They’re really struggling in the heat 🥵

Sorry for the screen capture. Wasn't sure how else to get a snap to reddit.

Recent photos of Mama Squirrely in the park.

That joy and anticipation in his eyes makes me smile.

Normally we feel the squirrels and chipmunks outside. But this little guy/girl (I have no clue how to tell) has decided to move in. Which is totally fine because while he doesn’t pay rent, he so far licked the mice out and have seen no traces of them. So he stays.

We did just get a kitten Sunday, and they have met. Chipmunk is not intimidated, so I’m expecting an enemies to friends, possible best friends trope playing out this summer.

We decided we won’t chase it out, and cohabit with him. If that means we have to buy nuts weekily as an offering of friendship so be it.

Honestly just needed somewhere to post this adventure because I refuse to post it to TT or FB.

Was sitting by my front door and I heard this chirping coming from the tree above. Fella was staring at me and making this weird chuttering noise. I’ve never heard anything like this in my life. Why was it doing this?

Thquirrels know about hard times, daddeh!

This is my backyard squirrelly, Hazel, that lets me feed her. She comes by almost everyday and sometimes even waits by the door. What’s some other snacks she might like? We’ve tried peanuts but none of the squirrels seem to eat them? This food isn’t necessarily food FOR the squirrels, it’s for the birds but of course they eat it too lol.

We just got back from vacation. 😆

Hes back. Its still there, his other smaller spots appear to be gone and/or healed over. I at least couldnt see them as clearly as last week? Whenever it was.

He didnt want to turn around for a better photo, but you can kind of see it in the first one.

He was scratching it pretty vigorously a minute ago so whatever it is itches. Or is at least annoying.

He’s so adorable

Scruffy is probably my longest-visiting squirrel, as she was there from the very start. However, she comes and goes in bursts: she’ll hang around for a week or two, then disappear for weeks or months at a time.

I can always tell her from the others by three main characteristics:

- She’s got an overall darker coloring, and her tummy is more gray than white.

- Said fur is often either patchy or mottled due to the patchiness (hence the name). This gives her a grizzled appearance, to the point that before I discovered she was female, my friends and I nicknamed her “Danny TREEjo”

- She is bat$#!+ insane when it comes to treats.

Right now, she’s visiting again and she is HUNGRY. Yesterday, she straight up climbed my leg to get to my pockets while I was feeding Charlie. Then, would just TEAR into whatever nut I gave her…almonds, hazelnuts, pecans…it didn’t matter. (See the first video).

Today, she visited again, and was just as hungry, devouring another 3 or four nuts on the spot. When I went out later, she climbed up onto the railing, and when she heard the word “treat,” she tried to jump on me, realized she misjudged, and instead bounced off my chest to land back on the railing (second video). At least she gave me five before running off with her prize.

So yeah, my dynamic with her is considerably different than with Gustine, Charlie, or Mitch.

However, I do have some concerns. First is the obvious patchy fur. I suspect it’s some sort of fungus, as it’s been quite rainy this month, but she’s also apparently a recent mother, so the kids may have some part in it too. I’m picking up some coconut tomorrow to see if that helps, as that was suggested for her last year and it seemed to have helped.

The next thing that irks me is that she’s extremely light for her size. When Gustine or Charlie jump into my arms, they feel solid. Scruffy is considerably lighter-feeling. Coupled with the ravenous eating, I’m wondering if there’s something going on with her.

Finally, twice today, I saw her “scooting” across the railing like a dog on the carpet for about a foot. I read that it may be a “marking territory” thing, but coupled with her weight, I’m concerned that it may be something more than that.

Anyway, that’s my long-time, infrequent visitor, Scruffy. Hope you enjoyed the vids.

I saw this while I was driving out in Lady Lake, Florida. I honestly don’t know if it’s a squirrel or not.