Uncommon Pets 403 
occasionally suffermg from illnesses, like all other animals, squirrels, if properly cared 
for and taken when young, are not by any means the delicate, short-lived creatures 
some people would have others believe; and, strange to say, foreign squirrels are longer 
lived than the common British species. Possibly the plantain squirrel is the most 
delicate and short-lived of all species, but the other kinds all have lived in captivity 
for periods of from four to twelve years: the hardiest being the grey squirrel of North 
America and the red-bellied flying squirrel of India. 
The drinking water is a matter over which all squirrels are very fussy, and 
they reject any that does not look and taste scrupu- 
lously clean. 
Some people give the grey squirrel a bad name. 
The writer cannot agree with them; he has always, 
without exception, found the grey a most delightful 
little creature, full of quaint antics and brimming over 
with mischievous fun. The chipmunk, or ground squirrel 
of North America, is, however, a sulky, morose animal, 
and if touched, even when being offered a_ tit-bit, 
usually retaliates by attempting to bite the fingers of 
the offending person; a lady, however, described her 
specimen as a most affectionate pet. 
Squirrels are very frolicsome by nature, besides 
being restless and inquisitive, and when their cage is 
approached, often treat the observer to a whole course 
of various sciurian gymmastic exercises, and, with the 
possible exception of the chipmunk, display the greatest 
affection for thei: owner or keeper; and many may be 
allowed—provided all windows and doors are closed—a 
certain amount of liberty in a room while there is 
someone there to look after them. Many are fond of 
playing hide-and-seek under the furniture and in the 
curtains, and usually baffle all attempts to recapture 
them until they are pleased to return to their cage of 
their own accord. Some specimens like to have the 
run of the table at meal times so as to help them- 
selves out of the sugar-basin; if successful they scamper 
off with their prize, chirruping with glee. 
Although squirrels get remarkably tame, they are 
very jealous of another member of their tribe, and only 
one specimen can be placed in a cage, unless it be a 
pair that are kept. Chipmunks are sociable, and a good 
many can be kept together; but with nearly all other 
species quarrels are sure to arise if two of one sex are 
kept in one cage. Ms 
All the exotic squirrels are prettily marked and are INDIAN FLYING SQUIRREL. 
of more brilliant coloration than the English species, and 
this has, no doubt, led to the growing popularity of these animals as pets, for 
comparatively speaking they are inexpensive, cost but little to keep, and live as long 
as the common cat or ordinary domestic pet. Hamlyn, of St. George’s Street, H., has 
usually a stock of squirrels of various kinds. The prices range from 10s. a pair for 
chipmunks up to 150s. each for fox squirrels. Twenty or thirty shillings is a fair 
average price to give for a pal. 
