MERRY CHRISTMAS from the Black Squirrels.
Posted on 12/25/2015 7:51:00 AM PST by ProtectOurFreedom
DEAR JOAN: For the very first time in 24 years at our home, we have a black squirrel in the backyard.
With about a dozen trees in back, we have had many gray squirrels over the years but never a black one. How rare are they? He looks smaller, maybe younger than the others. Is this a mutant squirrel or a different type?
Dana Arbaugh, Milpitas
DEAR DANA: Black squirrels are unusual but not rare. Palo Alto appears to have the most black squirrels in the Bay Area, but they are also seen elsewhere.
Technically, you could call it a mutant squirrel, but it's not as sinister as that sounds. A black squirrel, typically, is an Eastern gray squirrel with a melanistic mutation.
If both parents carry the mutation, then any offspring has the chance of being born with black fur, even though the parents aren't black.
Because of the large number of black squirrels in Palo Alto, a series of wild rumors developed many years ago that Stanford researchers were playing fast and loose with genetics and had bred a colony of mutants that had -- accidentally or on purpose -- been released on an unsuspecting public.
Unfortunately for conspiracy theorists everywhere, that wasn't the case. The mutation occurs naturally and is both a blessing and a curse, depending on how you look at it.
Black squirrels are least likely to be snatched up by hawks. When seen from above, their dark coloring makes them appear like shadows on the ground. But in areas where squirrels are hunted, the black squirrel sticks out like a sore thumb.
(Excerpt) Read more at mercurynews.com ...
MERRY CHRISTMAS from the Black Squirrels.
They’re common in Albion Michigan as well.
Beautiful creature!
We have black squirrels mixed with are grays when I am hunting i shoot them just the same as the grays.
I find a 22lr does not discriminate.
We have those black tree rats all over the place here in Michigan. I can tolerate them as long as they don’t start shooting up malls.
Specifically, I would note East Palo Alto for those of
you who are familiar with the Bay Area.
I saw my first black squirrel when I visited my son in Toronto several years ago.
I think they passed a law stating all squirrels are equal to rifle, pistol and bow.
Reminds me of the one we had for a couple years who must have had problems in the lower region. He’d lay straddled across the top post of the metal swing set to warm his jingle bells and then straddle the metal stair rail to cool them. Strange fellow.
Gray squirrels can have a black phase. I think fox squirrels can too.
unknown fact...
black squirrels mate for life..
if you see one black squirrel..
the other is not far behind..
dinner and breakfast..
Across the street is an old school building, in the trees one can see squirrels of all 4 colors. Red, black, white and grey. Kinda cool. The reds are getting scarcer, though. Plenty for hunting in the country woods, though!
We a few black ones in GA as well as white and black and white. They sure stick out. :-)
On the Lower Mainland in British Columbia and with the ecxeption of flying squirrels, the only squirrels you see are black.
Very common up here north of the Twin Cities, MN.
LOL...absolutely. Laying around on the front porch, not worried about going to work. Probably taught that by Mom. Dad was nowhere to be seen.
Yuck! The family resemblance is obvious. Wonder if they get together for Christmas dinner. Your guy must be the black sheep of the family.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.