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Reading facts about squirrels helps students learn about this intelligent and important member of the ecosystem. Found in diverse habitats and countries, squirrels are characterised by their bushy tails, sharp claws, and eating nuts and seeds. Did you know that squirrels are diurnal? This is why you can see them running around and gathering food during the day. Interestingly, squirrels unintentionally play a key role in seed dispersion, leading to forest regeneration. However, there is a lot about them that students do not usually know. Therefore, in this blog, you will read more interesting facts about squirrels to learn about their appearance, species, habits, and behaviour and improve your general knowledge.
Table of Contents
| Particular | Squirrel Facts |
| Sound | Rattle, screech, snort, and bark |
| Diet of Squirrels | Nuts, seeds, flowers, buds, mushrooms, and fungi |
| Predators of Squirrels | Birds, coyotes, foxes, raccoons, domestic cats, and snakes |
| Squirrel Lifespan | In the wild: 5-10 years In captivity: 10-20 years |
10 Interesting Facts About Squirrels
These interesting facts about squirrels are a great way to help young learners enhance their knowledge about squirrel habits and traits. Keep on reading to find what differentiates them from other animals.
1. The word “squirrel” comes from Greek for “Shadow Tail”.
2. There are more than 278 species of squirrels worldwide.
3. Squirrels are found in every continent except Antarctica and Australia.
4. A group of squirrels is called a scurry or dray.
5. Squirrels can smell and find food hidden beneath a foot of snow.
6. Squirrels dig tunnels to dig out buried food.
7. They have four front teeth which never stop growing. They grow at a rate of about six inches per year.
8. They can lose 25% of their buried food to other squirrels who are hunting for food.
9. When squirrels feel threatened by predators, they run in a zigzag pattern to escape.
10. A newborn baby squirrel measures only about an inch.
Amazing Facts About Squirrels
Like many other animals, squirrels have evolved to adapt to harsh winters and dry summers. Read these amazing facts about squirrels to learn about their survival strategies and more.
1. Squirrels eat more and gain weight to stay warm during cold winter months.
2. They do not dig up all buried seeds and nuts which end up being trees.
3. Some ground squirrels collect old rattlesnake skin, chew on it, and then lick their fur to create a unique type of rattlesnake perfume.
4. Squirrels can transmit diseases to humans by biting and scratching.
5. They use tail movements and high-frequency chirps to communicate.
6. Sometimes squirrels make sounds to scare predators, ask for food, or initiate mating.
7. Flying squirrels use skin flaps present between their limbs to glide from tree to tree.
8. Some flying squirrels can leap 300 feet in a single glide.
9. They have 4 extremely sharp toes on their front feet and 5 on back feet which are ideal for gripping tree bark.
10. Squirrels can eat about 1.5 pounds every week which is about the same as their own body weight.
Cool Facts About Squirrels
These tiny and adorable creatures are a part of a big family. Here are some cool facts about squirrels that you might not know about:
1. The word squirrel refers to a big family of different members such as flying squirrels, marmots, chipmunks, prairie dogs, and ground squirrels.
2. Tree squirrels are the most common type of squirrels.
3. Squirrels have long bushy tails and small upward-pointed ears.
4. Their thick coat comes in different shades like brown, red, and grey with unique markings in some species.
5. Squirrels can be found in deserts, urban areas, tropical rainforests, polar regions, and parks.
6. They have the ability to rotate their hind feet.
7. Some squirrels use their bushy tails to protect themselves from the rain.
8. Their strong sense of smell helps them find food.
9. Squirrel nests are called ‘dreys’.
10. Their padded feet protect them even from 20-foot-high jumps.
11. Their eyes are placed in a manner which allows them to see behind them.
12. Squirrels are born blind and hairless.
GK Question Quiz about Squirrels with Answers
| Q.No. | GK Questions |
| 1. | What do squirrels primarily eat? |
| 2. | Where do squirrels typically build their nests? |
| 3. | Do squirrels hibernate in winter? |
| 4. | How do squirrels communicate with each other? |
| 5. | What is a group of squirrels called? |
| 6. | Are squirrels rodents? |
| 7. | What is the largest squirrel species? |
| 8. | How do squirrels help in seed dispersal? |
| 9. | Do squirrels have good eyesight? |
| 10. | Can squirrels drink water? |
Check Your Answers Here!
- Nuts, seeds, fruits, and insects.
- In tree hollows or in nests they build with twigs and leaves.
- No, squirrels don’t hibernate. They store food for winter and remain active.
- Squirrels communicate using a variety of vocalizations, body language, and scent markings.
- A drey or a scurry.
- Yes, squirrels are rodents, belonging to the family Sciuridae.
- The giant squirrel, found in Southeast Asia.
- Squirrels often bury nuts and seeds, which can sprout into new trees.
- Yes, squirrels have excellent eyesight, which helps them spot predators and find food.
- Yes, squirrels can drink water, but they primarily get their hydration from the food they eat.
FAQs on Squirrel Facts
5 points about squirrels include that there are about 278 species of squirrels, they eat nuts and seeds, they use tail movements and chirps to communicate, they make tunnels to dig buried food, and lastly, they have extremely sharp toes to grip the tree bark.
One special fact about squirrels is that their front teeth keep growing throughout their lives.
While some species such as grey squirrels have 22 teeth, other breeds have only about 20. Moreover, squirrels grow and lose milk teeth just like human beings.
Interesting Reads
Hope you enjoy reading these facts about squirrels. If you want to know more about topics like this, then visit our Interesting Facts and General Knowledge page!