National Squirrel Awareness Month

National Squirrel Awareness Month is a holiday dedicated to the appreciation of these cute and furry animals. It was initiated in 1995 by Greg Bassett, who, after a chance encounter with a squirrel, founded a club to spread awareness of the important role that squirrels play in the ecological system.

History

National Squirrel Awareness Month was founded in 1995 by Greg Bassett. The idea came after he had a chance meeting with a squirrel that he found fascinating. He then founded a club with like-minded people to spread awareness of the animals and their importance in the ecosystem.

There are more than 200 species of squirrels, including ground squirrels, chipmunks, flying squirrels, and lumberjacks. Interestingly, they were not common in America in the 19th century. To ensure their presence in city parks, it was necessary to take care of the landscape and change the public’s perception of squirrels, emphasizing the importance of not killing them, but instead feeding them.

Interesting facts

• Their average life expectancy is 8 years.
• An adult individual’s growth does not exceed 38 inches, and their weight does not exceed 2 kilograms.
• They can forget the places where they hid food.
• They can collect enough food for several months in just 1 day.
• Their tail can make them drown in water, although they are excellent swimmers.
• They are born without teeth.
• They can navigate in the dark.
• They have pronounced hamster instincts.

How to take part

If you want to participate in National Squirrel Awareness Month, you can visit places where squirrels live and observe their habits. You may even be able to feed them by hand – just find out what they eat. You can also take a camera and capture some fun pictures to post on social media and share with your friends.

If you can’t meet squirrels in person, you can also watch programs dedicated to their lives to learn more about them.

When is National Squirrel Awareness Month in 2023?

National Squirrel Awareness Month is observed on October 1 each year.

Observations