Many of us forget that squirrels are rodents. Members of the rodent family include mice, rats, prairie dogs, beavers, hares, rabbits, porcupines and gerbils to name a few.

It’s hard to believe that squirrels and rats come from the same family. One is well-beloved and the other is hated. So why is one loved more than the other? and why are squirrels considered be so cute compared to their family members?

Squirrels are so cute because of their physical appearance as well as the PR around them. Yes, they have beautiful fur, pretty eyes, cute ears and a fluffy tail but we only see the best version of squirrels thanks to advertising. PR can go a long way even in the animal kingdom

Why are squirrels so cute?

There’s no denying it squirrels are cute to boot. They have sleek smooth fur, angled eyes, neat ears, little chubby hands and a fluffy, furry tail. They are neat, petite and look so sweet when chomping down on acorns.

Their whole appearance is considered adorable. Its no wonder they are such adored exotic pets. If that’s not all they aren’t very aggressive, easy to carry around and their loyalty is apparent. Squirrels are easy to care for, eat almost everything, and they keep their furry coats well-groomed and looking clean.

Over and above this, they’ve had great PR over the years. No matter where in the world you are, you’ve probably seen a squirrel on TV, the internet, newspapers, or magazines. From skiing squirrels, cartoons, movies to wildlife poster models apparently squirrels are good for media marketing.

Why are other rodents considered creepy?

Not many other rodents get featured as much as squirrels do. In fact, most other rodents appear a bit creepy. Rats have a notoriously shady history of being dirty and disease-ridden. Racoons and possums also get a bad rap, while acorn chasing, nut nibbling squirrels are beloved. Its really a case of good publicity that makes us prefer the shy, nutty, bushy-tailed squirrels.

Is it safe to touch squirrels?

Touching squirrels, if they allow you to, is perfectly fine. Their fur coats are smooth and their tails soft and plush. There is no real harm in you touching a squirrel except maybe getting nipped by a nervous squirrel. Be sure to wash or sanitize your hand thoroughly afterwards to prevent any contamination.

Are squirrels good pets?

Squirrels can make good pets. It takes some time for you to bond and develop trust. A trusting squirrel is very loyal. Domesticated squirrels live much longer than they would in the wild living on an average of 12 years and some even up to 18 years long. Plus, they don’t require extensive care and feeding a squirrel is not costly.

Are squirrels good to have in the garden?

While a squirrel will without a doubt fall in love with your garden, you may not appreciate it so much. Squirrels will certainly scare some bugs away and feast on other insects, lizards and even snakes.

However, they won’t think twice about helping themselves to the fruits of your crop, leaves of your flowers, plants vegetables, nuts, berries, and vegetables. They will even strip the bark from your trees and have a nibble on the exposed surface beneath.

Keeping them out requires being proactive with your use of repellents, wire shielding, lights and even a fake owl or two. So, maybe you want to keep squirrels away from your potted greens and planted flower garden.

Conclusion

In conclusion, squirrels have very pretty faces and are adorable, they are non-threatening and have been associated with doing harmless things like eating acorns, unlike other members of the rodent family.

Other rodents aren’t considered cute because they can be dangerous to human populations. You can touch and even own a squirrel as long as you take the correct precautions. Having wild squirrels in your garden may not be the best decision.

If you enjoyed this article then you may also be interested in other squirrel related articles. Here are some articles that you may be interested in: Why do cats eat squirrel heads?, Can squirrels eat rabbit food?, Can you neuter a squirrel?, Do rabbits and squirrels get along?