What to Know & Where to Find White Squirrels
You don’t have to spend much time in Brevard before you catch sight of the four paws and fluffy white tail of Transylvania County’s most beloved local mascot, the white squirrel. From shops on Main Street with countless souvenirs to the official White Squirrel Institute to the actual critters themselves, scampering across lawns and into the tree branches surrounding Brevard, white squirrels are everywhere.
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WHY ARE SQUIRRELS WHITE IN BREVARD?
The story of how white squirrels came to reside in Transylvania County has a whiff of legend about it. A longstanding theory has it that a carnival animal truck in Florida overturned in the 1940s, “freeing” a pair of white squirrels. The squirrels were corralled by a gentleman who gifted them to a friend in Brevard, who in turn gave them to his niece. Over time, one of the squirrels escaped, and the other was set free. The rest is (extremely cute) history.
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THE WHITE SQUIRRELS ARE NOT ALBINOS
Brevard’s white squirrels are not albinos; in fact, they’re actually a color variation within the same species as the common gray squirrel. The White Squirrel Institute supports programs that keep track of the local population with an annual count, as well as rescue and rehabilitation. Their popular Adopt-A-Squirrel Program allows humans to support their cause with a donation.
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MEET A CELEBRITY WHITE SQUIRREL
White squirrels are local celebrities in Brevard, and each year, a rescue squirrel selected by the White Squirrel Institute takes on the role of furry forecaster. The star of the season makes special appearances at events, most notably on White Squirrel Day, Transylvania County’s unique twist on Groundhog Day, predicting both the arrival of spring and the winner of the Super Bowl.
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WHERE TO FIND WHITE SQUIRRELS IN BREVARD
Squirrel fans will be delighted by the number of local products, shops, and services paying homage to the animals. Catching sight of an actual white squirrel in the wild requires a little patience and a lot of serendipity. White Squirrels can be seen throughout Brevard. Both Silvermont and Franklin Park are home to a fair number of the fluffy-tailed, but squirrel-spotters cite the Brevard College campus as one of the most reliable sighting locations. Specifically, we suggest you park at Boshamer Gymnasium and walk along nearby King Creek, just to the south of the gym.
