Where do squirrels get their name from?
The name squirrel comes from its latin name; Sciurus. The latin name however has Greek origins! It is derived from the Greek word skiouros, which means shade-tail. This is because when squirrels sit upright their long fluffy tail curls up behind them and shades them from the sun. The word sciurus to describe squirrels was first used by ancient Greek philosopher Aristotle. The first recorded use of the English word squirrel was in the writings of St Hugh in about 1200. • Where can I see some of those nice cute red squirrels? The best place I have found in England is a National Trust nature reserve near Formby, just to the north of Liverpool. Not only are there plenty of red squirrels to see, but they are also pretty tame and will come up to you and take nuts from your hand.
