Squirrels

[MossCommuter]

OK, I was always told squirrels gathered their nuts and then went to sleep for the winter.

Well, if that's true why are am I knee deep in them? On the way to work I see dozens! Haven't run one over yet (they're too quick).

Has it got so cold they've had to get up again for a bit of a feed or was the autumn so abundant that they never needed to go to sleep? Or maybe they don't go to sleep at all and I have been lied to!

 

[Arch]

I'm not sure that greys ever hibernate. Maybe the reds do, but I think they are one of those species that can sleep for a while, but wake up to forage if there's a warm spell.

With a huge abundance of food, especially in urban areas, greys don't need to hibernate I think.

A quick look online suggests that no, squirrels don't hibernate but they do cache food for the leaner months. Apparently that applies to reds and greys.

 

[Arch]

Update - more 'research' online suggests that yes, reds can become torpid for short periods, but not a whole winter hibernation.

 

[longers]

I don't think they'd get bulky enough to hibernate for long?

 

[badkitty]

...can become torpid for short periods,..

Know how that feels....

 

[longers]

And knee deep is a lot!

I'd like to put up bird feeders at work but they'd mainly be squirrel feeders and the bloke who has to get up and reset the alarm wouldn't appreciate it.
I love their agility and think they can be beautiful to watch even if they're greys.

 

[MossCommuter]

they can be beautiful to watch even if they're greys.

They're rats with good PR

 

[summerdays]

They're rats with good PR

+1 (well the grey ones)

Though if they promise to make my house and garden a no go zone then I'm prepared to forgive them.

 

[longers]

I've only ever heard bad PR for greys. They're still good movers though.

 

[Night Train]

Do they make good eating?

Just thinking that if they fatten themselves up for winter then they could be perfect hot meal for those who don't have a goose.

 

[byegad]

They don't hibernate. IIRC only the edible dormouse and some bats hibernate. Hedgehogs, squirrels and some other mammals doze through the worst of winter and eat when they can. Squirrels must be feeling the pinch and getting out and about to find food.

 

[Arch]

Do they make good eating?

Apparently so. I've heard of a butcher (up in Northumberland I think) who sells them. Not much different to small rabbit really, and as they are also vermin (well, greys), it's a good use of resources.

Oh, and you know how you see humane squirrel traps in catalogues? The ones that catch the thing alive? Problem is, once you've caught it, it's illegal to release it again, and you're supposed to kill it....

Last fact before I log off. The 'glass' slipper of the Cinderella story is probably a misunderstanding of French. Verre is glass, but Vair is squirrel fur, a much more suitable slipper material.

 

[longers]

Wasn't Elvis fond of fried squirrel butties?

 

[Maverick Goose]

HFW included a recipe for roasted squirrel in the River Cottage Cookbook

 

[Kestevan]

Squirrel is nice. Theres not much meat on them to be honest, but tasty nontheless.

A .22 to the head. Skin them and cook like rabbit. Lovely.