Squirrels are rodents.
Ardilla is the diminutive of arda . The term arda, which is no longer used as clarified by the dictionary of the Royal Spanish Academy ( RAE ), and the concept of harda refer to the same animal.
A squirrel, arda or harda is a rodent that lives in wooded areas and is characterized above all by the large size of its tail and its restless temperament . It should be noted, however, that many species of various genera receive this name.
The common squirrel
The species with the scientific name Sciurus vulgaris is known as the common squirrel or red squirrel . It belongs to the family group of sciurids , in turn integrating the suborder of sciuromorphs .
The common squirrel measures about 20 centimeters and weighs half a kilogram. Its tail can reach an extension of 25 cm, with which the animal can bend it and even cover its head with it.
With its body covered in reddish fur, this squirrel is common in European forests. It can also be found in North Asia.
The common squirrel's diet includes birds, eggs, insects , seeds and fruits. Although it spends a good part of the day up in the trees, it usually moves on the surface and is even capable of swimming.
Flying squirrels can glide thanks to a membrane that joins their limbs.
Other species
The so-called flying squirrels are notable for the folds that extend between the front legs and the hind legs. This membrane , known as patagio , allows them to make large jumps and even glide.
The Siberian flying squirrel , Japanese giant flying squirrel , and southern flying squirrel are some of the animals of this type. The patagio, for these species, works like a parachute.
Among squirrels, we can also name dwarf squirrels , chipmunks , tufted ground squirrels , and Mexican gray squirrels , in addition to many others. Each one has its distinctive features, although they also share many properties .
fictional squirrels
Squirrels are frequent protagonists of animated series and movies . We can mention, in this sense, Chip and Dale ( Chip and Chop , in Spain ), characters that Walt Disney made known in 1943 .
Chip y Dale son ardillas antropomórficas. Aparecieron por primera vez en un cortometraje del dog Pluto y varios años más tarde comenzaron a tener sus propios filmes y series.
Alvin and the chipmunks (Alvin and the Chipmunks, en inglés), por otro lado, es una banda musical formada por caricaturas. alvin, simon y Theodore son los integrantes del cluster que obtuvo cinco premios Grammy y encabezó distintas propuestas de televisión y cine.
The Hanna-Barbera studio, meanwhile, is behind Inspector Squirrel . This detective had his animated series between 1965 and 1968 and then returned in the 1990s as Super Inspector Squirrel .
Finally, we cannot fail to mention Arenita Cheeks ( Sandy Cheeks ). She is the best friend of SpongeBob and Patrick Star ; To survive underwater , this squirrel always wears a helmet that allows it to breathe. Arenita Chejillas is a karate fighter, scientist and lover of extreme sports.