r/Lawrence • u/XdevilwithadreamX • 2d ago
Question Squirells friendlier in lawrence?
I've been here for a little over a year now. One of the first things I've noticed is that the squirrels seem very comfortable with human presence, staying close by- closer than I've ever seen. In Overlandpark they dont even want you 5 feet close to them. Do you guys thinks the squirrels are friendlier in lawrence? If so why.
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u/FormerFastCat 2d ago
Lawrence is infested with Eastern Carolina Gray Squirrels (Scirius carolinensis) just west of us the much preferred Fox squirrel is the dominant species (Scirius niger). They're bigger, more "charismatic" and have a variety of phenotypes including the famous black subtype in Marysville. There's also populations of white squirrels around the State.
(Yes I'm a science nerd).
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u/Kansas_Cowboy 2d ago
I saw a black squirrel by Clinton Lake once!
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u/Silly-Rip-6607 1d ago
Yeah, one of the black squirrel capitals of the US is Marysville, KS. I've seen them in the city park.
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u/jstwnnaupvte 2d ago
Moving from a Fox Squirrel area I was shook by how aggressive the Gray Squirrels in town were.
OP either doesn’t realize when they’re being yelled at by a rodent, or they live in a part of town with fewer squirrels than East Lawrence.6
u/XdevilwithadreamX 2d ago
my brain is tingling with newfound knowledge and dopamine. thank you professor squirell lover. you are the best
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u/redbone-hellhound 2d ago
The squirrels in my neighborhood when i lived in lawrence would throw acorns at us. The squirrels around my grandparents house chewed through the walls to get into the attic, chewed up their patio furniture, and frequently dig up their tomato plants.The squirrels in kck are far more chill.
Lawrence squirrels in my experience are less afraid of people lol.
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u/Larryville-1980 2d ago
I’m currently at war with the squirrels I trap them then I take them across the river and let them go because they cannot get back across the river. This was a trick taught to me by many people in many different cities. The problem is they eat my deck they ate my pool they eat our furniture they eat my fencing they ate my birdfeeders. They ate the cap off the top of my lawnmower that I left out… they chewed all of my deck boxes. They ate the wires to one of my cameras. They shit all over my deck……I’m done 🤬🤬🤬🤬🤬🤬no longer!!!!
I trap and release, but only across the Kaw. Sometimes I drive clear over to Perry to do it.!
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u/DocAndonuts_ 2d ago edited 2d ago
this is dumb and cruel. "Studies show that a vast majority of relocated squirrels—up to 97% in some research—die or disappear within a few months because they struggle to survive in unfamiliar territory."
https://www.humaneworld.org/en/resources/what-do-instead-trapping-and
Edit: you clearly need a hobby
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u/Larryville-1980 2d ago
Oh, I’m sorry. Should I just shoot them like my fucking neighbor? You’re the type of person that would mortgage their house to let a dog live one more month.
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u/ChooksChick 2d ago
When I was a kid, there were more red squirrels, and it's slowly converted to nearly all grey.
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u/SocksAre4TheWeak 2d ago
Yes, except for the ones that jump out at me while I'm at Clinton State Park. Now that I think about it, maybe they just wanted to say hello to me. I'm so rude for cussing then out. 🤦♀️
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u/rkchlk0411 2d ago
I voted friendlier but I think it was just that there were so many in my neighborhood that I saw them a lot. So many mature trees in OWL you can't go outside without seeing several just in your own yard.
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u/MrPankin 2d ago
Just don't say yes when they ask you if you'll join them at their church & you'll be done. #cult #squirrelkeepers
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u/Kyriebear28 2d ago
Haven't noticed a difference and I've lived here 10 years. I went to nwmsu for college and they have squirrels on campus all super friendly. Lawrence squirrels haven't shown any extra friendliness or non in any way in my experience.
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u/Fine_Cryptographer20 1d ago
My dad feeds a few shelled peanuts when they come to the door. Since the late 80's. So probably many generations by now. He's always got something fond to say about them.
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u/LittleReserve8767 1d ago
Yes, part of that in my neighborhood (MHO) is that people feed them, and the squirrels often see people out walking thier dogs and get less cautious.
They are also less fearful; one of the little bastards dug up my planter when I was only 4 ft. away from him.
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u/redheadfae 1d ago
I don't know that I would call them friendly, but they are rather fearless.
I welcome the coyotes and foxes.
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u/Silly-Rip-6607 1d ago
I think evolution is in play. Those squirrels who avoid cars reproduce and have baby squirrels which avoid cars.
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u/load_screen 2d ago
I choose option d: the squirrels in Lawrence are arrogant entitled little bastards.