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Jan21 Fun Holiday – Squirrel Appreciation Day

January 21 is Squirrel Appreciation Day, a day to acknowledge the role that squirrels play in nature and the environment.

Red squirrel in the forest.

Squirrels may be considered rodents, but they play a critical role in the environment.

©iStockphoto.com/Neil_Burton

It is an unofficial holiday started by North Carolina wildlife rehabilitator Christy McKeown in 2001, as a way to encourage people to put out seeds and nuts for these cute rodents.

Almost Everywhere

Squirrels are found almost everywhere on Earth. They are native to Africa, the Americas, Europe, and Asia, and have been introduced to Australia.

In North America, the western and eastern grey squirrels are very common. In Europe, the red squirrel is more common, but its numbers in Great Britain and Ireland are decreasing. The decrease in the red squirrel population is linked to the introduction of the eastern grey squirrel from North America.

Found in Different Sizes

Squirrels can range anywhere from a few inches to a few feet long. The smallest known squirrel species, the African pygmy squirrel, are on average only about 3 inches (7.62 centimeters) long. The largest squirrels, the Indian giant squirrel, can be as long as is 3 feet (1 meter).

A Scurry of Squirrels

A group of squirrels is called a dray or a scurry, though the term dray or drey usually refers to a squirrel nest.

How to Celebrate?

  • Leave out food in your yard for squirrels, but make sure you research what is considered nutritious food for squirrels.
  • Learn more about squirrels by watching documentaries on the rodents, visiting your local natural history museum or by just observing the squirrels in your yard.
  • Change your desktop and social media profile pictures to an image of a squirrel.

Did You Know…

…that their front teeth grow at the rate of six inches per year?

Squirrel Appreciation Day Observances

Fun Holiday: Squirrel Appreciation Day Observances
YearWeekdayDateName
2024Sun21 JanSquirrel Appreciation Day
2025Tue21 JanSquirrel Appreciation Day
2026Wed21 JanSquirrel Appreciation Day
2027Thu21 JanSquirrel Appreciation Day
2028Fri21 JanSquirrel Appreciation Day
2029Sun21 JanSquirrel Appreciation Day
2030Mon21 JanSquirrel Appreciation Day
2031Tue21 JanSquirrel Appreciation Day
2032Wed21 JanSquirrel Appreciation Day
2033Fri21 JanSquirrel Appreciation Day

See all Fun Holidays

Other Fun Holidays around 21 January

20 Jan

Soup Swap Day

Combat the winter cold by cooking different types of soup and sharing them with family and friends.

22 Jan

Hot Sauce Day

Turn the heat up in your kitchen or on your dining table by adding hot sauce to everything you eat today.