Squirrel Appreciation Day is a day to celebrate and honor squirrels and the contribution they make to the environment. On this day, people are encouraged to venture into the woods or go for a hike and watch the squirrels. Take some nuts and seeds to feed them. See how many types of squirrels you can see.
History of Squirrel Appreciation Day
Squirrel Appreciation Day was created in 2001 by a wildlife rehabilitator from North Carolina. The rehabilitator wanted to acknowledge the contribution that squirrels make to nature.
How many trees are planted by squirrels worldwide when they bury acorns? An estimated a billion plus! The squirrels forget where they bury them and the acorns sprout.
Facts about squirrels:
The front four teeth of squirrels grow about 6 inches a year. It’s only the squirrel’s constant gnawing that keeps them under control.
A group of squirrels is called a scurry.
There are 265 squirrel species all over the world.
There are 44 species of flying squirrels.
Wild squirrels will eat out of a human’s hand.
Grey squirrels will build nests called dreys, high up in trees.
Tips for a squirrel friendly backyard
Many people leave out a birdbath filled with water for squirrels in the backyard because squirrels are always in need of a clean source of water. Many people will also leave out a variety of nuts for the squirrels in their backyard. These nuts include acorns and hazelnuts. Some people also plant a variety of trees and shrubs to give squirrels in their backyard the cover and food sources they need. Some of these trees and shrubs include oaks, pines, hazelnut bushes and smooth sumac trees.
Go out and watch squirrels in the wilderness. They are more than “rats” with tails as some describe them. They are comical.
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