I’ve only been abroad one time, and there were little gecko/lizard things everywhere, climbing up walls and scurrying across roads, and nobody cared. I was constantly fascinated but to the locals they’re just kinda there.

Bonus question to anyone who visited the UK - was there anything that fascinated you but I’d be taking for granted?

Pic unrelated.

        • Blisterexe@lemmy.zip
          link
          fedilink
          arrow-up
          10
          ·
          3 days ago

          A squirrel in a public park near me climbed up on me to get to the peanuts I was holding, no fear. It was also absurdly obese.

          • Ugh@sh.itjust.works
            link
            fedilink
            arrow-up
            5
            arrow-down
            1
            ·
            2 days ago

            It was also absurdly obese.

            Hey, just like many of our people! Yay, America!

            Those poor lil things… I feel sad for them. :(

          • happydoors@lemmy.world
            link
            fedilink
            arrow-up
            1
            ·
            2 days ago

            Had the same experience in Ann Arbor, MI. The next day I learned they have a squirrel feeding club and a kid walked around in the morning with granola bars throwing them out to a circle of 20 chubby squirrels

      • affenlehrer@feddit.org
        link
        fedilink
        arrow-up
        17
        ·
        3 days ago

        Ah, very cool. Maybe I’ll visit again once the current presidency ends. If that’s ever going to be the case.

    • blackn1ght@feddit.uk
      link
      fedilink
      arrow-up
      10
      ·
      3 days ago

      We have grey squirrels in the UK, although they’re not native. They’re responsible for the decline in native red squirrels, you rarely see them now unless you go to particular areas.

      • Eq0@literature.cafe
        link
        fedilink
        arrow-up
        4
        ·
        3 days ago

        Not only UK. As far as I know the same problem is spreading around all of mainland Europe. US squirrels have a better immune system and a more varied diet, they are also more aggressive and territorial. They are slowly replacing indigenous red squirrels.

        • Ugh@sh.itjust.works
          link
          fedilink
          arrow-up
          2
          ·
          edit-2
          2 days ago

          Dammit. :( Us humans are so talented at selfishly fucking over indigenous populations and animals in general. Ugh.

          • Eq0@literature.cafe
            link
            fedilink
            arrow-up
            1
            ·
            2 days ago

            In this case, it was just randomness. Some grey squirrels got randomly transported with cargo between North America and Europe and they found a good spot. There was no human intent behind it… (does it make it better?)

    • klay1@lemmy.world
      link
      fedilink
      arrow-up
      2
      ·
      2 days ago

      and the german ones are really skittish too.

      Those i saw on the canadian campus just lay next to the side walk, chilling. Fat and grey

    • CatDogL0ver@lemmy.world
      link
      fedilink
      arrow-up
      2
      ·
      3 days ago

      American squirrels can be aggressive. I was eating an apple one day and I kid you not, a squirrel jumped at me and took it from my hand.