Why You Should Never Feed Squirrels

Created By RISC | 2 years ago

Last modified date : 2 years ago

Squirrels are cute creatures you find in areas with a lot of trees or near a park.​

They came from the forest and can now be found throughout Thailand. There are 3 types of squirrel in Thailand: tree squirrels, flying squirrels, and ground squirrels, with a total of more than 30 species. Tree squirrels (C. erythraeus) are most common in Bangkok.​

Squirrels are rodents with typical behaviors like gnawing on plants, seeds, or branches. They contribute to biodiversity by spreading seeds and eliminating insect pests. But if there are too many, they can harm some plants and cause problems for residents. Increased green space and abundant habitats have caused their number to steadily rise.​

Squirrels are endearing and inquisitive creatures so people often feed them in the wild. But this action can have a long-term negative impact on animal behavior. Squirrels become accustomed to it and stop finding their own food, causing the ecosystem to lose balance.​

Kotchakorn Rattanama, Biodiversity Researcher, RISC​​