interesting Squirrels facts

November 2, 2009 | In: Animal facts for kids

There are about 300 varieties of squirrels around the world.The word “squirrel” means “shadow tail” in Greek.

The tiniest squirrel is the aptly named African pygmy squirrel—only five inches (thirteen centimeters) long from nose to tail. The Indian giant squirrel is three feet (almost a meter) long. (source)

The gray squirrel can be up to three time as large as the red squirrel but smaller than a fox squirrel.The size of an adult gray squirrel is about 18 inches and can weigh up to a pound or more.

Tree squirrels run and jump so fast that they have been clocked at 20 miles per hour.

A squirrel’s brain is about the size of a walnut.

Squirrels need approximately two pounds of food per week.

Squirrels in general are found on every continent except Antarctica and Australia.

The period of gestation varies from 33 days in the smaller species of pine squirrels, up to 60 days for the larger species.

Baby squirrels are called kittens and kittens are born only twice a year.

Squirrels reach maturity at one year and have an average lifespan of 10-12 years.