The Grinnell Magazine Web Extra
Search to Grinnell College Frontdoor  
Logo Picture
College & Alumni Rel.
Communication
Contact Us
 
Grinnell Magazine
Contact Us
Past Issues
Web Extras
Grinnell's Unofficial Mascot: The Fox Squirrel

Love 'em or loathe 'em, you just can't ignore the plentiful and beautiful fox squirrels that thrive on the Grinnell College campus. We asked several of our photographers to catch the many moods of Grinnell's squirrel population.

<previous next>

Slideshow image


Since your web browser does not support JavaScript, here is a non-JavaScript version of the image slideshow:

slideshow image
The fox squirrel is named for the fox-like color on its magnificent tail. (Photo by Sarah DeLong)


slideshow image
Streeeetch! Fox squirrels love nuts, insects, seeds, buds, and pilfered fast food. (Photo by Sarah DeLong)


slideshow image
So close! (Photo by Sarah DeLong)


slideshow image
At last — success! (Photo by Sarah DeLong)


slideshow image
The fox squirrel is found throughout Iowa and most of the Midwest. (Photo by Sarah DeLong)


slideshow image
“Whaddaya want?” Grinnell squirrels are assertive to say the least, and exhibit personality to spare. (Photo by Sarah DeLong)


slideshow image
Grinnell’s squirrel contingent seems to be thriving, as demonstrated by this solid citizen. Fox squirrels are Iowa’s largest squirrels. Experts say they range from about 10–15 inches in length, and can weigh up to three pounds (anecdotally, Grinnell squirrels can weigh a lot more). (Photo by Sarah DeLong)


slideshow image
It’s a tightrope act, but no sweat for this guy. (Photo by Grant Dissette ’12)


slideshow image
“Really? You don’t say!” Students frequently become fond of the squirrels, who often boldly take food directly from human hands. (Photo by Grant Dissette ’12)


slideshow image
“Scratch where it itches.” (Photo by Grant Dissette ’12)


slideshow image
“I know I left it in here somewhere!” Squirrels make their nests in holes in trees, or build the big round leafy balls visible among the branches. (Photo by Grant Dissette ’12)


slideshow image
Up close and personal. (Photo by Grant Dissette ’12)


slideshow image
“I’m a handsome devil, aren’t I?” February is mating season for the squirrels, which accounts for all the wild activity in mid-winter, including high-speed chases and daring leaps from branch to branch and tree to tree. (Photo by Ben Gordon ’11)


slideshow image
“Bet you couldn’t hang upside down like this!” (Photo by Ben Gordon ’11)


slideshow image
Many gardeners and birdfeeding enthusiasts can attest to the cleverness of these rodents. A Grinnell faculty member of the early 20th century left us this story of the squirrels of his day: “Last year some hazelnuts brought home one day were spread out on a level area of roof to dry in sun and air. The village squirrels discovered them in surprisingly short time and made spirited and frequent predatory excursions to the store. The antics of the squirrels were worth far more than the nuts.” (Selden Lincoln Whitcomb describing Grinnell, Iowa in 1902) (Photo by Stephanie Puls)


slideshow image
At home in the trees. (Photo by Stephanie Puls)


slideshow image
Squirrels don’t hibernate, but they do spend more time in the nest when the weather gets cold. (Photo by Stephanie Puls)


slideshow image
“Got anything to eat?” (Photo by Stephanie Puls)


slideshow image
The fox squirrel’s beautiful tail provides a useful counterweight for acrobatic leaps from branch to branch. (Photo by Stephanie Puls)


slideshow image
Secret Agent Squirrel! (Photo by Jim Heemstra)


slideshow image
Grinnell College isn’t the only campus in Iowa where squirrels seem to have the upper hand. On the website Campus Squirrel Listings, Joseph Bauer reports: “The University of Iowa was the first state-supported institution of higher education to admit squirrels on an equal basis with humans. They now constitute about 8 percent of the student body … Here in Iowa City we know that the squirrels here have a the highest graduation rate in the Big Ten and finish consistently higher in most of the squirrel polls.” (Photo by Jim Heemstra)


slideshow image
“Grinnell squirrels stick religiously to the 100-mile diet.” (Photo by Jim Heemstra)


slideshow image
“Looking good!” (Photo by Jim Heemstra)


slideshow image
Ins & Outs, a Grinnell admission publication, once reported that Grinnell College was home to 476,704,685,230 squirrels. Several readers responded, concerned that the campus was some 20 feet deep in squirrels. (Photo by Jim Heemstra)


slideshow image
“I’m ready for my closeup!” (Photo by Jim Heemstra)



  Academics Admission Alumni Athletics Calendar Catalog Comment Directory Library Offices Students ITS  
© 2001-2009 Grinnell College Grinnell, IA 50112-1690 641-269-4000 Privacy policy and additional information. Nondiscrimination policy