In Northeast Ohio, there’s been talk lately about this unusual and intriguing critter that resembles a hybrid between a skunk and a squirrel.
The creature, called a “squnk,” has a squirrel’s body but a skunk’s dark black fur and white-tipped tail:
Recently, there have been multiple reports of sightings of this unusual creature in Ohio, and pictures of it have gone popular on social media. According to some theories, the “squnk” may indeed be a cross between the two species.
It turns out that this “squnk” is a black squirrel. Even without any skunk DNA, it’s still a really uncommon sight. According to Smithsonian Magazine, black squirrels are the offspring of coupling eastern gray and fox squirrels. The squirrel in question is actually an eastern gray squirrel that got a gene variation that gave it a darker pigmentation.
There is only one black squirrel for every 10,000 squirrels, making them extremely rare. They are able to stay warmer in the winter and in colder climates thanks to their darker coat, which gives them a thermal advantage over typical gray squirrels.
Since their release on campus in 1961, ten black squirrels have been an iconic feature of Kent State University, earning them the title of unofficial mascot.
Therefore, don’t worry if you see a “squnk” in Ohio; it’s only a black squirrel with some fur on its tail that resembles that of a skunk, and you won’t get sprayed.
What a remarkable creature, wow! Even while it may not be a squirrel-skunk hybrid, it is nevertheless a rare critter to find.
If you are an animal lover, please share this tale!
Circus lion was locked up for 20 long years, now watch his reaction when he’s released
Animals hold a special place in my heart, and the idea of a mountain lion, especially a majestic one like Mufasa, being chained in a truck bed is simply heartbreaking.
Sadly, that was Mufasa’s reality. He was part of a traveling circus in Peru, forced to endure a miserable existence for people’s entertainment and his owner’s profit.
Thankfully, a beacon of hope emerged in the form of animal rights activists.
Many animals still face abuse and neglect in circuses, zoos, and shows. While recent years have seen some improvements, there’s a long road ahead. Countless creatures are confined to cramped spaces, denied the lives they deserve.
Mufasa, the magnificent mountain lion, was discovered chained to a pickup truck in Peru. For twenty long years, he was imprisoned in a life he never wanted.
Though his freedom came later in life, it arrived nonetheless. In 2015, after months of dedicated effort, Animal Defenders International, an animal rights organization, secured his release. They encountered Mufasa while shutting down a Peruvian circus.
Freedom had a profound impact on Mufasa’s well-being. He was finally free from the shackles of anxiety and oppression, experiencing the fundamental right all wild creatures deserve – to roam free in their natural habitat and live on their own terms.
Mufasa’s rescue story is heartwarming, and the video below captures his first steps towards freedom – a truly beautiful moment!
Tragically, after his rescue, Mufasa’s health, compromised by twenty years of captivity, began to decline. He succumbed to kidney failure and other age-related issues in 2015, according to Animal Defenders International.
Yet, his story serves as a powerful reminder.
Mufasa, a gentle giant who loved a good scratch, may not have had a longer time in the Amazon rainforest, but his brief taste of freedom is far preferable to a lifetime of captivity.
No animal should ever endure what Mufasa did.
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