Squirrel 30cm - Soft Toy

Physical Characteristics
Like other rodents, squirrels have four front teeth that never stop growing so they don't wear down from the constant gnawing. The sweat glands of a tree squirrel are located on their feet, between the foot pads and on their paws between the toes. When hot or excited a squirrel will leave wet tracks on a dry surface. This scent is also used to mark the trees in their territory. Size and weight varies greatly between squirrel species: Size: 13 to 91 cm. Weight: 0.5 oz to 4 lbs.

Habitat
More than 200 squirrel species live all over the world, with the notable exception of Australia.

Behaviour
When a squirrel senses danger, its first instinct is to stand motionless. If on the ground it will race to the closest tree, or other climbable object to escape. If it is in a tree, it will circle the trunk with its body pressed tightly to the bark. Tree squirrels are the types most commonly recognized, often seen gracefully scampering and leaping from branch to branch. Other species are ground squirrels that live in burrow or tunnel systems, where some hibernate during the winter season. Squirrels communicate through a series of chirps and hissing noises used in conjunction with tail gestures.

Breeding
Squirrels are usually born in the early spring after a 60 day gestation period in the case of the grey squirrel. Whether they dwell high in a tree or in an underground burrow, female squirrels typically give birth to two to eight offspring. Babies are blind for 6-8 weeks, only 1 inch long at birth and totally dependent on their mothers for two or three months.

Diet
Tree squirrels do come to the ground in search of food such as nuts, acorns, berries, and flowers. They also eat bark, eggs, or baby birds. Tree sap is a delicacy to some species of squirrel too.

Strange and Interesting Facts
The group name for squirrels is Scurry or Dray. A squirrel's brain is about the size of a walnut. Before burying their nuts Squirrels mark or scent them by rubbing them on their face, making them easy to find again.