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Eastern Gray Squirrel
Sciurus carolinensis

Do I need to tell you about the squirrel? Probably not.

They are actually more impressive than you might think. Build a better bird feeder? Well, it might be the case that nothing is squirrel proof. Case in point: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hFZFjoX2cGg

Facts about the Gray Squirrel: It is one of a very few mammalian species that can descend a tree head-first. It does this by turning its feet so the claws of its hind paws are backward-pointing and can grip the tree bark. They are crepuscular (more active during the early and late hours of the day). You can eat them, but you don’t want to eat their brains (they may carry Creutzfeldt–Jakob disease). They sometimes try to trick other squirrels if they think or notice they are being watched, by pretending to bury food in a hole and cover it up, but actually hiding it in their cheek, and then burying it somewhere else.

Also? Yes, they are hoarders. This squirrel hid 42 GALLONS of walnuts in a man’s Chevrolet Avalanche truck.

Size: 9" - 12" long not including tail
Family: Sciuridae
Habitat: EVERYWHERE
Identification: Grayish brown color, white underside. A tree rodent with a bushy tail, little ears. You know what this thing is.
All text and photos copyright © 2022 Middle Way Nature Reserve, unless noted.
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