The squirrel family, from chipmunks to prairie dogs, is one of the most widespread on earth. There are almost 300 different species." (NATURE, PBS)
While living in Ohio and before learning the importance of keeping our cat indoors (for cat and bird population health), kittycat Nesta brought inside and plopped a chipmunk at my feet! Uninjured but now inside, I wondered how to catch and put the chipmunk back outside. So, I put Nesta in a room, propped open the front door and placed a line of sunflower seeds from where I last saw the chipmunk to the porch deck. Chipmunk enjoyed the seeds and found freedom!
The squirrel I photographed here in Wildewood is an Eastern Gray eating Slash Pine cone seeds. (Florida Wildlife professionals remind us to not feed wildlife and our HOA includes this guidance in its Rules and Regulations book. There is plenty of food for them in Wildewood's incredible habitat.)
Squirrels are called tree planters because they bury seeds and those forgotten become tree seedlings. This University of Florida article offers reasons to like squirrels if you lean towards viewing them as nuisance.
