Squirrel Appreciation Day: Nutty squirrel facts

If you've been feeling a little nutty lately, there may be a reason! Jan. 21 is Squirrel Appreciation Day! This annual holiday, created by wildlife rehabilitator Christy Hargrove in 2001, celebrates squirrels of all shapes, sizes and hues.

Nutty Squirrel Facts

• According to National Geographic, there are over 200 species of squirrels around the world.

• Considered rodents, squirrels mostly munch on nuts, fruit, seeds, flowers, buds and tree sap.

• If you ever wondered how a squirrel can find his buried nuts, they lick it or rub it before they bury it, which leaves their scent on the nut.

• Squirrels come in all sorts of colors including brown, red, black and gray. White squirrels are rare.

• Measuring just five inches long from nose to tail, the African pygmy is the smallest.

• The Indian giant squirrel measures nearly three feet in length!

• Flying squirrels don't fly. They glide from tree-to-tree and can leap more than 150 feet!

• Baby squirrels are born nearly blind and have no teeth or fur.

• The lifespan of a squirrel can be up to 12 years but many are killed by cars, natural predators and man.

• A squirrels brain is about the size of a....walnut!

January 21 is also One-Liners Day and National Hugging Day.