If you live in Europe or the Americas, you have probably encountered a tiny, fuzzy creature scurrying around looking for nuts. Some people find them adorable, and other people see them as pests that eat all the food left out for prettier birds. But how do you know if you're looking at a chipmunk or a squirrel? In chipmunk vs squirrel, how can you distinguish one from the other?Squirrels and chipmunks are related animals, but they are not … [Read more...]

Squirrels are fascinating creatures to watch. But have you ever been curious as to how they live? There are several squirrel species in the U.S. ranging from the common fox tail to the gray squirrels. The exact squirrel population in the country is unknown, but some estimates say that there could be as many one billion squirrels living in the United States alone. Yes, that’s a lot of squirrels. Where do they all stay? What do their nests … [Read more...]

Are you seeking a homemade squirrel repellent to fend off squirrels from your bird feeders, garden plants, or yard? There are several commercial repellents available, and you can even mix up a safe and effective repellent at home. But you may want to try some other effective options first. While this article offers a squirrel repellent “recipe,” your best bet for a positive outcome is to address the root of the conflict.  Read on for some helpful … [Read more...]

Sure, they drive you crazy when they empty your birdfeeder or pinch something from your veggie garden. But squirrels’ wild chases and antics do make them pretty amusing to watch. Because they’re incredibly adaptable, they’re able to cope with what we humans do with the green spaces around us. Depending upon where in North America you live, you may see any of several squirrel species: fox, eastern or western gray, pine (sometimes called red), or … [Read more...]

Ahhhh… the winter den… a softly lit, cozy room with a comfy reading chair, a warm blanket, and a cup of hot cocoa, coffee, or tea.  These winter creature comforts differ a bit if you’re a small wild animal, but warmth is equally valued, and a winter den provided by a tree or other natural feature can be increasingly hard to find due to habitat loss and urbanization. As temps begin dropping, there’s more wildlife looking for warmth than there are … [Read more...]

Feeding wild animals seems like a fun activity the whole family can enjoy. It’s a chance to get outside, appreciate nature, and give wildlife a helping hand. You may be wondering about when the best wildlife feeding times are. Or, maybe you’re trying to figure out, “What do raccoons eat?” But maybe you’ve also noticed some warning signs posted at your local parks, ponds, or other natural areas that say, “Don’t feed the animals.” What’s up with … [Read more...]

Pitter, patter…. scritchity scritchity… what’s going on up in your attic? It’s late summer, maybe even fall… it can’t be squirrels who’ve gotten in there to nest, because baby season is over, right? Or, is it? Probably not. For many squirrels, another round of babies may be born in August or September. The window of opportunity for this second breeding season varies widely with location, food availability, and individual cycles, among other … [Read more...]

When you see a baby squirrel come tumbling out of a tree you’re cutting down, what do you do? What if you discover a baby squirrel following you all around, with no sign of mom anywhere? Here are some pointers for what to do in those situations when you think a baby squirrel may be in trouble. It's not the time to hone your lumberjack skills... If you’re cutting down a tree in spring (which you should avoid whenever possible since baby wild … [Read more...]

There have been record breaking snowfalls all across the country this season and there may be more to come. It’s not only humans who need to dig out, some wild critters do too. The Humane Wildlife Services captured this great little video of a squirrel digging out, which helps us realize that we’re not the only ones affected by the weather. http://youtu.be/SF15v5Hzw6A?rel=0 … [Read more...]

Animal Tracks If you happen to be one of the lucky ones (of course that depends on who you ask!) to live in a snowy climate, you may not realize the riches that come along with a nice blanket of snow. They are tracks… animal tracks from your neighboring wildlife. Looking for and identifying tracks is a great winter activity for the whole family, especially on “snow days!” No snow? Animal tracks will also appear in wet sand and soil for those of … [Read more...]