The Squirrel Mob Is Back!

Well, they are a mob of squirrels, and they are from the same park, but these are actually a whole different group of squirrels! I told you a couple of days ago about a park I went to where there was a crowd of squirrels lounging around right along with the crowds of people. I didn't get any pictures, but I promised you I would go back. I went back!

I didn't find that huge group of squirrels, but I found several smaller groups. These squirrels don't mind people at all, or each other, or birds, or cars, or much of anything. I have to say I was a little worried when they would come right up to me begging for food. I'm too used to the angry forest squirrels to feel comfortable with these moochers being so close.

For instance, these four above seem to be plotting against me. I know they're up to know good. It clearly looks as if there is some kind of conspiracy going on. They're obviously good friends and partners in crime. You might also be interested to know that there are really more than four squirrels here. There are at least two just outside of camera range.

There is another thing I found very interesting here. I was asked a few questions during after my other post about the squirrels at this park. One question by Poetic Shutterbug was interesting and applies here very well. She asked if different species of squirrel normally get along well together. Keep reading for a definite answer.

This picture above shows four squirrels, the same squirrels as in most of the pictures today. The squirrel at the top left of the group is a fox squirrel. His reddish tail gives him away. The one in front of him on the left that is facing the camera more is a gray squirrel. His white belly gives him away. The two squirrels on the right are both black squirrels, variations of grays, but quite different from them. The black fur obviously gives them away.

They seem to have no problem whatsoever with each other. As I said earlier, they in fact seem to be conspiring against any human that comes by that might have a few scraps of food to share. And they are not one bit shy about walking right up and blatantly begging or even demanding that the food be shared.

Speaking of demanding. Here's a fox squirrel that walked over to me to tell me it wants my food. I would swear that the look on its face said, "Your food or your life!" I didn't want to stick around too long to find out if that threat was real or imagined. These squirrels are a startling change from my shy forest dwellers.

Think about it. Have you ever had what appeared to be a homeless person walk up and ask you for money? I have. Most of us feel bad for them. But what if that person clearly didn't need it? And then another of those joined him. What would you think them? And then what would you think if a third and even a fourth joined them, all closely surrounding you? Would you begin to be just a little afraid?

I had to clap my hands together and yell at these squirrels, "Back off you little beggars!!!" Take a close look. They're all nice and fat. There are plenty of trees where they would normally find food. These squirrels are spoiled by humans. I'm sure they also do just fine without us, but begging is so much easier. But I wasn't used to this at all. When asked that squirrely question from before, I chose my life and fled the park. But not before getting lots of pictures.


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