Five questions answered about the Capstone Squirrels
If you've visited the University of Alabama's campus, chances are you've seen a squirrel or two ... or three ... or more.
They are known as the Capstone Squirrels, after UA's nickname as "the capstone" of education in Alabama. a phrase coined in 1913 by then-UA President George H. Denny.
More: Secrets of the squirrels: How these tree-dwellers thrive on UA's campus | GARY COSBY JR.
Here are the answers to five common questions about the Capstone Squirrels:
What kind of animals are squirrels?
Squirrels are rodents, so they are in the same family as mice and rats. The world contains more than 200 species of squirrels, but the ones on the UA campus are almost all eastern gray squirrels. They are mammals and their scientific name is Sciurus carolinensis. Eastern gray squirrels range from 16 to 20 inches in length and weigh 1 to 1.5 pounds. Two other types of squirrels are known to live in the state of Alabama: flying squirrels and fox squirrels.
What do they eat?
Eastern gray squirrels are omnivores, meaning they eat food of both plant and animal origin. According to Outdoor Alabama, the eastern gray squirrel's feeding habits vary according to the season. During the winter months, they prefer acorns, nuts and other seeds of a variety of hardwood and pine species. In the spring and summer months, they may eat a variety of plant buds, insects, agricultural crops or bones. Eastern gray squirrels are most active for two hours after sunrise and for two to five hours before sunset. They tend to move more along the ground and use their highly developed sense of smell to find food.
Where do they live?
UA’s urban oak and pine forest provides a perfect home for these tree-dwelling squirrels. Though squirrels prefer the permanency of a hollow tree, they will also live in leafy nests, where they raise one to two sets of babies each year. Squirrels come down from the trees in the early morning and early evening hours to feed. Gray squirrels do not hibernate and must eat nutrient-dense food all year to survive.
Why do they stare at me?
According to the Guide to the Capstone Squirrel, "If you ever get the feeling a squirrel is watching you, it probably is. With many predators, squirrels must be ever-vigilant. Don’t take it personally." According to howstuffworks.com, squirrels have very keen eyesight. "Their peripheral vision is as good as their focal eyesight. So, they can see what's above and beside them without moving their heads, making it hard to sneak up on them. Their color vision is not so great, but their pale-yellow lenses act as natural sunglasses by cutting down on sunlight glare."
Do squirrels make good pets?
Most experts agree that they don't, because of their finicky diet and space requirements, in addition to their sharp teeth and scratchy claws. They also can carry diseases. Although they are cute, squirrels are undomesticated wild animals. Alabama law prohibits squirrels from being held in captivity, along with a list of game animals. People can legally keep squirrels as pets in Arkansas, Idaho, Louisiana, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Utah, Virginia, West Virginia, and Wyoming.
Reach Ken Roberts at ken.roberts@tuscaloosanews.com.
This article originally appeared on The Tuscaloosa News: Five questions answered about the Capstone Squirrels
