50 Posts To Remind Us How Awesome Squirrels Are

Squirrels come in a lot of sizes, from the African pygmy squirrel and least pygmy squirrel at 10–14 cm (3.9–5.5 in) in total length and just 12–26 g (0.42–0.92 oz) in weight, to the Bhutan giant flying squirrel at up to 1.27 m (4 ft 2 in) in total length, and several marmot species, which can weigh 8 kg (18 lb) or more.

Tree squirrels are the types most commonly recognized, often pictured and recorded gracefully scampering up and leaping from branch to branch. They can be seen everywhere from woodlands to city parks, but although they are terrific climbers, these squirrels do come to the ground in search of nuts, acorns, berries, and flowers. They also eat bark, eggs, or baby birds. But to some of them, tree sap is the delicacy.

Other species are ground squirrels -- they live in burrows or tunnels, where some hibernate during the winter season. These guys eat nuts, leaves, roots, seeds, and other plants. They also catch and eat small animals such as insects and caterpillars. However, these tiny mammals have to be wary, as they themselves are tasty morsels for a lot of animals and have very few natural defenses.

Flying squirrels are a third type of squirrel. They live a bit like birds, in nests or tree holes. And even though they do not fly, they can move across the sky really gracefully. Flying squirrels glide, extending their arms and legs and cruising through the air from one tree to another. Flaps of skin connecting their limbs to the body provide a winglike surface, which help them to leap over 150 feet. Flying squirrels aren't picky eaters and eat nuts and fruit, insects and baby birds.

Like other rodents, squirrels' front teeth never stop growing so they don't have to worry about constantly crunching on something.