Squirrel

Quick Facts

Genus: Ratufa

Location: All over the world, with the exception of Australia

Category: Uncategorized Tag: S

Did You Know

Adult squirrels have a lifespan of around 5 to 10 years in the wild.

Tree squirrels can rotate their ankles 180 degrees and climb down trees headfirst.

Squirrels range in size from 5 to 26 inches, and can weigh up to 4 lbs.

When danger approaches, squirrels warn each other with a whistling call.

The Scoop

The Scoop

Depending on their species, squirrels can range in size from a mere five inches long (African pygmy squirrel), to a staggering three feet long (Indian giant squirrel). Tree squirrels are the most common squirrel species, followed by ground squirrels and flying squirrels.

A typical squirrel diet consists of leaves, nuts, roots, seeds and small insects, but squirrels are also known to eat bark, eggs, baby birds and tree sap. Squirrels typically have bushy tails, large eyes and silky fur, with coloring that varies dramatically among species.

Squirrels are typically born in litters of two to eight, and live in trees or underground burrows. Baby squirrels are blind and rely solely on their mothers for the first two or three months of their lives. Because female squirrels have many litters each year, squirrel populations are large and constantly growing.