Posted on Tue, Sep 6, 2011 : 8:43 a.m.
Squirrel Club? Yep and just about any other group a college student can think up
By Cindy Heflin
University of Michigan Squirrel Club founder Jason Colman, right, helps coax a Diag squirrel into feeding range with fellow members Dana Nowak, center, and Lizzie Seagle, left, in this file photo.
Lon Horwedel | AnnArbor.com
It's among the whimsical, weird or just plain wacky clubs the Detroit Free Press describes in an article today.
U-M is not even the only campus with a squirrel club. There's one in Kalamazoo too at Western Michigan University.
And then there's the Herp Club for amphibian lovers at Michigan State, the Tree Musketeers at Northern Michigan and for those more into food than nature, the Dignified Educated United Crust Eaters Society at Western.
Comments
BhavanaJagat
Wed, Sep 7, 2011 : 4:44 p.m.
Welcome to the Squirrel Club members. In the past The Ann Arbor News had reported the story about a mother squirrel that attacked a school teacher from Detroit visiting the University Campus. The teacher attempted to run away and fell down twisting her ankle. The mother squirrel took full advantage of that opportunity and bitten the teacher. This squirrel attack was reported to the Police and the teacher went to the U of M Hospital for treatment. I had used the story to explore 'consciousness'. I would invite the Squirrel Club members to explore the nature of consciousness; the two aspects of consciousness are 1. the capacity of consciousness, and 2. the contents of consciousness. The squirrel and the man are alike; not in physical form but they are alike as they are composed of the same substance that is characterized by the presence of consciousness, a biological function that is common to all living entities. Indians are very fond of their Three Striped Palm Squirrels and the interaction between these Squirrels and Man is described in the Indian epic poem of Ramayana. <a href="http://bhavanajagat.wordpress.com/2010/05/02/a-squirrel-story-to-explore-consciousness/" rel='nofollow'>http://bhavanajagat.wordpress.com/2010/05/02/a-squirrel-story-to-explore-consciousness/</a>
jns131
Wed, Sep 7, 2011 : 2:46 p.m.
Just what we all need. More fat squirrels. No wonder they come scampering towards me when they see me with food. I turn my dogs on em and watch them get mad at me. Keeps em out of my backyard and my camping space. Squirrel club? What will UM think of next?
A2K
Tue, Sep 6, 2011 : 10:51 p.m.
Nattering Naybobs of Negitavism fits most of these comments, sheesh! These students are smart enough to get into UM, I'm sure if they see a squirrel acting strangely, or, science-forbid, they get bitten, they'll go for treatment. I think it's a cute club, and if you appreciate the smallest among us, you'll go far :O)
skirthoop
Tue, Sep 6, 2011 : 8:50 p.m.
Comrades: Let us not be too critical of the U of M Squirrel Club. According to the NY Times, during the Clinton administration a "welfare-without-work" program for squirrels was started. Squirrels were making a living on the presidential tulip bulbs. The program was intended to replace tulip bulbs with peanuts in the squirrels diet without increasing the squirrel Consumer Price Index. Sadly, the result of this heroic program is that more squirrels are showing up for welfare. If the Tea Party finds out about this failure of squirrel social engineering, we will need to aggressively point to President Reagan who would often practice income redistribution by collecting acorns from rural squirrels at Camp David and giving the acorns to the urban squirrels at the White House.
jns131
Wed, Sep 7, 2011 : 2:45 p.m.
If this was to replace peanuts, then aren't we thinking of the Carter Administration? Otherwise, they might have moved south to keep up with the peanut quota.
Not from around here
Tue, Sep 6, 2011 : 5:13 p.m.
I belong to an adult squirrel club. We start our meetings in a few weeks. Brunswick Stew anyone?
tim
Tue, Sep 6, 2011 : 4 p.m.
I remember these kids that lived on north campus ( back in the day) That would feed squirrels peanut butter on bread from their dorm windows. Poor squirrels were so fat and greasy you could see them huffing and puffing as they struggled to pull their fat bodies up the brick walls.
tim
Tue, Sep 6, 2011 : 7:11 p.m.
I laughed too the first time I saw the little guy reach his paw up on the window sill and pull himself up to snarf down his 300 to 400 calorie snack ( a lot of food for a 2lb animal). A little too much love from the students at Bursley Hall.
Nephilim
Tue, Sep 6, 2011 : 4:45 p.m.
Tim, your comment instills the funniest mental image. Now I know squirrels with diabetes is no laughing matter but your comment cracked me up.
Ben Connor Barrie
Tue, Sep 6, 2011 : 3:46 p.m.
Sciurus niger
buildergirl
Tue, Sep 6, 2011 : 2:50 p.m.
First, this is not news. Second if you want to help/feed animals go to the Humane Society. Those animals need a lot of help, are domestic and you are less likely to get rabies or some other squirrel disease.
kraiford12
Wed, Sep 7, 2011 : 2:52 p.m.
Not the point. Point is your conditioning the squirrels into a unsafe practice. And in doing so... you're risking the well-being of the public. Rabies or not, I don't want your little squirrels begging for food and being aggressive about it. Best believe I'll "End your Squirrel".... lol (someone has got to get that right"?)
Jason
Tue, Sep 6, 2011 : 10 p.m.
Squirrels do not generally carry rabies: <a href="http://www.cdc.gov/rabies/pets/index.html" rel='nofollow'>http://www.cdc.gov/rabies/pets/index.html</a>
81wolverine
Tue, Sep 6, 2011 : 2:28 p.m.
Everyone knows that the squirrels near and on the U-M campus are overly tame and not very afraid of people. This is NOT a good thing. Squirrels are wild animals that can carry a number of diseases and parasites - the worst being rabies. Yet, students who should know better, continue to hand-feed them like the people in the photo above. I understand the interest in squirrels and that it's a release from the academic and social pressures of college life. That's fine. But, hand feeding and other direct contact with the squirrels should be strongly discouraged, especially by U-M and the other colleges with active squirrel groups. Otherwise, sooner or later, some students are going to have to go through the unpleasant rabies shot treatment.
kraiford12
Wed, Sep 7, 2011 : 2:49 p.m.
Grapes are a part of a squirrel's "natural diet"? I still fail to see why HAND FEEDING them does a squirrel any good. IF you're so concerned about a squirrels diet and ability to survive because of the urban boom (which seems to have little on their ability to do so) why do you think hand feeding them is the appropriate way to go about it? I'm willing to bet any reasonable animal conservationist would advise against your "means" of administering a "diet". I'll just copy/paste my other reply: "I personally know two people who have been scratched by overly aggressive squirrels. These people were not attempting to feed the squirrels they were just sitting in the diag eating some food. And you honestly thing you're doing the few squirrels you get to take food from your HANDS a favor in terms of their diet? If you're that concerned with their diet setup squirrel feeders in the trees or something. And if you're blaming it on the food left by students then go around and pick it up, you can ever wear a little "squirrel club t'shirt". Don't attempt to hand feed squirrels! Why not try hand feeding birds? Raccoons? Ants? Possums? Your point just holds no ground with me. If you were a true conservationist with the intention of bettering a squirrel's diet there are much better ways (mentioned above) than hand feeding them."
Mousedeva
Wed, Sep 7, 2011 : 2:08 p.m.
Like Jason said, the likelihood of contracting rabies is practically 0%. When our society encroaches upon the wildlife habitats, it is our human duty to protect lesser living beings and live in harmony as best we can. Now with all the folks feeding the diag squirrels, I try not to do it too often and give them what they naturally should be eating. They are vegetarians and without a natural environment to choose from, they could use a little help. When it's 90 degrees, it's good to give them grapes to keep them hydrated since there aren't many water sources around. I also work w/ a rehab group that medicate those that have mange. There was a grave outbreak last year and I know first hand that a couple recouperated and continued a better life. The fact that I & others care give our little ones hope and make for good photo ops! @kraiford12: FYI, I do feed & care for other animals too when necessary and volunteer for rescues. I also brake for ants.
kraiford12
Tue, Sep 6, 2011 : 2:06 p.m.
I seem to remember the University warning people not to feed the squirrels on campus? Perhaps it's another university I'm thinking of. But, I also seem to remember it was because people were being bit and chased/attacked by the squirrels expecting food? Either case I don't see this as a good idea. Someone in the "club" is going to get bit. And because they will not be able to capture the squirrel that bit the student, Rabies shots will be recommended. And now you have a club-member getting treatment that the hospital charges a fortune for, but don't worry insurance will pay the amount the hospital demands so it's no out of pocket cost to the student. And soon you have so many kids getting attacked and infected by squirrels the insurance companies raise their monthly dues which only costs the employed parents a small amount more out of their paychecks so the insurance companies can keep paying the outrageous costs demanded by hospitals. Meanwhile those without proper insurance have to pay the full sha-bang if I'm ever attacked by one of your infected squirrels. And that cost is now higher because hospitals are a business and they see a demand for rabies treatment. Off-Topic? I think not… a highly probable outcome to this club's activities!
kraiford12
Wed, Sep 7, 2011 : 12:07 a.m.
I personally know two people who have been scratched by overly aggressive squirrels. These people were not attempting to feed the squirrels they were just sitting in the diag eating some food. And you honestly thing you're doing the few squirrels you get to take food from your HANDS a favor in terms of their diet? If you're that concerned with their diet setup squirrel feeders in the trees or something. And if you're blaming it on the food left by students then go around and pick it up, you can ever wear a little "squirrel club t'shirt". Don't attempt to hand feed squirrels! Why not try hand feeding birds? Raccoons? Ants? Possums? Your point just holds no ground with me. If you were a true conservationist with the intention of bettering a squirrel's diet there are much better ways (mentioned above) than hand feeding them.
Jason
Tue, Sep 6, 2011 : 9:42 p.m.
For the record, we have never had an incident with a squirrel biting a student in the nearly 10 years the club has been around. And squirrels are not a source of concern for rabies: <a href="http://www.cdc.gov/rabies/pets/index.html" rel='nofollow'>http://www.cdc.gov/rabies/pets/index.html</a> You can read my 2005 response to criticism about squirrel feeding on campus here: <a href="http://www.michigansquirrels.com/fame/jason-colman-columnist-misunderstands-role-benefits-of-squirrel-club" rel='nofollow'>http://www.michigansquirrels.com/fame/jason-colman-columnist-misunderstands-role-benefits-of-squirrel-club</a> But basically, we would rather feed them something healthy (unsalted peanuts) than have them eat junk like pizza from the trash can. It's an urban ecosystem, and they're going to eat human food. Jason Squirrel Club Founder
Not from around here
Tue, Sep 6, 2011 : 6:42 p.m.
when our Dog defended himself with extreme prejudice against a roaming skunk in our neighborhood I asked the police if there was any concern of rabies. He told me their hadn't been an animal reported with rabies in the area in 10+ years. Actually I think this is a good thing. Between the wild edibles in the arb and a few fat squirells, I could make that 6 day a week meal plan stretch to 7 days!