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Squirrels: The Animal Answer Guide

Did you know that a groundhog is really a type of squirrel? That squirrels control their body temperature with their tails? That most squirrels have yellow-tinted eye lenses that work like sunglasses to reduce glare? That tree squirrels can turn their hind feet completely around when climbing down a tree head-first? In Squirrels: The Animal Answer Guide, Richard W. Thorington Jr. and Katie Ferrell unveil the fascinating world of one of the "most watched" mammals on the planet.
The diversity of squirrels is astounding. There are 278 species that inhabit all continents except Antarctica and Australia—varying in size from the lumbering 18-pound gray marmot to the graceful pygmy flying squirrel that is smaller than most mice. In many parts of the world they readily share human habitats, joining us for lunch in a city park, raiding our bird feeders, and sneaking into college dorm rooms through open windows. Reviled as pests or loved as an endearing amusement, squirrels have played important roles in trade, literature, and mythology.
Thorington and Ferrell cover every aspect of this diverse animal family, from the first squirrels of 36 million years ago to the present day. With over one hundred photographs and an intuitive question-and-answer format, this authoritative and engaging guide sheds light on a common mammal that is anything but commonplace.
(2006)

Foods you like, despise, can't eat (allergies, etc.)

Not allergic to anything food-related. The only foods I really despise are squashes, and I seriously doubt that you'll be sending me a zucchini or anything.

Coffee vs. tea?

Most definitely tea. All sorts. Current loves include: PG Tips, English Breakfast and Jasmine Green.

Where do you live? (I'm thinking climate, big city/small town, etc.)

I live in coastal Southern CA. It's beautiful here! I live in a suburb of LA, but let's be real. Anything surrounding LA is hardly a suburb. Long Beach is one of the biggest cities in CA. We live in a house that might as well be a townhouse, since I can damned near hear my neighbors pass gas.

Favorite yarns / fabrics?

While I don't have a yarn per se, I am really into yarns that are washable and not squeaky. I've been eyeing sock yarns to knit items other than socks. And as much as I want to sew, I just don't have the space or the time to do it. That being said, I REALLY want to sew myself a Kindle cover so anything cute and floral (Amy Butler-ish) would be nice.

Crafty pursuits - knit, crochet, spin, sew, quilt, make friendship bracelets, any of these or others?

I knit, I can sew and love cooking and baking (are those considered crafty?).

Hobbies/pursuits/proclivities/passions (other than the aforementioned crafty ones, obvs)

I love reading, cooking, and baking. I've been jogging lately and really enjoy it. Lately I've really been into learning about how to use more natural products in my everyday cleaning. I am extremely passionate about good food, especially for children. I make most of my daughter's foods and have since she started eating solids. My more shallow self is obsessing over nail polishes and nail art right now. Don't believe me, check out my PINTEREST boards.

What do you do in life? (job, career, school, family, etc.)

Currently, I am an unemployed teacher with no job experience. Wanna hire me? Lol. I am a SAHM, cooker, cleaner of all things, and general house manager. I am currently looking to do some teaching somewhere and am considering more education to make myself more marketable (high school chemistry anyone?).

What makes you happy?

Freshly baked bread, giggles from my sweet girl and handmade goodness all make me happy. Pretty nails, snuggly kitties and a hot cup of the perfect tea also make me a little giddy.

Random favorites -- colors, flavors, scents, books, movies, TV, magazines, genres, time of day, motifs (foxes, bees, squirrels, owls, beavers, mushrooms, bats) etc.

Colors: jewel-toned colors, especially teal
Flavors/Scents: cinnamon, vanilla, chai, mostly anything sweet and food-like
Books: Not really into romance or sci-fi, but most other genres I enjoy. And I definitely will partake in chick lit.
Movies/TV: Right now I cannot seem to satiate my desire for British period TV and movies. Think Downton Abbey, Jane Austen-y stuff, The Tudors, etc. It's turning into a real problem around here.

The Yellow Mongoose (Cynictis penicillata), sometimes referred to as the Red Meerkat, is a small mammal averaging about 1 lb (1/2 kg) in weight and about 20 in (500 mm) in length. A member of the mongoose family, it lives in open country, from semi-desert scrubland to grasslands in Angola, Botswana, South Africa, Namibia, and Zimbabwe.
As many as twelve subspecies of yellow mongoose have been described. In general, the yellow mongoose has lighter highlights on the underbelly and chin, a bushy tail, and a complete lack of sexual dimorphism. Southern yellow mongooses are larger, have yellow or reddish fur, longer fur, and a longer tail with a characteristic white tip. Northern subspecies tend towards smaller size, grey colouration, a grey or darker grey tip to the tail, and shorter hair more appropriate to the hotter climate.
The yellow mongoose is carnivorous, consuming mostly arthropods but also other small mammals, lizards, snakes and eggs of all kinds.
The yellow mongoose is primarily diurnal, though nocturnal activity has been observed. Living in colonies of up to 20 individuals in a permanent underground burrow complex, the yellow mongoose will often co-exist with Cape Ground Squirrels or suricates and share maintenance of the warren, adding new tunnels and burrows as necessary. The tunnel system has many entrances, nearby which the yellow mongoose makes its latrines.
The social structure of the yellow mongoose is hierarchical, based around a central breeding pair and their most recent offspring. There are also subadults, the elderly, or adult relatives of the central pair. Male ranges tend to overlap, while females from other dens have contiguous non-overlapping ranges. Every day, the alpha male will mark members of his group with anal gland secretions, and his boundaries with facial and anal secretions, as well as urine. The alpha male also rubs his back against raised objects, leaving behind hair as a visual marker of territory. Other members of the group mark their dens with cheek secretions.
Predators of the yellow mongoose are birds of prey, snakes and jackals. When frightened, the yellow mongoose will growl and secrete from its anal glands. It can also scream, bark, and purr, though these are exceptions, as the yellow mongoose is usually silent, and communicates mood and status through tail movements.
The mating season of the yellow mongoose is between July and September, and it gives birth underground between October and December, with no bedding material, in a clean chamber of the burrow system. Usually, two offspring are produced per pregnancy, and they are weaned at 10 weeks, reaching adult size after 10 months

Educational Insights The Sneaky, Snacky Squirrel GameThe Sneaky, Snacky Squirrel Game!Your forest friends are hungry and they need your help! Spin the spinner, squeeze the matching colored acorn with your Squirrel Squeezers, and place it into your log. Be the first to fill your log with delicious acorns and you win! You could also spin “pick an acorn, “steal an acorn, or “lose an acorn, so be strategic, little squirrel! SMALL PARTS [1]. Not for < 3 yrs. Grades Pre-K+/Ages 3+EI-3405 The nitty-gritty:- 2 to 4 player game- Includes one set of Squirrel Squeezers, 20 colored acorns, four logs, one game spinner, and game board (doubles as packaging!)- Develops matching, sorting, strategic thinking, hand-eye coordination, fine motor skills, and pre-handwriting skillsRecommended Ages: 0 Years & Up