Black squirrels are popping up in more places in Michigan, and residents are surprised by their unique color, some even mistaking them for rats, according to USA Today. The black squirrel is actually not a different species of squirrel. It is simply a color variation in the common Eastern gray squirrel that most people in the U.S. are accustomed to.
They are mostly found in Northern states, like Michigan, but even then they have certain areas where they tend to congregate, according to the Detroit Free Press. Problems occur when the rodents move from where they are familiar, as they are doing now - making their way into southeast Michigan.
When unfamiliar, people are so shocked upon its discovery that many often mistake them for rats with fluffy tails or another animal altogether.
"Black squirrels were not very common except for in certain locations," said Tim Payne, wildlife supervisor for the Department of Natural Resources. "Now, as I travel about... I see them in scattered areas."
So why do the squirrels have such a stylish deviation in color?
The answer lies in adaptation. Animal experts believe that the fur helps them retain heat, helping them survive the harsh Michigan winters, according to Patch.
