What similarities do squirrels and hippos share? Initially, they may seem very different! Hippos are much larger, while squirrels are much more adept at climbing trees. However, upon closer inspection, you may discover that squirrels and hippos have more in common than meets the eye. They are both mammals. They both primarily consume plants. One of their most intriguing similarities is that they have both been kept as pets!
Which do you believe would make a better pet? President Calvin Coolidge would argue that his pet hippo, Billy, was a fantastic companion! However, many people might consider a pet squirrel to be easier to care for. After all, squirrels are related to mice, which are commonly kept as pets.
However, bringing a squirrel into your home may present some challenges! Just like any other pet, you would need to train your squirrel and establish rules. How would you teach your squirrel not to chew on the remote control? What if they scratched up the curtains? Do you think you could persuade your pet not to nibble on the dining room furniture? What would you do if your squirrel relieved itself on the kitchen floor?
Nevertheless, if you have ever observed squirrels up close, you are aware of how adorable they are. You may still be tempted to have a small, furry pet. Squirrels in cartoons also appear to be quite intelligent. Many of us would love to study marine creatures with Sandy Cheeks or embark on an adventure with Rocky the Flying Squirrel. If you still believe that a squirrel would make a wonderful pet, you are not alone. In fact, squirrels were popular pets many years ago.
Early American colonists often kept wild animals as pets. They adopted badgers, raccoons, and even buffalo. However, squirrels were the most popular choice. In 1722, Benjamin Franklin even wrote a eulogy for a friend’s pet squirrel named Mungo.
By the mid-18th century, squirrels were commonly sold as pets. It was not uncommon for families to include pet squirrels in their family portraits. Some of these paintings can even be found in renowned museums. However, over time, people began to realize that squirrels are wild animals and not easy to care for. Squirrels are energetic creatures that require ample space and exercise. The forest trees provide an ideal playground for them. The interior of a house? Not so much…
Squirrels also possess razor-sharp teeth and claws that can easily tear through clothing, curtains, and human skin. Their teeth continually grow, so they chew on hard objects to wear them down. This often results in them chewing on anything in sight. Take a look around you — what items in your home could a squirrel potentially chew on? It is evident how this could lead to problems.
To prevent your squirrel from feasting on your furniture, you will need to feed them regularly. You won’t find any large bags of “squirrel chow” at the pet store. Instead, you will need to prepare your squirrel’s meals yourself. Squirrels consume a mixture of nuts, insects, and fruits. Nuts and fruits may be easy to find, but what about insects? Do you even own a butterfly net? Keeping a squirrel well-fed and healthy is no simple task.
Starting in the early 20th century, squirrels were seen as nuisances rather than domesticated animals. Laws were implemented to protect squirrels in terms of wildlife conservation and exotic pet regulations. Presently, keeping a squirrel as a pet is illegal in numerous states. Animal experts support this prohibition because squirrels are wild creatures that, despite their adorable appearance, should remain in their natural habitat.
Give It a Try
Are you interested in learning more about squirrels? Make sure to engage in the following activities with a friend or family member:
- Why would someone want a pet squirrel? If you haven’t seen any of these adorable squirrel pictures, you probably don’t know the answer. Do any of these pictures make you want a squirrel as a pet? Explain your reasoning to a friend or family member.
- What are your thoughts on keeping squirrels as pets? Take some time today to go outside and observe squirrels in their natural environment. If you don’t have any squirrels in your backyard, you can likely find some in a nearby park. Take note of their typical behavior. Which of these behaviors do you think would be problematic if a squirrel were kept inside a house? Use your observations to create a list of pros and cons regarding squirrel ownership.
- Based on what you’ve learned about squirrels as pets, create a daily schedule that you think a squirrel owner would follow. Make sure to include nap time, playtime, cleaning time, time spent searching for food, and time spent preparing food. Discuss your schedule with a friend or family member. Do you believe that owning a squirrel as a pet would be worth the investment of time and money? Explain your reasoning.
Interesting Sources
- https://www.atlasobscura.com/articles/pet-squirrel-craze (accessed 27 March 2019)
- http://www.vin.com/apputil/Project/DefaultAdv1.aspx?pid=756&id=5454945 (accessed 27 March 2019)
- http://www.slate.com/blogs/normal/2016/11/02/are_squirrels_good_pets_instagram_squirrels_make_it_seem_easy.html (accessed 27 March 2019)
Leave a Reply