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The grey squirrel's (Sciurus carolinensis) large bushy tail is used as a blanket in cold weather, as a parachute to slow its descent from a tree and as a shield when fighting. Its abundance in American gardens means squirrels, and their destruction, are a fact of life for the gardener, although nature lovers appreciate the intelligence and antics of this attractive creature, and squirrel watching is said to be second in popularity only to bird watching.

When a predator approaches, the grey squirrel will freeze rather than flee or fight, darting round to the back of a tree trunk and keeping absolutely still until the danger passes. If the hunter prowls around, the squirrel simply flits to the blind side of the tree and freezes again.

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