About Squirrels
Squirrels are small animals whose name is derived from the Greek language and translates to ‘shade tail’, one of the characteristics for which they are well known. They are among the smallest mammals and are usually found worldwide. The squirrel family includes ground squirrels, chipmunks, marmots, and flying squirrels but the most common and well-known ones are the tree squirrels.
Squirrel
Characteristics of Squirrel
Squirrels are generally small animals which range in size from 10 to 14 cm and 12-16 grams to 1.27 in total length and 8kg in weight. However they typically have slender bodies with very long bushy tails and large eyes, they also have soft and silky fur which ranges in thickness from species to species even the coat colour is also highly variable among different species.
In most of the species, the higher limbs are generally longer than the forelimbs and all of the species either have four or five toes on each foot. The tree squirrel, unlike the other mammals, descends a tree head first, they do so by rotating their ankles almost 180 degrees.
Squirrels can live in almost every habitat, from Tropical rainforests and deserts to higher polar regions. They are predominantly herbivores, but many of the species can also eat insects and other small vertebrae.
Almost all the species have an excellent sense of vision, and some of the species have a good sense of touch, their teeth are of typical rodent pattern with large incisors which continue to grow throughout their lives and cheek teeth, which are used for grinding.
The average lifespan of a squirrel ranges between 5 to 10 years, but some species can survive up to 10 to 20 years.
Types of Squirrels
To date more than 280 species of squirrel have been discovered. Some of the types of squirrels are mentioned below:
Tree squirrel
Flying squirrel
The American red squirrel
American Red Squirrel
Andean squirrel
Arizona grey squirrel
Bolivian squirrel
Brazilian squirrel
Calabrian black squirrel
Douglas squirrel
Eastern grey squirrel
Eurasian red squirrel
Fox squirrel
Fox squirrel
Japanese squirrel
Squirrel Habits
Almost all species of squirrel are majorly diurnal, that is, they gather food during the day and rest at night. Some species of squirrels are comparatively less active during the winter season but however, they do not hibernate, like some arctic animals (polar bears)
Most of the species are herbivores and eat vegetables, plants, fruits, seeds and nuts. Some of the species also eat small insects and vertebrates. On an average, a squirrel eats around one pound of food per week.
After acquiring food they usually dig and bury their food to save it for later. They have excellent olfactory abilities which help them smell the food source even from a large distance, as large as 30 cm.
Another habit that almost all species have is that they are very possessive of their habitat, and they usually build traditional nests over which they are highly protective.
Squirrel Diet
Most species of squirrels are herbivores, and their main diet consists of nuts, fruits, vegetables, plants and seeds. Some of the species are omnivores, and their diet consists of plants, vegetables, seeds, nuts, fruits and things like meat, eggs, small insects, caterpillars, some small vertebrates and even sometimes some small young snakes.
Squirrel Eating a Nut
Fun Facts About Squirrel
Some fun facts about Squirrel are:
Squirrels are actually rodents.
To date more than 280 species of squirrels have been identified and reported.
Squirrels usually eat nuts, and their next favourites are fruits and seeds.
Squirrels are born blind.
Flying squirrels can’t fly like birds.
They rather glide from tree to tree.
Chipmunks are small squirrels with characteristic stripes.
Chipmunks also have chubby cheek pouches for storing food.
Sample Questions
State whether the given statements are true or not:
1. There are more than 280 species of squirrels discovered so far.
Ans: True
2. Squirrels' forelimbs are bigger than their hind limbs.
Ans: False. Their hind limbs are bigger than their forelimbs.
3. Squirrels are carnivores.
Ans: False, they are mostly herbivores, and some can be omnivores.
Learn by Doing
Complete the given statements by filling in the blanks:
1. Squirrel is a _______.
Ans: rodent
2. Squirrels belong to the ______ family.
Ans: Sciurinae
3. Squirrels have a _____ and _____ tail.
Ans: thick, bushy
Summary
Squirrels are small to medium-sized rodent-like animals that are present all around the world, from tropical forests and deserts to higher polar regions. To date, more than 280 species of squirrels are known, and most of them are herbivores and feed on plants, vegetables, seeds, nuts and fruit, while some of the species are omnivores and also feed on meat, eggs, other small insects and their caterpillars and sometimes even young snakes.
They have a thick coat of fur, which can be of various different colours in different species, and they also have a thick bushy tail. Usually, their hind limbs are bigger than their forelimbs, which helps them climb.
FAQs on Facts About Squirrel for Kids
1. What is a squirrel?
A squirrel is a small mammal that belongs to the rodent family. They are known for their slender bodies, long bushy tails, and large eyes. Squirrels are very active and can often be seen climbing trees and running along branches with great agility.
2. What are the main characteristics of a squirrel?
Squirrels have several distinct characteristics that make them easy to recognise. Key features include:
A long, bushy tail that helps with balance and communication.
Sharp claws that are perfect for climbing trees.
Large, strong back legs that allow them to jump impressive distances.
Front teeth (incisors) that grow continuously, which they keep short by gnawing on nuts and wood.
3. What do squirrels eat?
Squirrels are primarily omnivores, which means they eat both plants and animals. Their main diet consists of nuts, seeds, fruits, and fungi. However, they might also eat insects, small birds, and eggs, especially when their favourite foods are scarce.
4. Where do squirrels live?
Most squirrels are arboreal, meaning they live in trees. They build nests called dreys, which are messy-looking balls of twigs, leaves, moss, and grass. These nests are usually located in the forks of tree branches or inside hollow tree cavities, providing a safe place to rest and raise their young.
5. Why do squirrels have such bushy tails?
A squirrel's bushy tail is a multi-purpose tool. It primarily acts as a balancing aid when they are running and leaping between tree branches. Additionally, the tail can be used as a blanket for warmth in winter, a parachute to slow a fall, and a way to communicate with other squirrels through flicking motions.
6. How do squirrels prepare for the winter?
Squirrels do not hibernate but prepare for winter by gathering and storing food. This behaviour is called caching. During the autumn, they bury hundreds of nuts and acorns in various locations. They rely on their strong sense of smell and excellent spatial memory to find these hidden food stores during the cold winter months when food is hard to find.
7. Do squirrels remember where they hide all their nuts?
While squirrels have a remarkable memory for locating their hidden caches, they do not find every single nut they bury. The forgotten nuts often sprout into new trees, making squirrels important for forest regeneration. So, by forgetting some of their food, they accidentally help plant new forests.
8. Are all squirrels the same size?
No, there is a wide variety of squirrel species, and they come in many different sizes. The smallest is the African pygmy squirrel, which is only about 10 cm long. In contrast, the largest species, like the Indian giant squirrel, can grow to be almost a metre long, including its tail.
9. How far is a squirrel able to jump?
Squirrels are incredible jumpers. A common species like the Eastern Grey Squirrel can leap up to 4 feet vertically into the air and can jump a horizontal distance of up to 9 feet between branches. This allows them to travel quickly through the treetops.
10. How long does it take for a baby squirrel to be born?
The time it takes for a baby squirrel to develop inside its mother is called the gestation period. For a grey squirrel, this period typically lasts between 40 to 44 days. After this time, a litter of baby squirrels, called kits or pups, is born.