Cute but deadly: They may look harmless, but 'mutant' squirrels have left the grey squirrel population in fear
Posted on 04/25/2008 9:39:09 AM PDT by Stoat
Mutant 'testosterone-fuelled' Russian black squirrels in Cambridgeshire are giving their grey cousins a taste of their own medicine and driving them from their homes.
A Cambridge academic believes the unusual black squirrel now makes up half of the total squirrel population in the area from which they have originated.
The upstarts are the genetic mutations of grey squirrels. And although nuts may be their food of choice there have been reports of their hungry Russian counterparts savaging stray dogs.
Scroll down for more...
Cute but deadly: They may look harmless, but 'mutant' squirrels have left the grey squirrel population in fear
Dr Alison Thomas, from Anglia Ruskin University's department of life sciences, believes black squirrels could spread to Norfolk and Suffolk within 10 years and there are fears they could wipe out greys altogether.
"I was so surprised to see my first ever black squirrel cross the road when I was driving, and when I relayed the story to my family they were keen to know all about them so I made it my mission to find out more", Dr Thomas said.
"The abrupt switch from a delicate silver toned squirrel's coat to a dense black pelt occurs as a result of melanin pigments deposited in them during their development.
"A single genetic mutation can upset this balance, resulting in the over-production of the darker pigment and the birth of a black squirrel."
Scroll down for more...
Making a run for it: There are fears the black squirrels could wipe out the greys
The unusual black form has spread to the county from North Hertfordshire and is the biggest change in squirrel demographics since the last indigenous red squirrels disappeared 50 years ago - as a result of the population explosion of the bigger and more aggressive greys.
Dr Thomas said that compared to the DNA sequence that is obtained for the gene from the grey squirrel, the sequence from the black squirrel had a "chunk missing."
Increasing numbers of brown-black squirrels are also being produced as a result of breeding between the two species.
It has also been suggested black squirrels could be spreading as they are more aggressive than greys due to higher levels of testosterone, but this has not yet been proved
The first black squirrels were spotted around Letchworth Garden City, near Royston, home to the UK's largest colony.
Since then, they have gradually migrated northwards and eastwards as far as Cambridgeshire and Huntingdonshire. They are also common in some parts of North America.
Three years ago, a pack of Russian black squirrels bit to death a stray dog in a Russian park. They were said to have scampered off at the sight of humans, some carrying pieces of flesh.
Squirrels go nuts on crack (addicts hide drugs in gardens; our furry friends dig it up)
Great Britain Top Lakeland restaurant serves up Peking duck-style squirrel pancakes
Additional mutant news:
I guess it would be considered racist if the grey squirrels were taking out the black squirrels?
Last time I was in Eugene, OR I noticed that fox squirrels were taking over from the native grays. I think we need an army of fly tiers armed with pellet guns to put this right.
STOP BLACK ON GREY CRIME!!!
I'll have to phone Al Sharpton to get a ruling on that; I'll be right back with you.....
I get a lot of enjoyment watching a family of black squirrels that forage close to my deer stand. I have seen one on rare occasions over the years I’ve hunted but last year I saw and counted four at one time. Really unusual.
So, it's mutated into an entirely different species? Or do I misunderstand?
Gee--maybe Jimmy Carter was right about that rabbit after all.
If they can interbreed, they are still the same species.
I think their idol is on my desk.
It was a Mob hit.
Nothing personal, just business.
Obviously a racist article blaming everything on the African-England squirrels.
/sarc
Their offspring have to be fertile to count as the same species. You can get close genetic relatives like horses and donkeys mating to produce sterile mules.
Obviously the black squirrels don’t believe in grey rights.
Considering that Eugene is home to a significant Leftist /anarchist population, it may be worthwhile to consider heavier weaponry....
Hopefully, Spittin' Jesse will soon arrive on the scene and set everything right.
Bring a pellet gun in addition to your deer rifle.
I have heard of Africanized killer bees before, but never Africanized killer squirrels.
Once you go black, you’ll never go back!...........
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.