Episode 11: Squirrels

It’s a Bird, It’s a Plane, It’s a…Squirrel?!

Part 1 of Our Mini-Series: “Animals, Our Favorite Neighbors” (non-consecutive episodes)

We’re going nuts for our favorite tree rodents! Kara and Josh delve into the world of tree squirrels from the different species found in Illinois to their beneficial effect on their habitats! We love these cute little guys and we’re excited to bring a little bit more awareness to some of our most numerous animal neighbors.

Discussion Includes:

• The four species of tree squirrels in IL

• Urban studies of Fox and Grey Squirrels

• Squirrel Appreciation Day

• Squirrels as Forest/Habitat Gardeners

• Squirrels as an Indicator Species

• Spiritual Themes and Examples

• Squirrels in Movies & TV

©️Wolf and Stag Productions LLC, 2025

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References:

• https://www.reconnectwithnature.org/news-events/the-buzz/have-you-seen-any-black-squirrels-in-the-preserves/

• https://wildlifeillinois.org/identify-wildlife/ground-squirrels/

• https://www.wttw.com/urbannature/great-squirrel-mystery

• https://wildlifeillinois.org/identify-wildlife/tree-squirrels/

• https://www.reconnectwithnature.org/news-events/co-existing-with-wildlife/co-existing-with-squirrels/

• https://www.squirrel-net.org/post/a-squirrel-by-any-other-name-would-be-just-as-cute

• https://www.theastrologyweb.com/spirit-animals/squirrel-meaning-symbolism

• https://www.palosverdespulse.com/blog/squirrelsymbolism

• https://www.spiritanimal.info/squirrel-symbolism/

• https://worldbirds.com/squirrel-symbolism/

• https://disney.fandom.com/wiki/Category:Squirrels

• https://www.ranker.com/list/list-of-squirrel-characters/reference

• /https://www.fs.usda.gov/pnw/sciencef/scifi80.pdf

• https://archive.news.ufl.edu/articles/2018/01/why-should-you-love-squirrels-here-are-six-reasons-1.html

• https://plantgrowsave.org/appreciating-squirrels/

• https://www.friscotexas.gov/DocumentCenter/View/24391/Squirrel-Fact-Sheet

• https://www.earthtouchnews.com/cute-and-cool/cute-and-cool/six-cool-squirrel-species-because-its-squirrel-appreciation-day/

• https://www.oneidaindiannation.com/how-the-chipmunk-got-its-stripes/#:~:text=He%20escaped%2C%20for%20his%20burrow,those%20marks%20to%20this%20day.

• https://www.amazon.com/dp-0715647326/dp/0715647326/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&linkCode=ll1&tag=nongenius-20&linkId=62e6373ceebae35f9ec8f210876f5618&language=en_US

• https://mythology.net/norse/norse-creatures/ratatoskr/

• https://www.wpbstv.org/watch-for-the-choctaw-nation-the-eclipse-is-a-squirrels-tale/