Today is National Squirrel Appreciation Day!

Every year on January 21, nature lovers across the United States celebrate National Squirrel Appreciation Day. Organized in 2001 by wildlife rehabilitator Christy Hargrove, this day serves as a gentle reminder of how vital squirrels are to our ecosystems and how we can coexist with them peacefully. Whether you’re a fan of observing their acrobatics or simply want to support your local wildlife, there’s so much to discover about these furry critters.

This post dives into why squirrels matter, the fascinating facts about them, and how to make the most of National Squirrel Appreciation Day—all while emphasizing safe and humane ways to deal with nuisance squirrels.

Call 615-337-9165 for Professional Wildlife Control Services in Nashville Tennessee — National Squirrel Appreciation Day 2025

The Importance of Squirrels Among Earth’s Ecosystems

Though they might seem like everyday backyard visitors, squirrels play an essential role in maintaining healthy ecosystems. One of their most notable contributions is their role as accidental tree planters. When squirrels bury nuts and seeds to save for later, they often forget about some of their stashes. These forgotten seeds germinate into trees, helping forests regenerate naturally.

Other ecological contributions include:

Dispersing seeds and spreading biodiversity.
Acting as prey for predators like owls, hawks, and foxes, helping maintain balance in the food chain.
Aerating soil as they dig holes for burying and retrieving nuts.

Without squirrels, the balance in many ecosystems would suffer.

Squirrel Species Found in Tennessee

If you’re in Tennessee, you’re lucky enough to encounter a variety of squirrel species. Each comes with its own unique features and quirks. Here are four species you’re likely to find in the Volunteer State:

1. Eastern Gray Squirrels

The most commonly spotted species in Tennessee, Eastern Gray Squirrels, are known for their agility and playful nature. They’re excellent climbers and are a delight to watch during their daily scurrying.

2. Fox Squirrels

Larger than Eastern Grays, Fox Squirrels are often reddish-brown and favor open woodlands over urban parks.

3. Southern Flying Squirrels

Not often seen due to their nocturnal habits, these tiny, wide-eyed squirrels glide from tree to tree using a membrane between their limbs.

4. Red Squirrels

Known for their territorial behavior, these squirrels have a striking reddish coat and are slightly smaller than their gray and fox counterparts.

Now that you know who’s hiding in your trees, it’s time to look at some fascinating tidbits about them.

Interesting Facts About Squirrels

Squirrels have exceptional memory, which helps them retrieve buried food.
Their teeth never stop growing, so they chew on hard objects like tree bark to keep their incisors in shape.
Flying squirrels don’t actually fly—they glide using a cartilage-supported membrane called a patagium.
A group of squirrels is called a scurry.
Squirrels can leap up to 10 times their body length in a single bound!

Fascinated yet? There’s even more to appreciate, especially on National Squirrel Appreciation Day.

How to Celebrate National Squirrel Appreciation Day

Looking to make January 21 special? Here are some fun and thoughtful ways to celebrate the day and support your local squirrel population.

Set Up Squirrel Feeders: Fill feeders with healthy squirrel snacks like unsalted nuts, chopped apples, and sunflower seeds.
Start a Squirrel Watching Guide: Grab a notebook and document the behaviors, species, and feeding habits of the squirrels in your area.
Plant Trees: Help squirrels—and the planet—by planting native trees that provide shelter and food.
Visit a Nature Reserve: Spend the day observing squirrels in their natural habitats.

Squirrel Watching and Feeding: A Beginner’s Guide

Squirrel feeding and watching can bring you closer to these tiny creatures, but here are some tips to ensure it’s beneficial for you and them.

Feeding Tips

Choose Nutritious Foods: Stick to squirrel-healthy options like acorns, pecans, or pumpkin seeds. Avoid processed foods like bread or salted nuts.
Don’t Overfeed: Balance is key to avoid disrupting their natural foraging habits.

Watching Tips

Find a cozy spot in your backyard or a nearby park with plenty of squirrel activity. With a little patience, you can observe fascinating behaviors like burying nuts or chasing each other.

Safe and Humane Squirrel Control Efforts

Love them or not, squirrels sometimes become uninvited guests in attics or gardens. If you’re dealing with nuisance squirrels, it’s essential to handle the situation humanely.

Seal Entry Points: Inspect your home to ensure there are no gaps or holes where squirrels can sneak in.
Use Squirrel Repellents: Natural deterrents like cayenne pepper can keep them out of gardens without harm.
Install Squirrel-Proof Bird Feeders: Invest in bird feeders that prevent squirrels from snatching birdseed.
Trust the Pros: Call a licensed and insured wildlife control professional for persistent issues to handle the situation ethically.

Remember, there are ways to coexist with these critters without causing harm.

Final Thoughts

National Squirrel Appreciation Day isn’t just about celebrating these nutty animals; it’s about fostering appreciation for nature and supporting the ecosystems we share with wildlife. By taking steps like setting up squirrel feeders, engaging in humane squirrel control, or even planting a tree, you’re contributing to a healthier and more harmonious planet.

Want to do more? Consider joining a local wildlife association or supporting conservation efforts in your community. Even small actions make a big difference.

Are you dealing with some nuisance squirrels around your Tennessee property? Contact Budget Animal Removal at 615-337-9165 for TWRA licensed and insured Nashville, Tennessee animal removal for squirrels, chipmunks, and more. We serve commercial clients too.

Tree squirrels are a normal part of nature in most areas of the country. These furry little critters are most known for their long, bushy tails, sensational appetite for nuts, and their amazing tree climbing abilities. Here in Indiana, our state happens to be home to four squirrel species, all of which have their own unique and interesting attributes. But be careful! Squirrels can also be a nuisance if your property is not well-protected against wildlife tampering.

Continue reading to learn more about our Indiana squirrels, including what you can do to ensure your home or building is not a target for nuisance animal damage.

Indianapolis Squirrel Removal and Control 317-875-3099

Types of Squirrels in Indiana

The four species of squirrel that are native to Indiana and the surrounding regions include the Gray squirrel, Southern Flying squirrel, Fox squirrel, and the Red squirrel. The most common types of squirrels, and the ones you likely spot on occasion in your own yard, are Fox squirrels. These critters are quite loud, and love to hide, bury, dig up, and eat their nuts. Gray squirrels are also quite common, but mostly found in the Central and Southern parts of the state. Red squirrels are also referred to as “Pineys” and tend to remain mostly in the Central and Northern parts of Indiana. As for the Southern Flying squirrel, they are the smallest of the four, and nocturnal at that, making them extra special.

All four squirrel species share the same diet, including nuts like acorns, walnuts, pecans, and bird seed. Yes, they love bird seed! See our blog, “How to Prevent Nuisance Squirrels From Stealing Bird Feed” to learn how to stop this problem on your property. They also eat berries, insects, and sometimes tree bark. When it comes to their homes, all squirrel species in Indiana love to choose tree cavities and old woodpecker holes, or build nests among high, mature tree branches. They also find shelter in residential attics, which is a big problem for homeowners. Squirrel infestations are messy and destructive, and can cost thousands of dollars to renovate.

Protecting Against Nuisance Squirrels

In order to protect your home and property from nuisance squirrel damage and infestation, you must take certain precautions. Through environmental modification, you can thwart squirrel activity and divert their attention away from your property. One way to do this is to remove all things that attract squirrels, such as bird feeders, pet food, nut and fruit trees, and anything else they like. Of course, this is not always entirely possible, as most property owners do not want to remove trees simply to stop squirrel activity. But you can trim trees on a routine basis to prevent squirrels from gaining access to your roofing and siding.

The only way you can have a squirrel infestation removed from your property, whether in the attic or an outdoor shed, is to hire a licensed wildlife removal and control company. They are the only ones who have the proper permits, licenses, and resources, and offer residential wild animal extraction and exclusion services. Most companies offer 24 hour emergency assistance in the case that you find a squirrel in the house.

Affordable Squirrel Removal and Control in Indianapolis, Indiana

Call Budget Animal Removal at 317-875-3099 for fast and affordable squirrel removal and control in Indianapolis, Indiana and its surrounding areas. Our DNR licensed and insured wildlife rescue and control specialists offer nuisance wildlife abatement services, clean-up and minor restorations for animal damages, 24 hour emergency service, free estimates, and much more! Get started by requesting a free estimate or advice, today.

Budget Animal Removal

Tag Archives: squirrel facts

National Squirrel Appreciation Day: What You Should Know About These Critters