Join in the fun as we honor Michigan’s beloved squirrels on this special day
East Lansing:
When was the last time you gave a squirrel a shout-out? Today’s the day! On National Squirrel Appreciation Day, the nine types of squirrels in Michigan are soaking up the love from their warm winter homes.
This fun holiday, celebrated on January 21, started back in 2001 thanks to wildlife rehabilitator Christy Hargrove from the Western North Carolina Nature Center.
People celebrate for all sorts of reasons—whether it’s for hunting, appreciating our forests, or just enjoying those hilarious squirrel videos online.
Squirrels are everywhere in Michigan, especially where there’s food and maybe a bit of fame, like on college campuses.
Take Michigan State University, for example. They even have an Instagram account called Quality Squirrels of MSU, showcasing adorable close-ups of squirrels having a blast on campus.
To make this squirrel celebration even better, here are some cool facts about our furry friends:
Did you know there are nine different types of squirrels in Michigan? They come in all shapes and sizes, and you can find them in various habitats.
For instance, the Red Squirrel is small and can thrive in many environments, from urban areas to forests. They’ve got that deep red fur that makes them stand out.
Then there’s the Northern Flying Squirrel, which hangs out in northern Michigan and the Upper Peninsula. They’re small, with grey and brown fur and a cute white belly.
And let’s not forget the Least Chipmunk, the tiniest chipmunk around, with its distinctive stripes. You can spot them in forests and open spaces.
Eastern Chipmunks are also common, found in wooded areas and river valleys, sporting grayish or reddish-brown fur with a unique yellow or red patch.
Groundhogs, which are stocky and have gray to brown fur, can be found in fields and forests.
So, where do these little guys go when winter hits? They’ve got some clever tricks up their sleeves. Squirrels gather twigs, grass, and leaves to build cozy nests, sometimes high in trees or even underground.
During the winter, they mostly hibernate in their nests to save energy.
To stay warm, they bulk up before the cold sets in and may even cuddle together for extra warmth.
As for their diet, squirrels are herbivores. They munch on seeds, roots, leaves, and nuts, whether they’re in the wild or your community garden.
And here are some fun facts about squirrels: their front teeth never stop growing, and they often forget where they buried their nuts, which helps new trees grow!
Plus, they run in a zig-zag pattern to dodge predators. How cool is that?
Contact Sarah Moore @ smoore@lsj.com
This article originally appeared on Lansing State Journal: It’s National Squirrel Appreciation Day! Cheers to all the Michigan squirrels
