13 Slightly Nutty, Now-You-Know Facts About Squirrels
![13 Slightly Nutty, Now-You-Know Facts About Squirrels](https://s3.crackedcdn.com/phpimages/imageset/0/3/2/841032_320x180.jpg)
Regardless of what continent you live on (unless you’re a researcher in Antarctica reading this) you probably live among squirrels. in our humble opinion, the (often) bushy-tailed friend is the best and cutest of all the rodents. In fact, even the earliest primate looked squirrel-like. So it’s no wonder we have an affection for the little guys…we see our distant relatives in them.
We simply love squirrels, their weird idiosyncrasies and all. They’re nature’s gardeners. When they bury their nuts and forget where they put them, they are actually planting trees. We simply must respect an environmentalist. Also, who can forget that squirrels helped Nic Cage find love? And (almost) anything that helps Nic Cage find true love is alright in our book.
Despite our love of them, the more we learned about them, the more we also fear them as well. Here are 13 facts that will make you understand our reverence for these furry creatures.
Squirrels' brains grow to remember where they stored their nuts
![Squirrels' brains grow to remember where they stored their nuts In autumn, squirrels' brains actually expand when it's time for them to start burying nuts. The additional grey matter helps their memory. CRACKED NOW YOU KNOW](https://s3.crackedcdn.com/phpimages/imageset/0/3/0/841030.jpg)
Source: University of Michigan
You and squirrels have something in common
![Squirrels masturbate to avoid sexually transmitted infections Look, we don't want to think about it either, but, now that we know, you have to too. CRACKED NOW YOU KNOW](https://s3.crackedcdn.com/phpimages/imageset/0/0/2/841002.jpg)
Source: PLoS One
Real, trained squirrels were used for Charlie and the Chocolate Factory
![40 squirrels were trained for Charlie and the Chocolate Factory Instead of using CGI, Tim Burton wanted real squirrels for the scene where they crack and sort nuts on a conveyor belt. The squirrels were used for 10 months. CRACKED NOW YOU KNOW](https://s3.crackedcdn.com/phpimages/imageset/0/0/1/841001.jpg)
Source: BBC
Squirrels will adopt orphaned baby squirrels
![Squirrels will adopt orphaned baby squirrels Well, they will take in orphaned pups if they are closely related to the pups' mother. CRACKED NOW YOU KNOW](https://s3.crackedcdn.com/phpimages/imageset/0/3/1/841031.jpg)
Source: ScienceDaily
Squirrels are omnivores
![Squirrels are omnivores Squirrels don't just eat nuts ... they will also eat meat, especially if necessary. In one instance, a pack of Russian black squirrels reportedly attacked and ate a stray dog. CRACKED NOW YOU KNOW](https://s3.crackedcdn.com/phpimages/imageset/0/0/0/841000.jpg)
Source: BBC
Squirrel fur may have spread leprosy during the Middle Ages
![Squirrel fur may have spread leprosy during the Middle Ages Red squirrels are the only known rodent that can carry leprosy, and researchers theorize that the disease may have come to the UK during the Middle Ages via Vikings who traded squirrel fur and meat. CRACKED NOW YOU KNOW](https://s3.crackedcdn.com/phpimages/imageset/9/9/9/840999.jpg)
Source: Smithsonian
Squirrels' front teeth just keep on growing
![Squirrels' front teeth never stop growing Rodents' top and bottom front teeth wear away their whole lives, but lucky for their survival, they just keep on growing. CRACKED NOW YOU KNOW](https://s3.crackedcdn.com/phpimages/imageset/9/5/6/840956.jpg)
Source: WildCare
Squirrels caused Nasdaq to shut down twice
![Squirrels shut down Nasdaq twice On two unrelated occasions in 1987 and 1994, squirrels on powerlines caused power issues that shut down Nasdaq. Sure, it](https://s3.crackedcdn.com/phpimages/imageset/9/1/4/840914.jpg)
Source: MarketWatch
Squirrels were popular pets in colonial America
![Squirrels used to be a popular pet In colonial America, squirrels were the most popular wild animal to keep as a pet. In 1722, Benjamin Franklin even wrote a poem about his pet squirrel who died. CRACKED NOW YOU KNOW](https://s3.crackedcdn.com/phpimages/imageset/9/0/1/840901.jpg)
Source: Atlas Obscura
Let us introduce you to the Malabar giant squirrel
![Giant, multi-colored squirrels exist The Malabar giant squirrel is native to India and our hearts. They're over a foot long (not including their over-foot-long tail) and can weigh up to six pounds. CRACKED NOW YOU KNOW](https://s3.crackedcdn.com/phpimages/imageset/9/5/2/840952.jpg)
Source: National Geographic
The Netherlands built a bridge for squirrels to cross the road
![The Netherlands built a bridge for squirrels to cross the road Sounds adorable, but the $160,000 bridge was used five times by squirrels over a five-year period. CRACKED NOW YOU KNOW](https://s3.crackedcdn.com/phpimages/imageset/0/0/3/841003.jpg)
Source: Independent
Squirrels were introduced into US parks, for our entertainment.
![Squirrels were introduced into U.S. parks for entertainment During the 19th century, an escaped pet squirrel in Central Park attracted crowds of hundreds, starting a nationwide craze for park squirrels. CRACKED NOW YOU KNOW](https://s3.crackedcdn.com/phpimages/imageset/8/9/7/840897.jpg)
Source: Gizmodo
In 1918, California enlisted schoolchildren to kill ground squirrels.
![California enlisted schoolchildren to kill squirrels KILL CHILDREN, WE MUST THE KILL THE SQUIRRELS TO SAVE FOOD. SQUIRDELS BUT USE POISONS CAREFULLY. In 1918 California, ground squirrels destroyed $480 million worth of crops so the government rewarded children who killed squirrels. CRACKED NOW YOU KNOW](https://s3.crackedcdn.com/phpimages/imageset/8/8/6/840886.jpg)
Source: Atlas Obscura