You might love tossing a peanut to a squirrel, but those nuts can cause real harm if you’re not careful. Peanuts often carry aflatoxin and other risks, so giving raw or heavily salted peanuts can actually hurt a squirrel’s liver or overall health. This post walks through which peanut types are safer, how to prep…
Ever looked up at a squirrel and wondered how it can leap (or even drop) from a crazy height and just scamper away like nothing happened? Squirrels pull off these wild falls because they’re light, splay themselves out to slow down, and land in ways that keep their bones safe. That’s really the gist of…
You’ve probably seen squirrels darting around trees and wondered, “What are they up to?” They chase each other for all sorts of reasons—territory, mating, and just plain play. I’ll walk you through how to spot the difference. Most of the time, squirrels chase to compete for mates, guard their food or territory, or help young…
Ever watched a squirrel munch on a buckeye and wondered why it doesn’t keel over? Squirrels eat buckeyes because they use their sense of taste, careful chewing, and learned habits to dodge the most toxic parts and limit how much they eat. Let’s get into which parts of the buckeye are actually risky. Squirrels seem…
Ever watch a squirrel crack open a nut and wonder how on earth it manages those bitter acorns? Squirrels eat acorns because their teeth, jaws, and digestive systems can handle tough shells and the tannins that most other animals avoid. This ability gives them a steady, high-energy food source through fall and winter. You’ll see…
Ever watched a squirrel flick its tail and wondered what on earth it’s trying to say? Squirrels twitch their tails to send out quick signals—maybe warning others, showing they’re annoyed, or just sharing a social cue. They also use those tails for balance, which is pretty clever if you ask me. If you keep an…
Ever spot a baby squirrel or catch one sipping from a saucer? You might start wondering if squirrels can actually drink milk safely. Adult squirrels really can’t digest cow’s milk well, and giving them dairy can cause diarrhea, pain, and dehydration—so it’s best to skip regular milk. If you find a tiny, orphaned squirrel, focus…
If you trace back far enough, the very first squirrel shows up as a small early-Eocene mammal that lived tens of millions of years ago. Fossils of this ancient animal reveal the key traits that connect it to today’s squirrels—claws for climbing, teeth for gnawing, and a body built for life in the trees. As…
Ever caught a squirrel flicking its tail and wondered what on earth it’s trying to say? Most of the time, that twitchy little move is a pretty clear signal: the squirrel’s either warning about danger, showing it’s annoyed, or just keeping its balance as it scurries around. Usually, when a squirrel shakes its tail, it’s…
Ever watched a squirrel fall from a crazy height, only to see it dash off like nothing happened? Squirrels survive terminal velocity because their small mass, big surface area, and unique body shape slow their fall to a nonlethal speed, so a long drop usually doesn’t faze them. Let’s dig into how their tails, limb…