Why is a squirrel called a squirrel? Answers to all questions

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Why is a squirrel called a squirrel? Answers to all questions
Why is a squirrel called a squirrel? Answers to all questions
Anonim

Almost everyone who likes to walk in the woods has had the good fortune to see a squirrel at least once. This interesting animal is familiar to both adults and very young children. Why does everyone love him so much? Red, fluffy, they deftly run through the trees, jumping from branch to branch again and again. It is very interesting to watch their peculiar game. Want to learn more about these cute little animals?

red squirrel
red squirrel

The most interesting thing about proteins

  1. Proteins are not as energetic during the day as they are in the morning or evening. This time is considered the most active in animals.
  2. Squirrels need large supplies to survive the cold winter. 3000 nuts will be enough for her to soak in the cold season.
  3. Squirrel babies are born with fairly well-developed claws, but they still can't see.
  4. The squirrel's tail helps it steer as it jumps from branch to branch.
  5. In general, these are solitary animals, but they can spend the cold season together, having gathered in a group of 3-6 individuals.
  6. Animals stock up every autumn, hiding them in various secluded places.
  7. On the front legs, animals also have vibrissae, as well as on the ears.
  8. In the wild, squirrels are not so commonlive up to 4 years. At home, squirrels live long enough, about 12 years.
  9. Squirrels love nuts, but peanuts are not digestible in their bodies, so they should not be fed.
  10. Squirrels can give birth to 2 to 11 babies at a time.
  11. Their teeth never stop growing throughout their lives.
  12. These animals hear very well. Hearing is the most acute sense.
  13. Squirrels often use their tail as a parachute. It helps to survive falling from great heights.
  14. The animals themselves molt 2 times a year, and their tail only once a year.

Here are such unusual, it turns out, red animals.

You can read endlessly about these charming rodents, learning more and more. But why not ask the following question: “Why is a squirrel called a squirrel?” It's worth looking into.

Why is a squirrel called a squirrel?

There are different versions of why she was called that way. The first version says that the word "squirrel" comes from the word "white". But what does the white color have to do with it if these animals have red or brownish fur? Everyone has long been accustomed to the fact that the squirrel is red. In fact, not all proteins have a similar color. As you know, these animals live in various parts of the world. White squirrels live in Indonesia. What is most interesting, squirrel fur in general can vary greatly in color. There are even albino squirrels. Such individuals are extremely rare.

old name for squirrel
old name for squirrel

The second, more plausible version suggests that the word "squirrel" comes from the namecoin, which in the old days was called "white". The question is imposed: “What is the connection between coins and squirrels?” The most direct connection. The fact is that squirrel skins served as this bargaining chip. The animal weighs about 250 g, but at that time it was always in circulation. The fur of animals was also very much appreciated. In addition to squirrels, martens were also used. Money had not yet been invented at that time, so they used such an interesting, but far from harmless option.

It is worth noting that most people tend to the second version. But everyone chooses which version to stick to and what is the answer to the question of why a squirrel is called a squirrel.

What else is it called? More on that below.

Other names

What is another name for a squirrel? Or rather, they were called. Let's remember the old name of the squirrel. In ancient times in Russia, this animal was called a string. He also had another, no less interesting name - veksha. What else is interesting in the world of red squirrels?

Some more interesting facts

Squirrels eat a lot. By right, they can be called very gluttonous. In a week, they can eat as much food as corresponds to their weight. Everyone knows that flying squirrels exist. In fact, they cannot fly for a long time, but only glide from tree to tree.

As mentioned above, the color of the fur is completely different: from white to black. But most often she is red or with shades of brown.

The hind legs are well developed in these small animals, which helps them to deftly run through the trees. The front legs, as you can see, are quite short.

squirrel fur
squirrel fur

Weight is also not great. An adult weighs no more than 2 kg. But what do these animals eat? Most often they eat insect larvae, nuts, cones and even small birds.

How to lure a squirrel?

Is it easy to see the animal up close? How to do it? These questions are often of interest not only to children, but also to adults. Indeed, it is insanely interesting to see this fluffy next to you, and not high up on a tree. There is an exit. You can lure a squirrel, but the main thing here is patience.

why is a squirrel called a squirrel
why is a squirrel called a squirrel

You can try to give her nuts on an open palm. Since the animals catch the intonation of the voice quite well, you can quietly say something. This method may work, but again, patience is all it takes.

That's so much interesting fraught with a small animal. Now you know why a squirrel is called a squirrel, what it eats and whether it is possible to lure it to you. And finally, the advice is this: walk more in the forest, in the park, breathe fresh air and watch these wonderful animals. The natural world is amazing and beautiful.

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