Squirrels grow fonder of inner city, says zoologist

Senior Lecturer, Head of KFU’s Zoological Museum Alexander Belyaev explains why squirrel sightings have become much more frequent in many locations in the city center – including the University campus itself.

In fact, squirrels are so often seen near KFU’s Lobachevsky Library that a feeding box was installed for them by employees.

As it happens, the furry-tailed rodents indeed have become more numerous in Tatarstan, says the scientist, “There are definitely many more than a decade ago. Their numbers are influenced by many factors, including weather, productivity of conifers, and populations of their predators.”

Squirrels are especially fond of parks and public gardens, according to Belyaev, “This little animal is a fast learner in an urban environment. They are not bashful and can communicate with people, who often like to feed the squirrels. Their main feed are seeds, fruit, mushrooms, and greenery. However, their preferred diet, of course, are nuts. Squirrels’ natural enemies – weasels and birds of prey – are not usually seen in cities, which contributes to the rodents’ comfortable stay among people.”

In Kazan, they are seen in the Gorky Park, in the Ametyevo Forest Park, in the Lenin Garden, and, among others, in the courtyard of KFU’s Institute of Fundamental Medicine and Biology. Squirrels like conifers and can both live in existing tree hollows or build nests. It’s not rare to see several refuges constructed by a single animal.

No matter how cute the little creatures are, they are still wild and can injure a person with their sharp claws or be vectors of zoonotic diseases. That’s why it’s always preferable to observe them from a distance.