Squirrels stealing the scene at the Smithsonian

When I thought about doing an internship at the National Museum of American History, the idea of working in the building that houses the Star-Spangled Banner, Abe Lincoln’s top hat, Seinfeld’s puffy shirt, and other national treasures thrilled me. People come from all over the world to see those objects, but I’ve discovered that museum visitors also have another fascination: the squirrels. If you’ve ever visited the museum you may have noticed the cute, fuzzy-wuzzy little creatures that inhabit our front lawn. I’ve never been particularly drawn to squirrels, and in fact, I vividly remember my great-grandmother's collection of cap-guns for keeping the pests away from her bird feeders. So I was somewhat surprised to notice that every time I walk outside the squirrels seem to be the center of attention, receiving oohs and ahhs, being chased by children and adults, posing for countless photos. It’s like having a bunch of little Justin Biebers running around the grounds.

Smithsonian squirrel and Justin Bieber. Resemblance? (Bieber photo courtesy of flickr user jake.auzzie)

To learn more about our squirrels I talked to Dr. Richard Thorington of the National Museum of Natural History, who happens to be one of the world’s foremost squirrel experts (yes, a squirrel expert. This is why I love the Smithsonian). According to Dr. Thorington, around D.C. we have eastern grey squirrels, Sciurus carolinensis. About their diet, he says “grey squirrels are omnivorous and will eat almost anything. Normally, they will feed on nuts and seeds and other edible parts of plants, but they will eat nestling birds and other animals. When readily available, insects can serve as a major dietary component (17-year cicadas, etc.).” What about people feeding the squirrels? Dr. Thorington says “I recommend that people should not feed squirrels by hand. They have sharp teeth and they may not distinguish between the food and your fingers. Feeding them at a feeder seems innocuous” (I think my great-grandmother would beg to differ with his last statement).

Don't feed the squirrels!

Taking pictures is ok.

However, I don’t think my great-grandmother was alone in her annoyance by the mischievous creatures. According to Joe Brunetti, a Smithsonian Gardens horticulturist who oversees the Victory Garden, “Squirrels will munch on my tomatoes, corn, sunflower seeds, squash blossoms, watermelon, cantaloupe, etc. They taste-test almost everything, and if they like it they set up camp, if not, they toss it aside, wasting a perfectly good fruit. They somehow know exactly when my sunflower seeds are ready for harvesting because they beat me to them every time . . . These are not gentle beings when it comes to harvesting/eating. Manhandling the plants is a phrase that comes to mind. I could go on if you’d like, but that’s it in a ‘nut shell.’”

This squirrel obviously has experience posing for photos.

But whether you find them annoying or adorable, the squirrels are sure to be a part of your museum experience.

Ben Miller is an intern with the New Media program at the National Museum of American History.

Comments

[Annie Wieg]

I personally love squirrels. I have fed them in my backyard for years. They get so tame they will come to the back door for food. Of course I work with a a landscaper in Palatine.Landscaping and squirrels DO NOT go together. I plant, they eat. I put in bulbs, they dig up bulbs. I plant veggies, they eat veggies. Then I have to replace! But my heart still stays with the little gray and red guys. They are so darn cute I let their stealing slide.

[Steve]

I think Justin Beiber looks more like a meerkat - you know those ones where they stick there little heads out of the burrow and look around for danger.

[Bob Stroller]

Squirrels have been around forever and a museum seems as good a place as any for them to hang out. BTW - I think Justin Bieber looks more like a hamster than a squirrel.

[Helena]

Yeah, I remember a squirrel entering the pitch at an Arsenal game against Villareal. It wasn't rushed out by the stewards as they hop in a too cute way, which makes them not be considered pests.

[Alex]

Hey! Don't compare squirrels to Justin Bieber ok?
But yeah, I noticed that squirrels tend to have "people freezing" powers, since everyone, upon seeing a squirrel somewhere, stops frozen until the squirrel gets on its way.
I didn't know that they taste-test everything though.I can see how that recommends them as pests.

[Justin Bieber Pictures]

great post

[Christie]

That's funny. I work at a small local museum, and there are a lot of squirrels on our grounds. But the thing that attracts the most attention? Turkeys. There are a couple of wild turkeys roaming the grounds and people go nuts when they see them. They always attract crowds of people.

[lynda]

I remember 1979 my dad had me play hooky from my last year in high school to see the King Tut exhibit and he tossed popcorn and making pigeons swarm me. He thought it was a hoot..he had a strange wacky sense of humor. Ahhhh memories

[Patrick Smith]

Great post! Outside our museum here in Connecticut we watch the squirrels trying to dodge the Red Tail Hawks which are looking for a quick lunch.....

[hillary gamblin]

this is a clever blog post. i always knew that these animals were dangerous.

[brittney]

I think I needed this perspective. Living in DC only made me hate all squirrels. also pigeons. Both seemed like gigantic collections of germs held together by feathers and fur.

[maggie lee]

Back in the early 90's at the Denver Museum of Natural History (now Museum of Nature and Science) we had a squirrel we called "T.rexus squirrelus" because he would "stalk" visitors as they approached and, if they didn't have some tidbit for him, would attack their feet! I believe the Parks Police finally trapped him and removed him to the wild.