by JAMES ORR, State Licensed Wildlife Rehabilitator Monday, December 1, 2008 10:57 AM CST
It can be hard for a 150-pound person to survive a collision with a 3,500-pound automobile.
It's down right miraculous for a 2-pound squirrel to do so.
We have an adult male fox squirrel that survived an auto encounter, but suffered a broken leg in the process. He will spend the next few weeks in a small enclosure to limit movement so as to allow his broken bone to knit back together.
Although he was in shock when he arrived he was healthy enough to chomp down on the heavily padded gloves I use to handle unpredictable animals.
Squirrels have incredibly powerful teeth that grow as much as two inches per year. They have to constantly gnaw on hard surfaces to keep them the proper length and sharp. In the wild chomping on discarded deer antlers is one of their preferred means of incisor shaping. On a few occasions we have had to trim squirrel teeth when they grew so long the poor animals could not eat.
Squirrels are surprisingly smart animals and enjoy playing games. They seem to be very good at solving puzzles particularly those involving "squirrel proof" bird feeders. If you could teach them to play basketball they would probably be pretty good as they can jump 15 feet horizontally and twice that from high perches.
Their large bushy tail is sort of like Batman's utility belt with multiple functions. It acts as a type of parachute with its massive surface area slowing down a free falling squirrel. They wrap their tail around their body to keep warm in cold weather and use it to signal other squirrels with a series of flicks and swishes.
Tails also serve as a protective device making squirrels look larger than they really are and confusing attacking prey animals as to were to grab the squirrel. Unlike Batman, fox squirrels are diurnal coming out only in the daytime
They have an incredible sense of smell allowing them to locate buried nuts underground. They can even tell if a nut has spoiled without having to dig it up. That would be a handy skill when cleaning the refrigerator and trying to determine the status of those unmarked Tupperware containers without having to open them.
Fox squirrels are non-territorial and their homes are called "dreys". In the summer they build high platforms in the treetops with branches and leaves.
They are more likely to use dens in hollow trees in the winter months. These dreys are often shared with other squirrels and the one den may be used for decades by many generations.
Fox squirrels are strong for their size. Many have been seen carrying an entire ear of corn or sunflower head up to their feeding platform.
They are also quite articulate with a diverse range of sounds they use to communicate. From my observation I think they swear quite a bit. They get very vocal when people or animals intrude into their space. Besides chatters, clicks and squeals they also bark when excited.
This not only warns other squirrels of potential danger but many of the animals in the forest heed squirrel warnings.
If you want to talk to a squirrel try to mimic their sounds. Many are quite curious and will respond back to you. Be forewarned if you try to copy their bark they are likely cuss to at you.
How You Can Help Us Help Wildlife
Although licensed by the State The Witter Wildlife Refuge receives no salaries or funding from the State. It is funded entirely by donations and operated by unpaid volunteers. Checks should be made out to Witter Wildlife Refuge at P.O. Box 1118, Huntsville AR 72740. Visit our website at: witterwildliferefuge.com
For Wildlife Emergencies
Witter Wildlife Refuge, (479) 677-303; Fayetteville, Patty Baker (479) 283-4253; Fort Smith Area, Tracey Harper (479) 462-6466; Eureka Springs-Berryville, Andrea White (870) 350-4189; Van Buren, Shallin and Brent Shahan (479) 651-6012.
The Arkansas Game and Fish Commission lists licensed wildlife rehabilitators at their web site under "Wildlife" at agfc.com.
James and his wife Cyndi rescue injured and orphaned wildlife and operate an 80-acre wildlife refuge where they rehabilitate rescued wild animals until they are ready to be released back to the wild. Animals too handicapped to be released are provided a permanent home at the refuge.
