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Toronto is a squirrelly place. Even the mascot for our 150th anniversary was Seskwee the Sesquicentennial Squirrel. The frolicsome animal is a rodent of the family Sciuridae. There are more than 250 types of squirrel, but in Toronto two kinds dominate: the American Red squirrel (Tamiasciurus hudsonicus), and the Eastern Grey Squirrel (Sciurus carolinensis). But what about our famous Black and White Squirrels, you ask?
Several species of squirrels, including the Eastern Grey, have melanistic phases, which means that they can appear either black or brownish grey in colour. Eastern Greys are the most common type found in Toronto. The famous white squirrels of Trinity Bellwoods Park are merely albinos.
Other than their cuteness, what's good about these critters? Squirrels play a big role in tree propagation. When they bury their nuts under the ground, about 10 to 20 percent of said seeds are lost, allowing trees to take root. Still, many consider them pests because they eat bulbs out of our gardens and take up residence in our walls. Squirrels also cause electricity outages as they often end up in transformers searching for food. When Seskwee ends up electrocuted, it causes a power surge that shorts equipment. And, because they often chew on tree branches to sharpen their teeth, they sometimes end up chomping on live power lines instead.
Still the squirrel, in its ubiquity, has become a symbol of our city. On any given day, you can find tourists snapping shots of the black ones because they are unknown overseas. Squirrels are so cool that Brampton has replaced its former mascot, "Millie the Millennium Techno Bug," with Sassy the Sesqui Squirrel. When Brampton is biting you, you know you're onto something good.
Photo by littlemykie from the Torontoist Photo Pool.
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I love Toronto's high squirrel population. I love it love it love it.
Squirrels are the bestest.
The white squirrels are not necessarily albinos, white or close to it is within the possible range of the colour phases of the Eastern Grey and there are places (Exeter, Ontario for one) where it is the dominant phase in a local population (like black is here, most places black squirrels are rare). You would have to look closely at an individual to determine if it's an albino (pink eyes are the giveaway) or just white (will have dark eyes). IIRC the TB/CAMH white squirrels are white rather than albino.
I too love squirells - and never understood this hate relation of some Torontonians, while I lived there.
Regarding 'electrocutions' - well for this is to blame your way (very primitive) of transfering electricity and phone impulses thru wires which are out on poles.
For a European this really ugly poles (in addition wooden) in the centre of the city (such a big one as Toronto) - is something completely uncomprehensible!!!
You know, I walk through TB all the time, and I never see any white squirrels... perhaps they've all been eaten by inconsiderate bozos' unleashed dogs? Or maybe I'm just not very observant.
If that were the limit to their activities, that might be tolerable, but sadly they're a lot more destructive than that. They associate human activity with food, so if you're out gardening in an area with a severe squirrel infestation, you can expect to wake up the next morning to a scene of utter decimation.
Where's a friendly neighbourhood hawk when you need one?
As far as I'm concerned, the best of the local wildlife are the skunks. I haven't seen any this year, though.....thank the gentrifiers for that.