There is some debate in the comments there on the veracity of the photo. Certainly there are risks involved in dressing wildlife, so the question is: is it real? Is it photoshop? Is it *gasp* taxidermy?
-------------------- Too broke to pay attention Posts: 452 | From: Omaha, NE | Registered: Aug 2005
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posted
It possibly real. One of my coworkers some years ago. Ran a home to save young squerals that fell out of trees. A couple of them were somewhat tamed. They had a tendency to bite when were scared of something or you hurt them in someway. Most of the time they were fine around the their caretaker.
Posts: 597 | From: Bellingham, WA | Registered: Nov 2005
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posted
It looks a bit fishy to me, but I'm not sure why. I think it just looks too perfect; there are no wrinkles or anything in the sweater and it follows the shape of the squirrel perfectly.
Cute picture, though.
When I was a grad student at the University of Colorado I used to share my daily peanut butter sandwich with the squirrels. They would come up and eat out of my hand and sometimes I could pat their little heads while they were eating. So cute!
-------------------- saxea ut effigies bacchantis prospicit eheu | prospicit et magnis curarum fluctuat undis -Catullus Posts: 435 | From: Iowa | Registered: Mar 2006
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posted
I doubt that's real. The squirrels on our nature trail all wear black leather jackets with lots of chrome studs.
-------------------- "No hard feelin's and HOPpy New Year!"--Walt Kelly Hear what you're missing: ARTC podcasts! http://artcpodcast.org/ Posts: 7581 | From: Gainesville, Georgia | Registered: Jun 2000
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posted
Here's a picture of Twiggy, the water-skiing squirrel wearing his life jacket. I suppose it's possible the squirrel in the OP was "tamed" enough for clothing.
-------------------- Writing is not necessarily something to be ashamed of -- but do it in private, and wash your hands afterwards.
- Lazarus Long Posts: 300 | From: Waldorf, MD | Registered: Jan 2006
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posted
It's crocheted, not knitted, so it has a more "firm" texture than a knitted item and wouldn't have much wrinkling. I crochet, and the way that curves around his knee is how I would expect a real crocheted item to act.
We had a wild (probably hand reared) squirrel near our old apartment that would run up to be fed if you clicked your tongue at him. The first time I did it, it was instinctual, and I nearly crapped myself as he ran at me. I thought for a moment he was rabid or something and was going to run up my leg. He just stood with his paws up at me. We later got some peanuts for him, and he would take them from your hand. Somewhere around here, I have a pic of him taking a peanut from my mouth. It looks a little fake, because it's so weird for a squirrel to do, but it just took a lot of takes. One time I didn't release it from my teeth fast enough for him, and he swiped my cheek with his little hand to get me to let go.
I think it's entirely likely the squirrel is a hand raised, young squirrel wearing an actual crocheted sweater.
posted
Squirrels do not have to be hand-reared to approach people; all it takes is feeding them regularly. I say the picture is real,you can see the way the skin is bunched up around the chin and arms by the stiff sweater. As has been pointed out, squirrels are not very hard to tame if you find an injured or orphan baby. I have known several tame squirrels, and one tame flying squirrel: they were all delightful little creature, except for the tendency to nip when stressed. I think it would be a simple matter to accustom a tame squirrel to clothes.
-------------------- "Accompanied by the ghosts of dolphins, the ghost of a ship sailed on..." Terry Pratchett Posts: 660 | From: Gainesville, FL | Registered: Dec 2005
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posted
How often do squirrels have their tails across their backs like that? Am I the only one who thinks that looks a bit unnatural?
Posts: 144 | From: Sweden | Registered: Sep 2005
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quote:Originally posted by Wish You Were Her: How often do squirrels have their tails across their backs like that?
Basically every time they sit like that, grey squirrels hold their tails up like that or twitch it around, curled up behind them.
Posts: 4922 | From: Kyoto, Japan | Registered: Sep 2005
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quote:Originally posted by Brad from Georgia: I doubt that's real. The squirrels on our nature trail all wear black leather jackets with lots of chrome studs.
Ivy League squirrels usually tie their sweaters around their waists.
Posts: 4922 | From: Kyoto, Japan | Registered: Sep 2005
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posted
I agree it's probably a tame squirrel. I've known several people who have had squirrels for pets... If they are raised from babies they can be pretty friendly. You can also find people who breed and raise squirrels (example.)
A friend of mine recently took in two orphaned squirrels, and they were fed by hand and never tried to bite or anything... They wanted to release them into the wild eventually. Unfortunately one of them was released too soon and suffered some injuries which ended up being fatal
-------------------- Before you criticize someone, you should walk a mile in their shoes. That way, when you criticize them, you're a mile away and you have their shoes. Posts: 2110 | From: Chicago, IL | Registered: Jul 2000
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In other news, Cute Overload meets Snopes! My two favorite websites, meeting in perfect synergy for one beautiful moment. Ah, the happiness. Furthermore, that link was found by the fabulous Jen and Theo. I'm not that good.
Aura
-------------------- "Are we talking misdemeanor trouble or squeal like a pig trouble?" Posts: 618 | From: Ann Arbor, Michigan | Registered: May 2006
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In other news, Cute Overload meets Snopes! My two favorite websites, meeting in perfect synergy for one beautiful moment. Ah, the happiness. Furthermore, that link was found by the fabulous Jen and Theo. I'm not that good.
Aura
What am I missing? How does the fact that the photo is on DeviantArt prove that it's real- aside from taking the guy's word for it?
I noticed is says "Squirrel in Sweater Part Trois" so I looked for part un and deux and came up with nothing but cartoons.
posted
I'm still not seeing where the artist says that the pics are real. Note the different sweaters in each squirrel pic - someone made three tiny sweaters and put each on the squirrel(s)?
-------------------- If you say you love ice cream, you better be dreaming of an orgy with Ben, Jerry, and one fine-ass chunky monkey.
-- My sister and poet extraordinaire, Joanna Hoffman Posts: 1475 | From: Los Angeles, CA | Registered: Jan 2006
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quote:Originally posted by bthyb: I'm still not seeing where the artist says that the pics are real. Note the different sweaters in each squirrel pic - someone made three tiny sweaters and put each on the squirrel(s)?
Somewhere I saw where he has other pictures of the squirrel, apparently a pet.
Posts: 687 | From: Grand Rapids, Michigan | Registered: Jul 2005
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quote:Originally posted by bthyb: I'm still not seeing where the artist says that the pics are real. Note the different sweaters in each squirrel pic - someone made three tiny sweaters and put each on the squirrel(s)?
Scroll down one the first link and read the comments. The artist says his/her stepmother made the sweaters and seems to indicate the squirrel is a pet.
-------------------- If you are allergic to a thing, it is best not to put that thing in your mouth, particularly if the thing is cats. - Lemony Snicket
-------------------- I used to think the brain was the most fascinating part of the body. Then I realized, look what's telling me that. -Emo Philips Posts: 36 | From: Chicago | Registered: Nov 2004
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