Celebrate Squirrel Appreciation Day with Squirrel Parody Songs
- Dylanna Fisher
- Jan 21, 2024
- 9 min read
At Switching Styles, we are committed to providing our readers with unique and extraordinary musical content, so we bring you the subject of squirrel parody songs, even if it may seem unexpected.
Did you know that Canada is home to 22 different types of squirrels? These adorable creatures have distinct physical features that make them easily recognizable. Squirrels are classified into six ground-dwelling, four tree-living, and two flying varieties.
January 21st Is Squirrel Appreciation Day.
Squirrel Appreciation Day is a special day dedicated to celebrating and promoting awareness about squirrels. Though the exact origin of this day is unclear, it is usually observed on January 21st every year. This day provides an excellent opportunity for people to learn more about these tiny and agile rodents and acknowledge their essential role in ecosystems.
Squirrel Appreciation Day was first established by American wildlife rehabilitator Christy Hargrove in 2001 as an initiative to recognize and celebrate the significance of squirrels in ecosystems while raising awareness about their unique characteristics. Since then, the day has gained popularity, and various organizations, wildlife centers, and nature enthusiasts use it to organize events, educational programs, and activities to highlight the importance of squirrels in the ecosystem and foster a greater appreciation for these charismatic rodents.
The More You Know About Squirrels
Squirrels are well-known for their dynamic and agile behaviour, and they can be found in different habitats across the globe. They perform a vital function in the ecosystem by dispersing seeds, which helps in the regeneration of forests and the growth of plants. Additionally, squirrels serve as a food source for various predators, thereby contributing to the balance of the food chain.
They’re also so darn adorable.
Check Out These Squirrels Fun Facts for Squirrel Appreciation Day
Squirrels are found everywhere in the world.
Squirrels are a widely distributed group of animals. They can be found on every continent except Australia, Madagascar, southern South America, Greenland, many oceanic islands, and certain desert regions such as the Sahara. They belong to the same family as prairie dogs, chipmunks, and marmots. There are more than 200 species of squirrels, including the tiniest African pygmy squirrel, which is just five inches long and the Indian giant squirrel, which is a whopping three feet long.
In North America, both western and eastern grey squirrels are common, while in Europe, the red squirrel is more prevalent. However, its numbers in Great Britain and Ireland are declining due to the introduction of the eastern grey squirrel from North America.
Squirrel Habitats are diverse depending on the geography of their habitat.
Sciurids inhabit a wide range of habitats, from trees to underground caves. These habitats include rainforests, arid grasslands, arctic tundras, forests, suburban areas, and cities. Some sciurids, like the Himalayan marmots (Marmota Himalaya), can be found at high elevations, up to 5000 meters.
Squirrels are primarily herbivores, but not completely.
Squirrels are primarily herbivores, feeding on seeds, nuts, berries, acorns, fungus, sap, and tree bark. While ground squirrels may eat farm crops, tree and flying squirrels diversify their diet by consuming insects, moths, small amphibians, bird eggs, and young hatchlings. (Live Science)
There are over 20 diverse species of squirrels in Canada.
Canada is home to a diverse range of squirrel species, with over 20 different types of trees, flying, and ground squirrels. Several tree squirrels in Canada, including the eastern grey squirrels, Douglas squirrels, and fox squirrels. Grey squirrels in the east part of the country have shades of grey or black fur with white tips. On the other hand, Fox squirrels are the most common squirrel species found throughout Canada and are identified by their reddish-brown colouring. Douglas squirrels inhabit the western provinces and have black stripes running along their bodies.
These agile and resourceful rodents have adapted to thrive in various habitats, from the expanses of grassy fields to the lush greenery of open pastures and parks. Whether scurrying amid the branches of towering trees or scampering along the ground in search of food, these fascinating creatures are a testament to nature’s remarkable adaptability and resilience. (Bird Watching HQ; The Wildlife Community)
Squirrels are nature’s acrobatics with remarkable feats of height and skill.
These fascinating creatures have truly remarkable bodies. Take squirrels, for example – they have padded feet that act like shock absorbers, allowing them to jump incredible distances of up to 20 feet (6 meters). Grey squirrels are even more impressive, as they can leap over 20 feet without sweat. Even if a squirrel falls from a height of about 30 feet, its unique body structure lets it land safely.
What’s more, squirrels have eyes placed high on their heads and either side, giving them a fantastic panoramic view of their surroundings without turning their head. And when it comes to running, squirrels are no slouches – they can reach speeds up to 20 mph (32 kph).
These little rodents are a marvel of nature, with adaptations allowing them to thrive in their environment.
Tree squirrels can cause a great deal of property and agricultural damage.
Although charming, tree squirrels can cause considerable damage when they enter homes. They usually make nests in attics and chimneys and may gnaw on insulation, electrical wiring, and structural supports. They are also known to cause damage to lawns, gardens, and flowerbeds. While some tree squirrels can carry parasites, spreading diseases is rare.
Although squirrels can swim, they are not considered to be strong swimmers.
If you thought squirrels were skilled climbers and agile jumpers, think again! It may surprise many, but several species of squirrels are known for their impressive swimming abilities. The likes of red, grey, and fox squirrels, among others, use their bushy tails as rudders, while their elegant limbs work as paddles to propel them through the water with ease. However, not all squirrels are built for aquatic life, and flying squirrels, with their webbed limbs that help them soar through the skies, are not among the best swimmers in the animal kingdom.
Tree squirrels don’t hibernate like other mammals.
During the winter season, tree squirrels do not hibernate. Instead, they seek shelter in nests or dens within trees and collect food to maintain their body temperature. These nests are called “dreys” and are constructed using compressed materials such as leaves, twigs, bark, and moss. However, during winter, these nests become visible from the ground due to the absence of leaves, making them susceptible to predators. Although adult tree squirrels typically prefer living alone, they sometimes nest in groups.
Squirrels have a diverse range of communication methods.
They use various calls, such as territorial barks and even ‘quacking’ noises. However, their primary means of communication is through their tails, which they use as signalling devices. They twitch their tails when they feel uneasy or suspicious. Like dogs, squirrels mark their territory with urine. Additionally, they can identify each other through their food and smell. Squirrels have diverse communication methods, including calls such as territorial barks and even ‘quacking’ noises. However, their primary means of communication is through their tails, which they use as signalling devices. They twitch their tails when they feel uneasy or suspicious. Like dogs, squirrels mark their territory with urine. Additionally, they can communicate using different scents and body postures.
Squirrels recognize human beings and can tell them off.
Squirrels, like many animals, can recognize human beings. Occasionally, they may express their displeasure or dissatisfaction towards humans through their unique communication, including making a rolling chirping noise while rapidly flicking their tails over their heads. This behaviour is a warning to back off, as it may be in response to other squirrels, predators, or potential dangers such as dogs.
“Another squirrel isn’t around, and you’re not walking your dog; they may be making that sound at you. They are scolding you because you are near a tree they’ve utilized or are near some food resource, or you’re also perceived as a predator,” McCleery said.
Squirrels have a diverse and beneficial impact on the environment.
Squirrels contribute positively to the environment in numerous ways. They entertain people with their playful behaviour, help aerate the soil by digging for food, disperse seeds for plant regeneration, and control insect populations by consuming tree-infesting beetles and grubs. Squirrels also serve as an essential food source for birds of prey.
Squirrels play a significant role in forest growth by acting as great tree planters.
Squirrels, famous for stashing nuts, inadvertently contribute to tree planting. They use a combination of visual cues, memory, and smell to locate nuts. However, not all nuts are retrieved, allowing some to grow into new trees. Squirrels play a vital role in dispersing seeds and aiding in the regeneration of tree species.
“Their biggest contribution to the forest is in shaping plant composition. They have a peculiar habit of taking seeds, which are their main source of nutrients and burying them. They bury them throughout the environment; when they return and look for them, they often forget where they are. When that happens, they are effectively planting seeds,” said Robert McCleery, an associate professor in the wildlife ecology and conservation department at the U.F. Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences.
Squirrels and Pest Control don’t see eye to eye all the time.
While squirrels are beneficial, they can become pests when entering homes or gardens. Ground squirrels pose challenges in agriculture, causing significant crop damage. Tree and flying squirrels may enter homes, damaging electrical wiring and insulation. Despite their cute appearance, they can be destructive, and professional pest control services may be necessary for their humane removal.
(Orkin)
Squirrels have graduated to drug sinners in Chinese Law Enforcement.
In an unusual twist, red squirrels in China have been trained to sniff out drugs. Six Eurasian red squirrels have been successfully trained to detect drugs in large complex sites, such as logistics warehouses, showcasing the versatility of these rodents.
Squirrels cool down with a position called ‘Splooting’.
When faced with hot weather, squirrels exhibit ‘splooting.’ They stretch out their bodies, lying on their stomachs with legs spread to cool off. This adaptation helps them manage their body temperature during heatwaves, showcasing their ability to cope with changing environmental conditions.
Squirrel Songs to Celebrate Squirrel Appreciation Day
“The Mississippi Squirrel” By Ray Stevens
S.I.M.P. (Squirrels In My Pants)” From Disney’sPhineas And Ferb
“Squirrel Song” By Juliana Chahayed
“Flying Squirrels” By Mrweebl
“A Squirrel’s Day” By Sesame Studios
“Squirrels” Parody Of Girls By Beyonce By Alyssa Payne, Christina Jones, Charlotte Stowe, And Claudia Varnedoe
“Squirrel!” – A Song by Dug Pixar
Conclusion To Squirrel Appreciation Day
Squirrel Appreciation Day is a reminder to appreciate these fascinating creatures and acknowledge their significance in the natural world. Whether through their ecological roles, entertaining behaviours, or unexpected talents, squirrels have earned their place in our hearts and deserve a day of celebration.
Resources To Learn More About Squirrels
The Secret Lives of Squirrels Explore the fascinating world of squirrels with insights from Childhood by Nature. Delve into the secret lives of these creatures, gaining a deeper understanding of their behaviour, habitats, and unique characteristics.
Squirrels: Diet, Habits & Other Facts Alina Bradford’s comprehensive article on Live Science provides valuable insights into the diet, habits, and various other aspects of squirrels. Learn about their behaviours, preferred foods, and how they adapt to different environments.
Cranial Dimorphism in Eurasian Red Squirrels, Sciurus Vulgaris from Slovakia For those interested in the scientific aspects of squirrels, Čanády et al.’s research article on cranial dimorphism in Eurasian Red Squirrels supplies a detailed examination.
Squirrel Appreciation Day! Owen James’ blog post on The Wildlife Community celebrates Squirrel Appreciation Day, offering a lighthearted take on why these animals deserve our admiration.
Can Squirrels Swim? The blog post by Okanagan Wildlife Control addresses a common question about squirrels and their swimming abilities.
7 Fascinating Facts about Squirrels Alexandra Pope’s article on Canadian Geographic presents seven captivating facts about squirrels.
Squirrel Distribution & Habitat Wildlife Online’s article on squirrel distribution and habitat offers valuable insights into where these animals can be found and the ecosystems they inhabit.
7 Types of Squirrels That Live in Canada! Bird Watching H.Q.’s exploration of the diverse types of squirrels in Canada provides a regional perspective on these animals.
Why Should You Love Squirrels? Here Are Six Reasons: The University of Florida’s article outlines six compelling reasons to love squirrels, emphasizing their role as nature’s gardeners and the ecological benefits they bring.
All about Squirrel Nests Woodstream’s article on Perkypet.com supplies a detailed look into squirrels’ nests.
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