Cute as they are squirrels are actually rodents putting them in the same family as mice and rats! The rodent family is a huge family — actually the biggest mammal family with over 1 650 species making up 40 percent of all mammals. Squirrels are part of a sub-family which includes both tree and ground squirrels as well as flying squirrels chipmunks prairie dogs and woodchucks. Squirrels are found in Europe Asia America and Africa. Depending on the species many squirrels prefer to live in forests but you can often spot them in the local city parks too — and sometimes in your backyard!

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