What Is the Function of a Squirrel's Tail? A Detailed Guide to Keeping a Pet Squirrel
The squirrel is a small, furry rodent found mainly in most regions of the world except Antarctica. There are many species of squirrels; the ones you see living in trees, with big fluffy tails and cracking open pine cones, are just one type. So what is the function of a squirrel's tail? And how should you keep one as a pet?
1. What is the function of a squirrel's tail?
A squirrel's tail is thickly furred, large and fluffy, and is a great helper to the squirrel. When a squirrel jumps, the big tail helps keep its body balanced, control the direction of the jump and increase the jumping distance. It is said that if a squirrel's tail is held straight, it can leap a distance of more than ten meters.
When a squirrel descends from a height, its tail acts like a parachute, increasing air resistance and slowing its fall, ensuring it lands safely without injury.
In the cold of winter, the squirrel's tail becomes a wonderful way to keep warm, wrapping around its body and keeping it very cozy.
When a squirrel encounters danger, its tail becomes a sharp tool for escape and self-protection; they swing their tails back and forth to confuse enemies, making it impossible for them to predict the direction in which the squirrel will flee.
A squirrel's tail also serves for communicating and interacting with one another. When a squirrel meets a familiar companion, it greets them with its fluffy little tail. Those of higher rank are actually very low-key and hold their tails relatively low, while lower-ranked ones like to raise their tails, which is the opposite of wolf behavior.
2. How should you keep a squirrel as a pet?
1. Cage for keeping
If you keep a squirrel, it is best to prepare an iron cage, a two-tier one, so that it can jump up and down for exercise. The cage should be equipped with an automatic drinking device, a food box, a small nest, and so on.
2. Key points for feeding
The squirrel is an omnivorous animal, generally with nuts as its staple food. Occasionally you can feed it some vegetables, insects, fruit, green feed, and so on. Feeding should be done at fixed times and fixed places; do not feed too much, and do not feed moldy food, otherwise it will easily suffer from intestinal diseases. Chili peppers, greasy food and rather salty food must absolutely not be given to squirrels.
3. Key points for drinking water
The squirrel is a very cleanliness-obsessed animal, and its drinking water must be clean, hygienic and free of impurities. With proper care, it is best to change the water once a day; if the water has been sitting too long, it will not drink it unless it is extremely thirsty. Drinking more water is good for the squirrel's health, and clean water can reduce intestinal diseases.
4. Hygiene
Not only must the environment in which the squirrel is kept be hygienic, with droppings cleaned up promptly, you also need to pay attention to the cleanliness of the squirrel's body and can give it a bath. Squirrels are very fond of being clean; if their body has an odor, they will show an unhappy mood.