Comments on: Summer of Fear 2007

By: Dave

Dave — Mon, 18 Jun 2007 09:34:37 +0000

Yes, I can see that we’ll have to develop some countermeasures. I haven’t seen any of the little beasts here in Iraq, so perhaps I can work something out while relatively free from rodentian intervention.

On a different note, I’m surprised there aren’t more squirrels in Utah, what with them being poly and all.

By: Stacey

Stacey — Mon, 18 Jun 2007 01:36:25 +0000

From Squirrel.org:
“Squirrels are the most active in late winter, when the mating season begins. The males will chase a females, as well as, chase off other suitors. This ritual of chasing, occurs through the trees at top speed. While they perform some of the most breathtaking acrobatics imaginable.

The period of gestation varies from 33 days in the smaller species of pine squirrels, up to 60 days for the larger species such as the common gray and fox squirrels.

Squirrels are usually born in the early spring. The average litter consists of four. This varies with climate and location. A second litter can occur in mid summer, if there is an adequate food supply.

A female squirrel will choose the strongest male during mating season, but is unlikely to breed with that male again. This is natures way of reducing inbreeding, and to preserve the species. ”

So that pretty much means we’re doomed from winter through summmer and that squirrels are poly.

By: Dave

Dave — Sat, 16 Jun 2007 22:06:21 +0000

More importantly, do we know when squirrel mating season is so we can prepare for more such attacks?

By: Brett

Brett — Sat, 16 Jun 2007 12:06:43 +0000

I have always been afraid of them Alice.

By: Alice

Alice — Sat, 16 Jun 2007 08:08:29 +0000

And we shouldn’t be afraid of crutch-bearing 72 year old German men?

By: Stacey

Stacey — Fri, 15 Jun 2007 09:00:26 +0000

Congratulations Squirrels!!! I was at the Russell building on Capitol Hill Wednesday and a squirrel burst out of some shrubbery and stopped inches from my feet. I pondered how the early European settlers here tried to domesticate them, but found they went feral after a certain age and were unsuitable for pets or to farm for food. This one seemed pretty darned domesticated. Armed with the knowledge that they are to be feared, I resisted the temptaion to pet its cute widdle head.