Squirrels are nature's acrobats

Bounding from tree limb to tree limb, running up and down and all around, chattering and squeaking, the gray squirrel plays endlessly through the treetops.

There are many things to learn about this energetic creature.

Three kinds of squirrels live in Florida – the fox squirrel, the southern flying squirrel and the eastern gray squirrel, which is the most common one.

Eastern gray squirrels are a part of the rodent family, like rats and mice.

Squirrels have bushy, gray-brown tails; small, pointy ears; whiskers; and a gray body that is 8 to 12 inches long. Their tail adds another 6 inches.

The tail is its most familiar feature. The mammal uses it for many things. When the tail twitches, a squirrel may be saying to other squirrels, “Get away! That nut is mine!”

A squirrel’s tail is very useful. It helps with balance and serves as a blanket in cold weather, an umbrella on rainy days and a shield in a fight.

Gray squirrels live in trees – either in hollowed-out areas or in a nest. Ground squirrels (chipmunks, groundhogs and prairie dogs) live in holes in the ground.

Squirrels are acrobats and can climb and jump to all sorts of places. How many times have you seen squirrels “rob” bird feeders? People spend a lot of time trying to make bird feeders that squirrels cannot get into.

These animals are accidental farmers. The seeds and nuts they drop or bury sometimes sprout and become baby plants.

Get Outdoors Florida!

Can you spot an oak tree, a favorite source of food for squirrels?

Look under the tree to see if there are acorns on the ground. Can you crack one with a rock? Squirrels do it with their sharp teeth. American Indians used acorns for food, but first they had to remove the shells, pound the nuts with rocks and rinse or soak the pieces many times to remove the bitter taste. Then they ate the mushy meal as a good source of protein.

Acorns look like little elf heads with hats. Can you draw little faces on them?

Jumpin’ Jiminy!

Think about the squirrel’s gymnastic abilities. Some can jump up to 6 feet! For a foot-long squirrel, that is six times its body length. How tall are you? Ask a parent to measure you. If you are 4 feet tall, and you jumped six times your body length, you would have to travel 24 feet, or eight yards.

Now go outside and measure that distance.

Then see how far you can jump. Do not be too disappointed, though. Squirrels can do many things people cannot.

Contact Jessica Basham at jessica.basham@MyFWC.com.