The Secret Life of Eastern Gray Squirrels: 10 Fun Facts You Didn’t Know!

Welcome back to Naturally Courtney, where we explore the soothing beauty of nature and its fascinating inhabitants. Today we delve into the fun world of

eastern

gray

squirrels

and discover the

secret

life

of one of the most adorable and intelligent creatures you can find in your own backyard. So sit back, relax and let's discover 10 fun

facts

about these charming creatures. Fact Number One: Secret Stash Squirrels bury some of their food to eat later—up to 10,000 nuts each year—giving them the ultimate

secret

stash.  Gray

squirrels

have an extraordinary memory and can remember thousands of hiding places. It's like having a natural GPS for every acorn you've saved.

This brings me to fact two: Fact two: accidental gardeners. Did you

know

that squirrels are one of nature's most important gardeners? When they bury their stock of nuts, they are actually planting trees.   Of the thousands of nuts they bury each year, many go unclaimed. Whether squirrels actually forget about nuts or simply abandon them in favor of more accessible options, squirrels inadvertently plant thousands of trees and play a crucial role in forest regeneration. Fact three: The party people. Did you

know

that

gray

squirrels are famous for their party crashing antics? These fluffy-tailed creatures have a knack for showing up uninvited to backyard gatherings, especially if there's a bird feeder involved.  But here's the twist: Their acrobatic attempts to raid bird feeders have inspired an entire genre of "squirrel-proof" feeders, leading to an ongoing battle of wits between humans and squirrels.

If, like me, you are a backyard birder, let me know in the comments if this is a problem you face and what you do about it. Personally, I just appreciate squirrels. The lengths to which squirrels go to get a snack are impressive and fun, making them the ultimate party animals. Fourth fact: the social network. Squirrels have a complex social structure.  They use a variety of vocalizations and tail signals to communicate in their own version of a social network. A wag of the tail can mean anything from "Hey, there's food here!" to "Stand back,   this acorn is mine!" From warning others of danger to creating social bonds, these creatures have a rich language of their own, just listen to this squirrel: So next time you see a squirrel waving its tail, remember that it's not just a quirky dance move;

It's a post that's going viral in the squirrel community. Fact Five: The Greatest Show. Gray squirrels are natural acrobats. They can jump up to 10 times their body length with incredible ease and jump directly off the ground 4 feet or more. Their ankles are double-jointed and can rotate 180° to face any direction while climbing. This elegant footwork, along with their strong claws, makes them one of the few mammals that can descend a tree head-first. Cirque du Squirrel anyone? Fact six: the great pretenders. Gray squirrels are masters of deception. To deter potential thieves, such as crows and other birds, squirrels will pretend to bury a nut and also feel for non-existent holes, while actually hiding the food in their mouths.

Oscar-worthy performance, right? If you're enjoying these cute squirrel antics and want to experience more of the soothing beauty and delicious wonders of nature, subscribe to Naturally Courtney.   It really helps support my channel and ensures that you won't miss my next video. Fact Seven: Go Speed ​​Racer! Gray squirrels can run up to 20 mph and can take off at any time. That's faster than most humans can run, unless you're Usain Bolt, of course. But speed isn't the only thing they have going for them, take a look at those feet. Their claws are perfectly designed for gripping, allowing them to make sharp turns and sudden stops, even when running at full speed.

Maybe they're training for the Squirrel Olympics? Fact eight: fluffy fashion. Have you ever wondered why gray squirrels have such fluffy tails? Well, they're not just for looks: those queues are multitasking wonders! In winter, they serve as cozy blankets and keep squirrels warm during their naps. But that's not all: these queues are also communication tools, mood indicators and even parachutes. Yes, you heard right. When jumping from tree to tree, a squirrel's tail helps it balance and steer, and in the event of a fall, it acts as a parachute to slow its descent. So, the next time you see a squirrel's tail wagging or wagging, remember, it's not just a fashion statement;  It is the Swiss army knife of the animal kingdom.

Fact nine: And the teeth continue to grow. A squirrel's teeth never stop growing.   Gray squirrels' teeth grow about 6 inches each year. To keep them at a reasonable length, squirrels will bite almost anything they can reach. So if your garden table is missing a leg, you know who to blame. Fact 10: A Nut-Based Diet While squirrels love nuts and seeds, they are not picky eaters. Gray squirrels eat mushrooms, berries, buds, tree bark, and much more. And since they generally have no qualms about living near humans and consuming leftovers, squirrels have even been known to indulge in some unhealthy options, like chocolate bars and the occasional slice of pizza.

Talk about a diverse palate! Thanks for joining me. Don't forget to like, share, and subscribe to Naturally Courtney for more relaxing nature videos. Until next time, take care.