The squirrel | Luring squirrels to the pond is how you do it
Squirrels are cute-looking animals with a high pettability factor. But the squirrel is more than just a cute little animal that might suit your kind of pond. So do you want to learn more about this rodent? In this blog I'll tell you all about it.
All about squirrels
- What kind of animal is the squirrel?
- Is the squirrel making a nest?
- Do squirrels hibernate?
- What is the use of a squirrel?
- How do I lure a squirrel to the pond?
What kind of animal is the squirrel?
The squirrel is a small to medium-sized rodent belonging to the family Sciuridae. There are more than 200 species of squirrels, found in many different parts of the world. Squirrels generally have a slender body with a long tail and large, bulging eyes. They are usually tree-climbers and have highly developed hind legs and feet with sharp claws that allow them to grip tightly to branches and logs. Squirrels have a diet consisting mainly of nuts, seeds, fruit and sometimes insects such as damselflies and dragonflies or small animals. Squirrels are known for their playful and active behavior and are often seen in parks and forests where they sometimes collect nuts or other foods to store for later use.
Is the squirrel making a nest?
Squirrels make nests known as "dreys." Dreys are made of branches, leaves and moss, and are usually built in trees. Squirrels use dreys to rest, sleep and give birth to and raise young. They may have several nests and may occasionally change nests.
Pond plants as squirrel decoys
Squirrels are not typical pond animals, but it is certainly possible to attract these creatures to the pond. In fact, marsh plants or riparian plants are attractive to the squirrel to hide food among and to get material from that they can use for a nest. - Simon
Hardy marsh plants from our own nursery
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Pond, Pond plants, Pond plants, Pond plants, Ponds, Water plants, Water plants, Water plants, Water plantsSwan flower - 4 plants - Butomus Umbellatus
€14,95 -
Marsh plants, Marsh plants, Marsh plants, Marsh plants, Pond, Pond plants, Pond plants, Pond plants, Pond plants, Ponds
Dwarf glade - 4 plants - Typha Minima
€14,95 -
Pond, Pond plants, Pond plants, Pond plants, Ponds, Water plants, Water plants, Water plants, Water plants
Pikeweed - 4 plants - Pontederia Cordata
€14,95 -
Marsh plants, Marsh plants, Marsh plants, Marsh plants, Pond, Pond plants, Pond plants, Pond plants, Pond plants, Ponds
Water mint - 4 plants - Mentha aquatica
€14,95 -
Pond, Pond plants, Pond plants, Pond plants, Ponds, Water plants, Water plants, Water plants, Water plants
Liverwort - 4 plants - Typha latifolia
€14,95
What is the use of a squirrel?
As I mentioned earlier, squirrels are not just cute little animals ... in fact, they play a very important role in maintaining the ecosystem and biodiversity. For example, they are important seed dispersers for many plant species, because they collect and bury seeds, which eventually allows the seeds to germinate and new plants to grow.
How do I lure a squirrel to the pond?
Squirrels are generally not aquatic animals, nor do they feed on aquatic plants. Squirrels have a diet consisting mainly of nuts, seeds, fruits and sometimes insects or small animals. They may occasionally eat some greenery, but this makes up only a small part of their diet, so they are not typical pond animals. But what squirrels do find interesting are tall and full water plants that can be planted on the bank of any type of pond such as; Swan Flower (Butomus umbellatus), Pondweed (Typha latifolia) and Japanese cave pipe (Equisetum japonicum). These marsh plants in fact, serve as the ideal hiding place for the nuts and seeds collected by the squirrel. Squirrels also feed on insects around the pond, so when you want to get rid of some insects, the squirrel is ideal!
Squirrel luring pond plants
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Pond, Pond plants, Pond plants, Pond plants, Ponds, Water plants, Water plants, Water plants, Water plants
Swan flower - 4 plants - Butomus Umbellatus
€14,95 -
Pond, Pond plants, Pond plants, Pond plants, Ponds, Water plants, Water plants, Water plants, Water plants
Liverwort - 4 plants - Typha latifolia
€14,95 -
Pond, Pond plants, Pond plants, Pond plants, Ponds, Water plants, Water plants, Water plants, Water plants
Japanese Hollow Pipe - 4 plants - Equisetum japonicum
€14,95
Do squirrels hibernate?
Some species of squirrels hibernate, while others do not. Squirrels that live in cold climates, such as the North American red squirrel and the European red squirrel, often hibernate to survive the cold winter months. During hibernation, their metabolism and heart rate slow down, and they reduce their body temperature. Other species of squirrels, such as the gray squirrel, remain active throughout the year and store food to get through the winter.
Frequently asked questions about squirrels
At birth, squirrels are blind and naked; during the first week, the female stays with the young. When the mother leaves the nest, she covers her offspring with nesting material. The young are suckled for eight to 10 weeks with milk produced by the female.
Tree seeds such as acorns, nuts and cones of conifers are the squirrel's main diet. They also eat buds, leaves, berries, mushrooms, caterpillars, bird eggs and even young birds.
Simon van der Velde
Pond specialist and aquatic plant grower since 1986
Simon's vision is to let nature do its work in your pond. No need to buy all kinds of measuring equipment and water improvers. If the fish are swimming nicely and the plants are growing well, then the water in the pond is of good quality. With a good planting plan and the right approach, you can save a lot of money and maintenance, and ensure a clear, biologically balanced pond that becomes more beautiful every year.
