Squirrels

Squirrels are those cute little critters that scamper around in trees and on the ground. But did you know they have a really long history? Like, millions of years long!

 

Back around 56 million years ago, in a time called the early Eocene epoch; the world was going through some major changes. That's when the first squirrels started to appear. They didn't look exactly like the squirrels we know today, but they were kind of like their distant relatives.

 

These early squirrel-like creatures lived in places with lots of trees. Over time, they got really good at climbing because they developed sharp claws and a great sense of balance. It's like they were the original tree-climbing experts!

 

As time went on, these squirrel ancestors evolved into different kinds of squirrels. Some stayed on the ground, some stayed in trees, and some even developed ways to glide from tree to tree. Flying squirrels, even though they don't exactly "fly," have a special stretchy skin that helps them glide around. It's like they have their own built-in parachutes!

 

These different types of squirrels spread out all over the world and adapted to different places. They became ground squirrels, tree squirrels, chipmunks, and more. It's like they found their own special homes and made them super cozy.

 

And that's how we ended up with all the different kinds of squirrels we see today. They've been a part of nature's big story for a really long time, helping out by spreading seeds and keeping forests healthy. So next time you spot a squirrel doing its thing, remember that it's part of a really ancient and cool family of critters!