Hello ladies and gents this is the Viking telling you that today we are talking about
5 Nutty facts about squirrels
They may be one of the most common garden critters in the UK, but squirrels are remarkable rodents. Here are five things you need to know about these bushy-tailed acrobrats.
1. The biggest species of squirrel is the Indian giant squirrel (below), which can grow up to an impressive 36 inches (1m) long. The smallest is the tiny African pygmy squirrel which is a minute 2.8-5 inches (7-13cm).
2. Squirrels have four front teeth which never stop growing throughout their lives. This ensures that their teeth don’t wear down from constant gnawing on nuts and other objects.
3. Squirrels can be categorised into three types: ground squirrels, tree squirrels and flying squirrels. Flying squirrels are able to glide through the air due to the flaps of skin which connect their limbs, providing a wing-like surface.
4. Squirrels can recognise ripe nuts using their sense of smell. They are also able to tell if an acorn or hazelnut has been hollowed out by weevils by recognising that the nut is too light. In order to find previously buried nuts, they use a combination of memory, smell and observation of disturbed soil.
5. Squirrel nests are called ‘dreys’. They are compact, spherical structures which are slightly lighter than footballs. Constructed out of twigs, leaves, bark and grass, they are typically assembled in the forks of tall trees.
And as always have a chilled day from the Viking
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