What Kind Of Squirrels Are In Illinois
The Squirrel Showdown: Who Runs Illinois?
Ever been in Illinois and felt like you're being watched? Chances are, it's not a ghost (though with all those cornfields, who knows?). No, it's probably a squirrel. But not just any squirrel, Illinois boasts a whole bushy-tailed gang! Let's meet the contenders in the Great Illinois Squirrel Games.
The Main Event: Eastern Gray vs Fox Squirrel
These two are the Michael Jordan and LeBron James of Illinois squirrels. You'll see them pretty much statewide.
The Eastern Gray: Think classic, sleek, gymnast of the squirrel world. They're smaller, with a coat of, well, eastern gray (shocker) and a distinctive white belly. They love chilling in parks and backyards, making daring leaps from branch to branch.
The Fox Squirrel: This fella is the heavyweight champ. Bigger and rustier than the gray, with a reddish tinge to his fur (but don't be fooled, they're not actual foxes). He's more down-to-earth, spending a lot of time foraging on the ground. Maybe a bit less graceful, but definitely more chill.
Fun Fact: Chicago has a hilarious squirrel segregation situation. Grays tend to live in fancy neighborhoods, while the foxy fellas prefer the more, ahem, affordable areas. Fancy that!
The Indie Darling: The Red Squirrel
Hold up, there's more! In the northern part of Illinois, you might spot the red squirrel. This fiery little dude is smaller than the others, with a bright red coat and a grumpy expression (just their resting squirrel face, we're sure). They're more reclusive than the others, preferring coniferous forests to show off their impressive acrobatic skills.
The Mysterious Night Shift: The Southern Flying Squirrel
Okay, this one's a bit of a wildcard. Unlike his name suggests, he doesn't actually fly, but he can glide! This nocturnal critter is most common in southern Illinois, and you're more likely to hear his squeaks than see him.
So, who wins the Illinois Squirrel Games?
There's no real winner! Each squirrel brings its own unique charm (and maybe some chewed-up bird feeders) to the Illinois landscape.
How to Spot Your Illinois Squirrel:
Not sure which fluffy friend you're looking at? Here's a quick guide:
- Gray fur and white belly? Eastern Gray Squirrel.
- Big, rusty, reddish fur? Fox Squirrel.
- Small, fiery red fur? Red Squirrel (but only in northern Illinois).
- Hear squeaks at night? Probably a Southern Flying Squirrel (but you won't see him much).
Bonus Squirrel Fun!
How to:
- Live peacefully with Illinois squirrels? Squirrel-proof your bird feeders (good luck!).
- Attract squirrels to your yard? Plant nut-bearing trees - they'll thank you (later, after they've buried all the nuts).
- Tell the difference between a baby squirrel and a small adult? Look for the distinctive gap between their teeth - baby squirrels haven't grown into their full chompers yet!
- Convince a squirrel you're its friend? We wouldn't recommend it. They're cute, but wild animals.
- Avoid getting chased by a squirrel? Don't corner them, and maybe avoid wearing a nut-colored hat.
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