Essay by JollygreenCollege, UndergraduateA+, November 2005

download word file, 4 pages 5.0 1 reviews

It's funny how squirrels seem like this fun loving creature that wouldn't harm a fly. You would be surprised if you found out what and how a squirrel causes problems to many things our environment. Squirrels are really just a pesky rodent that everyone loves to watch, but doesn't want them to be anywhere near their gardens or homes etc. Basically either let them damage your belongings and cost you money, take the time and money to control them and save you money in the long run.

Squirrel (Sciurus carolinensis) is a common name for many rodents belonging to the same family as the woodchuck, chipmunk, and also the prairie dog. The tree and ground squirrels include about 230 species and the so-called flying squirrels include about 43 species. Squirrels vary in length from 14-21 inches and in weight from 3/4-1 1/2 pounds; the fox squirrel is generally larger, having a length from 19-29 inches and a weight from l-3 pounds.

Except for the ground squirrels, the animals live mainly in trees, and their food is largely vegetable (especially nuts, seeds, and buds), although they occasionally eat insects. Their habit of storing seeds helps in the dispersion of trees and other plant forms. In colder climates, ground squirrels commonly hibernate; tree squirrels do not. In general, these two species live most of their lives in the vicinity of a particular tree and seldom travel farther than 200 yards (183 m) from home in any one season. In any patch of woods or forest, squirrels live in loose colonies. All the members of one colony recognize each other and are familiar with all the nest sites and food sources in the area. A squirrel's home is a leafy nest located in an opening or fork of a tree. Cavities suitable for...