Northern Squirrels With A Taste For...Christmas Lights

A Canadian town is under siege from Christmas-light-loving squirrels. According to the CBC, the town of Fredericton has tried to fight back by using larger bulbs, but town group general manager Bruce McCormack said, "Well, I think it's been four years now that we've tried to keep the downtown lit with LED lights, and it seems to be a losing battle... The squirrels, I think, are getting the better of us. They seem to be very, very hungry and they like plastic and they like the LED lights and that's all. We just can't fight them anymore." But he admitted, "It's fun to watch the squirrels. They'll come out … and they go up and they perch themselves in that tree and they gnaw away at the lights — but not the red ones."

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By Jen Chung in News on December 25, 2009 9:50 AM

Comments [rss]

bagelman

The other day, I was eating a bagel (naturally) on a bench and a fucking squirrel came over my shoulder and stuck its face practically at my ear, leaning in close for a bite, or a nibble, or however the fuck squirrels eat. I've never minded squirrels and have even appreciated their peripheral scurrying throughout my life, but if they're going to be pulling this aggressive pigeon shit in public parks, I'd say fuck 'em!

Earthdog

I think I may have seen one of those squirrels eating lightbulbs at the Coney Island Sideshow last summer.

NannyState

Modern life sucks. In the old days squirrels used to enjoy hot candle wax dripping on their nuts.

Snoopy

That's probably the reason why you don't see many of that type of squirrel around anymore.

Snoopy

UH DUH? Mr. town group general manager Bruce McCormack, how about switching to all red lights?

FelixtheCat & Christine Quinn'

Maybe have Acorn and nuts for them to eat instead?

CR

Sure, why not introduce other non-native things for them to eat too? Very good Felix - you're obviously fully versed on the natural world...

Spirit of 76

You would think felix would know "nuts" better than anybody, just probably not the kinds that grow only tropically. Nuts are certainly native to Gothamist.

FelixtheCat & Christine Quinn'

As I stated to you before, All your name calling means nothing from someone cruel as you. Your PURCHASE of a cat From a BREEDER really shows how callous and self-involved you are. And your concern for the abuser of Justice was icing to the cake. SHAME ON YOU. I feel sorry for your cat, really sorry.

FelixtheCat & Christine Quinn'

They're hungry so they not have a feeder for them so they won't eat the lights. Nuts aren't native in Canada? News to me.