Squirrel Facts

Grey squirrels have been known to kill and eat rabbits, rats, cockerels and stoats.
Flying squirrels are nocturnal, and when gliding may emit high-pitched squeaks that help them to locate a landing place.
North American red squirrels tap birch and maple trees for their sweet sap in spring.
Many squirrel species spread woodland trees by burying nuts and then forgetting where they put them.
The North American red squirrel, or chicaree, buries green pine cones in damp soil to delay their ripening until they are needed.
The largest member of the squirrel family is the alpine marmot, at 73 cm long not including the tail.
Southeast Asian giant squirrels prefer to hang upside down by their hind feet while eating.
Chipmunks, or ground squirrels, store huge quantities of nuts in a single cache.
To prevent it slipping backwards down a tree trunk, the scaly-tailed flying squirrel presses the horny scales of its tail against the trunk.
An adult red squirrel can sniff out a pine cone buried 30 cm deep.
The chipmunk is one of the most common small mammals in North America.
The squirrel’s bushy tail is a good balancing aid and rudder when climbing and leaping.

This entry is filed under Interesting Facts.