Black Squirrels

I moved to Ohio 11 months ago and nothing has fascinated me more than the black squirrels I see running around the Ohio Northern University campus. I grew up in southern Illinois and the most interesting animals I grew up around were barn cats. When I first saw a black squirrel on campus I immediately pulled my phone out and started taking a video of the little critter. I was absolutely shocked and in that moment I thought I had discovered a new species. When I realized no one else around me was having a conniption over the black squirrel I proceeded to put my phone away and head to class. I asked my husband about the squirrels later that evening and asked if he had seen any around campus. He told me, "Oh yeah, they are all over Ohio.. Did I not mention that?" My husband might not have been impressed with the black squirrels but I certainly was.

In the United States the city of Kent, Ohio developed a significant black squirrel population after 10 were legally imported from Canada in February 1961 by Larry Woodell, the head groundskeeper at Kent State University. ONU is only 150 miles away from Kent State and in those 58 years since they were introduced to Ohio they have made their way to our quaint campus. The black fur on the squirrels is caused by a genetic variation in common grey and fox squirrels. The mutation must be inherited from both parents. However, along with different colored fur these squirrels appear to have superior abilities to deal with cold weather. Researchers have determined black squirrels can generate more body heat in cold weather and lose body heat less rapidly than the grey colored squirrels. When this winter comes around know the black squirrels on campus are warm and perfectly adapted for the cold environment.