Squirrel Wallpapers | Top Squirrel Backgrounds

One of the most popular members of the rodent’s family is the squirrel, which is broadly categorized into three categories. Those who search for their food and nutrition on land are called ground squirrels, those that prefer to spend a considerable part of their lives on trees are called tree squirrels, and those that have flight muscles are called flying squirrels. Arboreal squirrels are most widespread in Oceania and Antarctica, whereas flying squirrels are most widespread in the Southern parts of the world.

One interesting thing to note about flying squirrel is that they do not possess actual flight muscles. Instead, they glide between lush green trees with the help of a membranous sheath that is spread between wrists and ankles and is known as patagium. Squirrels give birth to altricial young ones meaning that their young ones are dependent upon their mother and father for proper nourishment and sustenance; otherwise, they could not survive on their own. Young ones of squirrels are born after 3 to 6 weeks of gestation, and they are born without any body hair, fur, or teeth – completely naked and dependent.

It is reported that squirrel mate only once in 12 months. Young ones of squirrels can survive alone after parental care for almost a year. In squirrels, most of the time, care for young ones is done by female members. Most ground squirrels are either crepuscular or diurnal, whereas most flying squirrels are nocturnal. Squirrel mostly obtain energy by feeding on nuts, conifers, and buds, but if food is not available for them, they can feed on meat. Their delicate digestive system does not aid in the quick digestion of cellulose which is why squirrels feed on alternate sources. Squirrels do not harm humans, but they prefer to stay in an environment where humans encounter minimum so that they can readily hide their nuts in the ground.