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Yesterday, the Wonder Bugs pretended to be squirrels!![]()
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Ms. Suzy began the session by showing pictures of different squirrels, including gray, red, and black ones. She then asked the Wonder Bugs to guess which animals prey on squirrels. The children enjoyed when Ms. Suzy mentioned birds of prey because Ms. Connie showed off the raptor puppet. The group was surprised when Ms. Suzy added raccoons to the list of predators. Yes, raccoons might prey on squirrels, especially if they are competing for food or territory, and the squirrels are vulnerable.![]()
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During fall, squirrels prepare for winter by caching food like nuts, berries, and tree bark. They particularly love acorns and, when they find their favorite nuts, they go home and stash them in their fridge... ![]()
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Wait… What?!? Silly Ms. Suzy! ![]()
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No, squirrels live in trees and they cache food in tree cavities, shallow pits, and other areas near their nests. ![]()
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Speaking of nests, did you know that squirrels make two different types: tree cavity dens and leaf nests? Leaf nests are called ‘dreys,’ and if you need a mnemonic trick to remember this word, it rhymes with ‘gray’. Before heading outside to find real squirrel nests, the Wonder Bugs danced along to one of Ms. Suzy squirrel songs, transforming into squirrels, while shaking their ‘bushy tails’. ![]()
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In the Basswood Forest, the scurry of newly transformed ‘squirrels’ climbed trees and searched for dreys and tree dens. They also cached their snacks for later. It was hard to not eat them right away, and to remember the hiding spot. ![]()
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Being a squirrel takes A LOT of energy and brain power! ![]()
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Photos: Stephanie Briand, Aldo Leopold Nature Center![]()
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