Wildlife in D.C.

During a recent stroll, we noticed a squirrel.  This squirrel (pictured below).caught our attention because it was black.  A gray or brown squirrel makes sense, but a black squirrel?  What's up with that?

Some research revealed the answer.  Blame Canada! 

According to Washington Post columnist John Kelly (not the White House Chief of Staff), black squirrels first arrived in D.C. from Ontario, Canada.  A scurry (group) of 8 squirrels arrived at the Smithsonian National Zoo in 1902 and were released in the zoo.  They have flourished during the past century and have spread to other parts of D.C., including our neighborhood, the West End.  

It turns out that the black squirrels were received as part of a prisoner exchange of sorts.  A scurry of gray squirrels was sent to Ontario in exchange for some of their ebony cousins.  

Who knew?

P.S.  Here is another shot of our furry friend. It's almost as if the squirrel is saying, "Are you looking at me?"