UNC Bucket List is a weekly feature highlighting the 100 things students should attempt before they graduate. Check out the full bucket list and all previous Bucket List posts here.
Bucket List Item Number 79: Feed a squirrel on campus.
Sometimes they’re annoying, other times, maybe a little scary. But if you try to feed the squirrels on campus, they’re instantly friendly.
The squirrels around campus are considered ““urban squirrels,” according to Squirrels.org. (Yep, that’s an actual website. It will tell you all you ever wanted to know about squirrels.)
Urban squirrels live in smaller, more confined areas and usually have to share resources with other squirrels. They have also learned to coexist with humans — lucky for us.
Urban squirrels are different from “rural squirrels”. Rural Squirrels are more protective over their territory and have more natural predators to deal with.
If you’re going to feed a squirrel, make sure you’re feeding it something that won’t harm it, so probably no candy or chocolate. Urban squirrels will eat pretty much anything since they’ve been exposed to human food.
If you want to be extra nice, you could go for their favorite foods— nuts, sunflower seeds, grain or fruit.
Even if you don’t want to feed the squirrels, at least be nice enough to help them out if you see a little guy in need, like this squirrel at UCLA.
Next time you’re quad-sitting, try to befriend one of these furry little cuties and feed it a little snack. Hopefully it won’t end up like this.
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