The Guernsey Squirrel: March 2013

Thursday, March 21, 2013

The Guernsey Squirrel Parade

The people of Guernsey welcome Spring with The Guernsey National Hill Climb. They kick off the racing season with The Guernsey Squirrel Parade!

Fans of the Guernsey squirrel come out in their favourite squirrel costumes.

This young lass was the belle of the Guernsey Squirrel Ball that evening. She is a celebrated example of beauty and fitness that can be found in the typical Guernsey gal.

A few of the tamed and trained squirrels take part in the actual parade. Since the parade route snakes from Le Bouet to Saint Peter Port, it’s a long and taxing walk for the squirrels, so the handlers carry them for part of the way.

The Guernsey Squirrel

The Golden Guernsey Squirrel is a rare breed of squirrel from the Bailiwick of Guernsey on theChannel Islands. They were first brought to Great Britain in 1943, but are extinct everywhere except on the Bailiwick of Guernsey. It is a sub-breed of the Red Squirrel and has evolved into being known as the Guernsey Squirrel.

Like the Guernsey cow and the Guernsey goat, the Guernsey squirrel is a golden fawn color with hues ranging from pale blond (generally in the summer) to a deep bronze-rust color with gray accents. The underbelly is a cream color. The Guernsey squirrel is best known for it's lavish swirl of silken fur between its ears that flops into a pompadour. The Guernsey squirrel is prized for this constantly growing lop of fur and several farmers on the island raise the squirrel and shear the fur bi-annually.

This docile and friendly squirrel is highly intelligent and easily trained. The year-round mild climate found on the island causes a endless cycle of nut production by a variety of hazelnut tree only found on the island. Guernsey squirrel farmers train these animals to harvest the nuts from which they make the distinct and rare Guernsey Squirrel Nut Spread.

Adult head and body length varies between 14 inches (36 cm) and the tail length is approximately 2 ft (0.61 m). Adult weight - 2 kg (4.41 lb).