Learn About Chipmunks, Bats, Squirrels and Birds!
If you have looked out in the yard and seen squirrels chasing each other, they may not be fighting or playing. The chase may be part of the courtship process.
Squirrels chase each other for a variety of reasons. Young squirrels chase each other for fun while older squirrels chase each other to assert dominance in the mating process. When a squirrel population gets too crowded then they will chase each other to protect the limited food supply.
Most people know that squirrels like to eat peanuts and acorns but what about bird eggs? Squirrels are omnivores, which means that they eat both plants and meat.
Squirrels will absolutely eat bird eggs and baby birds! Squirrels are routinely seen raiding birds nests in trees and even stealing eggs from chicken coops. Eggs are a natural part of a squirrel’s diet but squirrels have not been shown to significantly impact bird populations.
If you are worried about squirrels in your neighborhood dining on bird eggs, take a moment to learn more about the typical squirrel diet.
Squirrels naturally look for nuts and native plants to fill their bellies. However, squirrels eat almost anything. The foods that they tend to look for include acorns, tree bark, flowers, fruits, vegetables, insects, and various plants.
Read all about it here: What Do Squirrels Eat? Two Big Surprises!
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Squirrels are agile animals. They can easily scurry up a tree or fence. Flying squirrels can even leap great distances through the air. While squirrels can perform many amazing feats their ability to swim is something that doesn’t get much publicity.
Squirrels are not great swimmers but can swim when needed. Gray, Fox and Red squirrels can swim a doggy paddle stroke using their tails as a rudder. Flying squirrels are much weaker swimmers as their gliding webbing is a hindrance in the water.
Similar to most land mammals, most squirrels can dog paddle through the water. Sometimes they use their tails to help steer. While squirrels are not efficient swimmers you can often spot them swimming across lakes and other large bodies of water.
Performing the dog paddle requires a lot of energy to travel a short distance.
Admittedly, watching squirrels is not something that is usually thought of when it comes to productivity. The thing is, though, that observing these entertaining little critters is a great way to learn more about how to make yourself more productive.
Don’t laugh – I’ve learned plenty from squirrels. If you are willing to take a few minutes to consider how they live, you can learn a lot.
