Squirrels: City Dwellers

Smart, cheerful and everywhere · 聪明快乐的城里鼠

Squirrels are special animals. They are smart, cheerful, and frequently seen in cities. They are one of only a few wild animals that have learned to coexist with humans.

To many, the squirrel is a natural wonder. Its large tail makes it the most recognized mammal on Earth. It amazes us with daring high-wire acts as it jumps from branch to branch through the trees. Its determination to find a way to get food is a delight to watch.

Spend some time observing their playful nature as they race up and down trees or run across an open field. Watch them tirelessly gather nuts and seeds to store for later. You'll be amazed at how much they accomplish in a single day.

Squirrels are forest dwellers by nature. However, many of them have migrated to cities over the past one hundred years or so. The urban environment is an ideal place for such intelligent animals to live. Here they have few predators, plenty of places to build nests, and easy access to food.

However, when they live in cities, their intelligence and hard-working nature sometimes causes problems. When squirrels set up home close to humans, conflicts arise. For example, many people enjoy feeding and observing birds in winter at their outdoor bird-feeding stations. Unfortunately, these stations are excellent places for squirrels to gather food, too!

Of course, squirrels are only following their instincts when they raid a bird feeder. They take as much as possible and hide it for later.

Human reactions to squirrels living in cities are as different as people themselves. Some adopt the attitude "live and let live". They learn to tolerate squirrels. They fill the feeders more often, and decide that the best way to deal with intelligent raiders such as squirrels is to let them have a share.

Squirrels are smart. Humans can try to outsmart them, but the squirrels usually win this battle of wills. They live according to nature. If anything different, a squirrel would not be a squirrel.

Squirrels: City Dwellers — Clever tenants of the urban jungle

Squirrels are special animals. They are smart, cheerful, and f(1)__________ seen in cities. They are one of only a few wild animals that have learned to c(2)__________ with humans.

To many, the squirrel is a natural wonder. Its large tail makes it the most r(3)__________ mammal on Earth. It amazes us with daring high-wire acts as it jumps from branch to branch through the trees. Its d(4)__________ to find a way to get food is a delight to watch.

Spend some time observing their p(5)__________ nature as they race up and down trees or run across an open field. Watch them tirelessly gather nuts and seeds to store for later. You'll be amazed at how much they accomplish in a single day.

Squirrels are forest dwellers by nature. However, many of them have m(6)__________ to cities over the past one hundred years or so. The urban environment is an i(7)__________ place for such intelligent animals to live. Here they have few predators, plenty of places to build nests, and easy access to food.

However, when they live in cities, their intelligence and hard-working nature sometimes causes problems. When squirrels set up home close to humans, c(8)__________ arise. For example, many people enjoy feeding and observing birds in winter at their outdoor bird-feeding stations. Unfortunately, these stations are excellent places for squirrels to gather food, too!

Of course, squirrels are only following their i(9)__________ when they raid a bird feeder. They take as much as possible and hide it for later.

Human reactions to squirrels living in cities are as different as people themselves. Some adopt the attitude "live and let live". They learn to t(10)__________ squirrels. They fill the feeders more often, and decide that the best way to deal with intelligent raiders such as squirrels is to let them have a share.

Squirrels are smart. Humans can try to outsmart them, but the squirrels usually win this battle of wills. They live according to nature. If anything different, a squirrel would not be a squirrel.

📌 重点单词 · Key Vocabulary

🔗 重点词组 · Key Phrases

💡 语法小贴士 · Grammar Tips

🐿️ 文化拓展 · 当松鼠住进大城市

本文介绍了北美人最熟悉的城市野生动物——松鼠。在纽约、波士顿等城市的公园里，松鼠不怕人、会讨食、还会表演"高空走钢丝"般的杂技，早已成为城市风景的一部分。美国还有专门的"松鼠观察"爱好者群体，甚至举办松鼠摄影比赛。

文中的人鼠大战也大有文化背景：欧美家庭喜欢在院子里挂 bird feeder（喂鸟器）观鸟，而聪明绝顶的松鼠总能破解各种"防盗设计"，吃饱喝足。为此有人专门发明"防松鼠喂鸟器"，甚至有公司在网上直播"松鼠闯关大赛"，可见人们对这些小机灵鬼又气又爱。

"live and let live"（自己活也让别人活）是西方文化中重要的相处哲学，不仅适用于人与野生动物，也常用于形容人与人之间的包容。文章最后一句"If anything different, a squirrel would not be a squirrel."（否则松鼠就不是松鼠了）幽默地点题：尊重天性，学会与自然共处，正是城市生活的一门必修课。