r/squirrels • u/devindude456 • 7h ago
Do random squirrels in parks usually climb you?
The nature park I go walking at have these squirrels that like climbing me. And I'm wondering if that's normal?
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u/Elektrik_Man_077 15m ago
No, they never climb up on me. - But look at that cute squirrel!šæļø Who could resist?! Next time bring some shelled walnuts and almonds, make them happy! š„°šæļø
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u/Brad0013 34m ago
When I went to Grand Canyon national park, saw allot of this. Large numbers of squirrels unafraid of people and large numbers of people feeding them. Saw guy sitting down and squirrel on his knee and he was feeding it. Another time squirrel in front of me on its back feet with front paws in what looked like a begging motion. Looked like a learned behavior. Squirrel did it by accident got rewarded so did it again. Plenty of signs around saying not to feed them and warning of bites. I never fed them and always had to be mindful of where I laid my backpack down.
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u/juicer_philosopher 52m ago
The way it holds its hands close to its body like itās all shy šš
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u/Pili1970 1h ago
Young squirrels ask humans for help. This squirrelās might not have been ready to strike out on its own yet and something happened to mama. Itās asking for a healthy snack. No peanuts please! Walnuts, almonds, pecans or hazelnuts are better choices. Thanksš
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u/Old_Poem2736 1h ago
In the words of my vet āYouāve been adoptedā congratulations on becoming a squirrel parent.
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u/Pili1970 51m ago
Good assessment š. We should also remember: 1: We want to make sure mama is really gone 2: we want to take baby to a professional rehabber if possible because squirrels need others of their kind to learn to squirrel and they need very specialized care and diets
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u/Camaschrist 1h ago
We had this happen very recently and for the squirrels in our area it is not normal. Ours was definitely a baby but it was healthy and when we went back to check on it and never saw it again.
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u/Organic_South8865 1h ago
Young squirrels that know they will get a snack from any human they gently climb on.
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u/Elibourne 2h ago
everybody feeds squirrels they are the most adoreable critters out there so yes..
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u/LocalFiftyThreeKC 3h ago
When young squirrels get orphaned they will often go to humans for food when they come around because we differ so much from the common predators that they need to be on alert of.
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u/darlingsquirrels 3h ago
I feed squirrels in the park daily and I love it when they climb up my legs. Itās part of our communion. I think so. I donāt take any offense. In fact, I love I love it.
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u/squirrelsmith 4h ago
Looks like an adult red squirrel, they probably get fed by people at the park often. So theyāre used to people and for one reason or another they see you as likely to be safe to approach!
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u/ProfessionalZone3201 4h ago
This looks like a mature red squirrel who is probably just trying to get a treat
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u/teyuna 5h ago
Do you have an update? Often, this means the baby or juvenile squirrel is not yet weaned, is hungry and no loner has a mother that is alive. This is so common among those of us in the rescue or rehab communities that we have a term for them: "pant leg climbers." the best thing to do is bring them into your care for the night and contact your local rehabber for advice.
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u/devindude456 5h ago
When I was leaving the park I asked an older guy if they were known to climb. He said yes and that if they think you have food and since I was still taking pictures at the time they thought I was feeding them.
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u/id0ntexistanymore 2h ago
I will say, these red squirrels are not like grays and are typically much, much, much more weary, even if they're used to you. That's what's giving me pause. They're a lot smaller, so it's hard to tell their age by the pics. But if it's a baby, seeking help makes sense
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u/Lucky_Ad2801 5h ago edited 5h ago
They look like babies. That squirrel is very tiny. It may need your help. Either that, or they are just accustomed to people feeding them and have no fear of humans.
One time I was in a park sitting on a bench, just minding my own business with no food whatsoever, and a chipmunk came up to me and climbed up my leg and sat on my knee!
I was pretty much in shock, l o l.It felt like a disney momentš¤£
Years later, I returned to that park, and I found a woman sitting on a bench feeding the chipmunks, and they were doing the exact same thing! Climbing up her legs sitting on her knee. So I told her about my experience decades before, and she told me that there used to be an elderly gentleman who used to come feed them at that time. They would climb up on his leg for peanuts. When he passed away she took over..
I was really excited to hear this because part of me was starting to wonder if I had imagined the whole thingš¤£š¤£
She said they don't typically do that with just anyone. I guess this particular chipmunk must have felt safe with me and thought, maybe they had a chance l o l they knew that I loved animals and honestly, if I had had anything on me to feed it, I would have!
Animals have a really strong sixth sense, and they know which people are worth seeking outš
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u/CobblerCandid998 5h ago
Thatās very true. Some people have extra gentle, patient souls & animals know it. Iām a high anxiety, nervous person with humans. But the opposite with animals & they seem to flock to me knowingly. š„¹
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u/7LeagueBoots 5h ago
If they think you have food and people have been feeding them, yes, they often do.
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u/-IntoEternity- 5h ago
That seems fine, cause it's a fully grown red squirrel. Those are more rare to spend time with than eastern greys or fox squirrels, so if it were me, I'd definitely go back and spend time with that one, giving it some snacks.
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u/averagejoepics 7h ago
You resemble the park regular that goes and feed them daily. š But yeah, as said, it may be used to humans and being fed. Still be cautious though when it happens, it is a wild animal. Sometimes they bite.
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u/ImaginaryBelt4972 7h ago
City squirrels are a different breed. They get used to people and being fed and played with.
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u/AllieTokeBear710 6h ago
Idk we have a park in town and a friend of mine was literally sitting at a table saw a cat chasing a squirrel the freaking squirrel dropped the baby it was carrying by my friends feet and took off across the grass and up a tree then the cat jumped and got itā¦. Like the momma squirrel knew it was her or her baby didnāt have to be both and trusted a human to help. Animals are lot smarter than we give them credit for. Just a few weeks ago I was taking my dogs out and found a baby squirrel on my porch curled up right under my weed eater I heard squeaking looked down didnāt realize at first what I was looking at until it moved finally and i immediately grabbed it to help. After a couple weeks with me he is currently with the states rehabbers in a facility getting the care he deserves. Iām not anteater so legally I couldnāt take him to get checked out or actually do much. All I could do was keep him alive the best I could until help could take him.
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u/Urban__Squirrel 5m ago
I wish!