my "pet" Stubby squirrel s still going strong. definitely chubby Stubby now.
lacking a tail, he can't warn off other squirrels by tail shaking, so he, or she, makes a sound, like throat clearing without the rasp, repeatedly whenever another squirrel approaches his personal space in a pile of peanuts.
didn't get a video of that, but here's one out front.
it's so sweet ❤️❤️❤️
@holon42
He's adorable! 🥰 🐿️ I think I know that sound, like a clicking? Squirrel watching/feeding is so rewarding, have fun!
no, not the usual clicking. this is a soft sound, just loud enough to hear. at first i couldn't figure out what it was until i saw her doing it.
@holon42
Sounds sweet! 🥰 🐿️
it is. he shows up whenever i'm outside, knows my schedule, so i give her extra treats and talk to him.
@holon42
That's awesome that you talk to them! I do that too, they seem to like it. Some will take an almond from my hand, and a couple of that bunch will even let me stroke their arm!
cool. they do get friendly occasionally. chipmunks more so. there was one who used to let me stroke his back while he gathered sunflower seeds. gone now. he was here regularly for about 4 years.
@holon42
Chipmunks were my first experience feeding little critters, I think I was 5. 🥰
Having a wild critter come around regularly for years is wonderful! I always think of the saying, "If you love something, set it free..."
The squirrel I use for my avi, Chevron, came around for 6 years and we got to know each other very well. 🥰
@holon42
It is! Somehow Chevron and I both knew her last visit would be her last. She was very old for a squirrel (6-7 years, but young in this pic), was losing weight due to dental problems, and winter was coming on. I still remember the long, lingering touch of her paw on my hand. 😭 ❤️ 🐿️
it's difficult. i find that the damaged ones are recognizable. half tail, no tail, broken tail, etc. also the grey squirrels have different patterns and shades, as well as different ear colours and tufts.
it is very hard to keep track though.
@holon42 @poemblaze
That's how we spot most of them, scars and such. My current best buddy is Scratch, for the scratch on his eye that luckily didn't damage the eye itself. Then there's Scarface, Funny Tail, and Scruffy Guy.
I like Matt's idea of little sweaters! Maybe I could make little Gore-Tex coats so they'd be waterproof and breathable. 😂