EXPLORING NATURE: SQUIRRELS

Not everyone likes squirrels.

Some homeowners tell of squirrels causing havoc in their attic after gnawing their way in and chewing down on assorted wires and cables. They call them “tree rats.”

My personal experience has been mostly favorable. While squirrels will do their best to eat from my hanging feeders, they are not overly successful and I don’t begrudge them a few sunflower seeds. I have a lot more trouble with pesky raccoons.

On my property, I have mainly two types of squirrels – fox and rock. I am told there are also flying squirrels throughout Texas, but they are seldom seen since they are largely nocturnal. I have never seen one.

Also found in Texas are black, western gray and antelope squirrels. Plus Mexican and 13-lined ground squirrels.

I have rock squirrels around my place and, as is common for this species, they live in a large rock pile on the edge of my acreage. They are mostly dark black, fading to salt and pepper on their hindquarters.

I also have fox squirrels. They like open, parklike woods and large mature trees that shade the ground and prevent underbrush from growing. I have such a tree, an ancient oak, in my backyard and it also supplies acorns, one of the favorite foods for fox squirrels. They also will eat insects, green shoots, buds, fruit and seeds.

Fox squirrels are mostly brownish-gray above, with reddish-yellow underparts. Abundant in central Texas, they weigh about two pounds and are about 20 inches long, from nose tip to tail tip. This time of year, they are busy storing up acorns and other nuts for the coming winter.

I hope your resident squirrels don’t get in your attic and I hope you get pleasure from watching their playful, active antics.