Eastern gray squirrel contemplates another raid on the bird feeders (photo by
Ken Thomas via Wikimedia Commons)
21 January 2019
When January 21 is the third Monday of the month, an unofficial celebration also falls on a federal holiday. Today in 2019, 21 January is Martin Luther King Jr. Day and Squirrel Appreciation Day.
Founded in 2001 by North Carolina wildlife rehabilitator Christy McKeown, Squirrel Appreciation Day is a good excuse to learn about squirrels:
We have four native squirrels in western Pennsylvania: Eastern gray squirrel, southern flying squirrel, fox squirrel, and American red squirrel, pictured below.
Did you know that black squirrels are actually gray squirrels with black fur?
- Gray squirrels are brownish in summer and turn grayer in winter.
- North American squirrels walked across the isthmus of Panama to get to South America. That’s how South America got squirrel species (Sciurus): Red-tailed squirrel (S. granatensis), Brazilian squirrel (S. aestuans), Southern Amazon red squirrel (S. spadiceus), and Guayaquil squirrel (S. stramineus).
- Squirrels are cute when they aren’t destroying bird feeders.
- Squirrels are not so cute when they take over an attic. They make noise, leave droppings, chew electrical wires and tear up insulation to make a nice fiberglass bed.
- Squirrels unwittingly plant trees when they bury acorns. Learn more in this video by Joe Stavish at Tree Pittsburgh.
How shall we celebrate Squirrel Appreciation Day? This one suggests that we give him a handout.
I topped off all my bird feeders yesterday, so the gray and red squirrels in my neighborhood should be well fed today. The red squirrels are fiercely territorial. I’ve seen them intimidate the gray squirrels and chase them away many times. The grays learn to run in for food when the reds aren’t looking.
P.S. Loved the mini series on clouds.
Your St. James Squirrel photo is priceless!!
You’ve captured the essence of squirrel. Thanks again for your wonderful blog.
I put up a squirrel feeder this year, filled it with cheap dried corn you can find in the birdseed aisle, and we now have a white squirrel. Never seen one before. Pure white. (Albany, NY.)
I am so passionate about squirrels, but until today didn’t know we had a day to honor them, thank you for sharing, and for sharing your love and respect for them. My retirement plan is to do an ethological study of squirrels, in whatever state I am in at that stage of my life!