Ijams' squirrels are friendly, even presumptuous

Gray squirrel (Sciurus carolinensis) with pilfered apple

Gray squirrels (Sciurus carolinensis) are fairly common throughout the Ijams' 275-acre sanctuary. They are one of the few mammals that are diurnal, active during the day. Sometimes even a bit too active. 

Mya, Malachi, Aaron and Rose enjoyed watching
a squirrel help them finish their lunch

Some are quite friendly, even presumptuous. For instance they may think a picnicker has finished eating an apple, even if they have not and scamper down the tree to carry it away and finish off the piece of fruit themselves. 

Recently a group of visitors were having a picnic on the plaza when one of the friendly Ijams' squirrels helped them finish their lunch. And they were delighted to witness the daring heist. 


- Text and photos by Stephen Lyn Bales.