Squirrel

A squirrel is a small rodent with a large bushy tail, found in most countries of the world. Is is a member of the order Rodentia, family Sciuridae.

A number of different kinds of squirrels exist, including the flying squirrel, fox squirrel, and gray squirrel.

One well-known trait of the squirrel is the gathering and storing of

nuts for the winter. Squirrels will gather nuts and store them in

any accessible hiding place or will bury them almost anywhere.

Squirrels are generally clever and persistent animals; in residential neighborhoods they are notorious for eating out of bird feeders, digging in potted plants either to bury or recover food, and for setting up house in sheltered areas including attics. Squirrels are sometimes also pests for chewing on various edible and inedible objects; the habit helps keep the squirrel's teeth sharp and also wears the teeth down (rodents' teeth grow constantly). Many companies sell bird feeders which are supposedly "squirrel-proof"; most of them in fact are not. Houses in areas with a heavy squirrel population must keep attics and basements carefully sealed to prevent property damage caused by nesting squirrels; fake owls and scarecrows are generally ignored by the animals, and the best way to prevent chewing on an object is to coat it with something to make it undesirable: for instance a soft cloth or hot sauce..

http://www.wikipedia.com/images/uploads/squirrel.jpg

Public domain picture from U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service