Adorable Squirrel Startled By Thunder Will Make Your Heart Melt
Did you know there's a National Squirrel Appreciation Day? On January 21, squirrel enthusiasts celebrate with fun activities like feeding them at the park or learning about squirrels by watching documentaries or observing them in nature. After you see this TikTok (originally captured by Squirrel Boxes on YouTube) featuring the very sweet Emma the squirrel, they might become your new favorite animal, too. Let's just say thank goodness this darling had shelter!
@brutamerica In a video from @squirrel_boxes, Emma the squirrel captured the internet's attention with her dramatic reaction to a thunderclap. #animal #squirrels #cute
The clip begins unassumingly with Emma in her nest box. Emma the squirrel is seen sleeping peacefully mere moments before she is frightfully interrupted by thunder. Then, the fright commences, as Emma hops up immediately, and seems to place her hand over her heart as she shakes in utter terror.
"Oh my gosh, bless [her] little heart," said one viewer, and plenty shared that sentiment. Throughout the comment section were thoughts on Emma's hand placement, noting it was like she was clutching invisible pearls. Poor Emma! Here's hoping she got more peaceful rest soon after that initial boom.
Can squirrels be pets?
Emma is such a sweetheart, and with a whole day dedicated to squirrels, it's clear these are beloved animals. If you are someone who spotted a squirrel and imagined adopting it, you're not alone! However, do they make good pets?
At one time, squirrels were quite popular pets. The pet-squirrel trend carried on from around the 1700s into the early 20th century, when public outcry led to many states outlawing squirrel ownership. Despite attempts at having them as pets, these adorable critters are not domesticated. Domestication is the process of adapting wild animals to humans, often changing their genetics, and it takes generations. For reference, wild and domestic canines are so different that they cannot interbreed. Wild animals are often more unpredictable and may not respond to training or care the same way as a domesticated pet.
That's not to say humans can't interact with non-domesticated animals. In fact, no domestication is possible without those early interactions, but these days, it's best to leave squirrels in the wild. One way humans can interact with squirrels is by creating shelters for them, as seen in the video. Emma rested in a "squirrel box," for example, an outdoor wooden shelter created by humans for squirrels to use. And, if you spot an injured wild animal such as a squirrel, you can take steps to get them care at a local wildlife rehab.