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Black squirrel

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Black squirrels are a melanistic subgroup of the eastern grey squirrel. They are common in Midwestern North America and, in some places, outnumber the grey squirrels by a ratio of about ten to one.[citation needed]

Habitat

The black squirrels of Kent are larger than typical grey squirrels,[citation needed] often nearing the size of the fox squirrel and easily mistaken for small skunks. Each year Kent State University holds a Black Squirrel Festival (located in the Risman Plaza during the second week of September) to honor the university's growing black squirrel population, and is one of the most popular events. It features live music, vendors and an overall tribute to the black squirrels seen throughout the campus. They have driven out native squirrels in many areas, though they peacefully coexist with most other rodent wildlife.[1]

The city of Westfield, Massachusetts is known for its large black squirrel population. Souvenirs often have a "BS" logo, picturing a black squirrel. It is one of the only places in Massachusetts where they can be found.

Black squirrels also are found in the Michigan area, after W.K. Kellogg imported several to the area.[citation needed]

Black squirrels are also found in the Washington, DC area; where they were imported from Canada in the early 1900s.[2]

Black squirrels can also be found in smaller numbers in Great Britain, where they were first introduced from North America at the end of the 19th century.[3] They are also somewhat common in Westchester County and Sullivan County, New York, as well as Washington, D.C. and Fordham University's campus in the Bronx.

Several cities and towns in the United States, two in Canada, as well as a few in England boast to be the "Home of the Black Squirrels":

College mascot

Haverford College of Haverford, Pennsylvania's mascot is the black squirrel. The Black Squirrel is the name of a coffee shop at Sarah Lawrence College.[9] The black squirrel is also an unofficial mascot of Kent State University and Girton College, Cambridge. Students at Manhattanville College also identify with the squirrels, and there is a legend on campus about the feud between the schools native red tailed hawk population and the darker haired squirrels.[10]

References

  1. ^ A brief history of the black squirrel at Kent State University. Office of the Registrar. Retrieved 19 July 2008.
  2. ^ Burkitt, Janet (1008-10-05). "Critter City". Washington Post. p. N01. Retrieved 2008-10-05. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  3. ^ Forest Research - Black Squirrels. UK Forestry Commission. Retrieved on July 19 2008.
  4. ^ Kent, Ohio events at kentohio.net. Retrieved 27 March 2008.
  5. ^ Directory of music publishers at the Music Publishers' Association of the United States. Retrieved 27 March 2008.
  6. ^ Black Squirrel Books, Kent State University Press. Retrieved 27 March 2008.
  7. ^ A brief history of the black squirrel at Kent State University. Office of the Registrar. Retrieved 27 March 2008.
  8. ^ "Squirrel wars: reds, greys and blacks battle for supremacy". The Times. Retrieved 2008-04-26.
  9. ^ Sarah Lawrence College List of Student Spaces http://www.slc.edu/studentlife/student-handbook/Student_Spaces.php
  10. ^ 2006's Top Ten White & Black Squirrels' Hot Spots, at cryptomundo.com. Retrieved 28 March 2008.
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