which doesn’t work very well on cars so keep an eye out for them and don’t be surprised if they double back!). They also steal birdseed from feeders and terrorize your pets… but this is Squirrel Appreciation Day so let’s focus on their good qualities!
First, where did all of these squirrels come from? Although squirrels are native to North America, in the 1800’s they were introduced to city parks to add interest and entertainment. While we have many other things to entertain us now, watching their acrobatics and other silly behaviors (like pretending to stash nuts to trick onlookers) can still be a source of fun!
Luckily, squirrels don’t want your food like rats and mice do, instead, they eat acorns, hickory nuts, butternuts, beechnuts, maple seeds, as well as berries, mushrooms, and some field crops, such as pumpkins and corn. They are well adapted to finding food and some can find food buried beneath a foot of snow with their incredible sense of smell. However, squirrels won’t dig up all the nuts that they bury under the ground which makes them responsible for planting many trees!
Gray squirrels typically mate in late winter/early spring and have litters of 2-7 “kits.” They are born blind and dependent on their mother but grow quickly and can be on their own at 8-10 weeks, allowing mom to have a second litter mid-summer.
Many people may find baby squirrels and want to help them but often mom can rescue them by picking them up by their scruff and returning them to the nest. People idealize raising baby wild animals like squirrels as their own pets, but it is not only illegal in Florida but also dangerous- to the humans and to the squirrels. They can be aggressive plus they require extra care and special food. The best thing you can do if you find a baby squirrel is to call a wildlife center like ours for advice before you remove the animal from the wild.
