Who appreciates those furry critters?
My neighbor has a feeding station to attract squirrels to his yard.
Let me repeat that: He intentionally tries to <em>attract</em> squirrels to his yard.
He says they are cute, industrious little animals, and he enjoys watching them. I would note that cockroaches, mice and termites also are industrious creatures, although not especially cute.
His squirrel feeding station, which is attached to a tree trunk, is circular with spokes that hold dried corn cobs. I asked him if you could get one with hooks on it so I could catch the squirrels. I could then repatriate them to his yard.
He didn’t seem to appreciate that idea.
But while my neighbor’s attraction to squirrels might strike some as daft, he apparently is not the only squirrel lover in the world. Did you know, for example, that October is official National Squirrel Appreciation Month each year?
And I suspect most of us went blithely along with our workaday lives Wednesday unaware that it was National Squirrel Appreciation Day.
I was among those who missed the celebration. And, in fact, I’m not sure America needs a National Squirrel Appreciation Month or even a National Squirrel Appreciation Day.
I, for one, would be more apt to celebrate a National Squirrel Eradication Day.
Actually, that might be a little harsh. Most of the time, squirrels and I coexist without much malice toward each other.
But I don’t regard them as cute, except, perhaps, for baby squirrels, and all baby animals are cute, even baby possums.
But there is something in the eyes of adult squirrels that makes my blood run cold. Some would call it a mischievous look; I would call it soulless evil.
So, what do we appreciate about squirrels? Well, if not for squirrels, what other critter would:
• Chew holes in the side of my house to get into my attic?
• Make nests from clothes stored in the attic and spread insulation hither and yon?
• Gnaw on my electrical wires?
• Dance gaily along the ceiling joists overhead, taunting us as we try to sleep at night?
• Eat all the food in the bird feeder? Which, by the way, we intended to feed to the birds!
• Eat all the pecans, figs and berries before we can harvest them?
• Dig up and eat bulbs and the roots of potted plants?
I’m sure that’s a short list to which others could add even more examples of adorable squirrel behavior. And if, by chance, you want to know more about squirrels, check out the many online sites such as The News For Squirrels and the Squirrel Lover’s Club (are they kidding?).
I learned on one site, for example, that squirrels’ fuzzy tails are used primarily for balance but also can be used to slow a fall or as a cushion when they land. I still think, however, they have fuzzy tails because that is the only way they can be distinguished from rats.
But, as noted, I have an ongoing truce with the squirrels in my yard. Stay out of my house and I won’t try to run you over when you jump out in front of my car.
OK, and I won’t set up a feeding station with hooks on it either.
This story was originally published January 22, 2015 at 12:00 AM with the headline "Who appreciates those furry critters?."