Are Black Squirrels Good Luck?

Black squirrels are a rare and intriguing sight with their all-black fur coats. If you’ve spotted one of these unique creatures, you may have wondered, are black squirrels good luck? Keep reading to uncover the interesting myths and facts around black squirrels and luck.

If you’re short on time, here’s a quick answer: There are many regional superstitions that consider black squirrels to bring either good or bad luck. However, there is no definitive scientific evidence to support squirrels of any color actually affecting a person’s fortune in a tangible way.

What Causes Black Squirrels?

Melanism

Black squirrels occur due to a genetic condition called melanism, which causes an over-production of melanin or dark pigmentation in the skin and fur. This is the same condition that results in black leopards, black jaguars, and other melanistic animals.

Just like their normally colored counterparts, black squirrels belong to the eastern gray squirrel species (Sciurus carolinensis). The color variation simply comes down to genetics.

Melanistic gray squirrels carry two copies of a recessive gene variant for melanism, which overrides the regular pigmentation patterns and results in a surplus of black or very dark brown fur. When a melanistic squirrel mates with a normally colored gray squirrel, their offspring have a 50/50 chance of inheriting one copy of the melanism gene and exhibiting normal coloration.

To produce melanistic baby squirrels, two melanistic parents must mate.

While quite rare over most of their range, melanistic eastern gray squirrels are actually very common in certain areas, especially cities like Toronto and Kent in the United Kingdom. Here, up to half the squirrel population may have black fur.

The high concentration likely stems from a few original melanistic immigrants mating and passing down the melanism genes over successive generations.

The Eastern Gray Squirrel Gene Pool

The eastern gray squirrel has an exceptionally diverse gene pool when it comes to fur color. Within one litter, baby squirrels can display a spectrum of gray, brown and black shades. Some squirrels also have white patches or highlighting on their tails or elsewhere on their bodies.

Genetic research has identified that eastern gray squirrels carry two color gene variants. There is a gray allele (a version of a gene) and a black allele. Squirrels inherit one allele from each parent. The gray allele is dominant over the black allele.

• Squirrels with two gray alleles (one from each parent) have normal gray fur.
• Squirrels with one gray and one black allele have salt-and-pepper fur, mixing black and white hairs with gray.
• Squirrels with two black alleles (one from each parent) have solid black “melanistic” fur.

The melanistic alleles also produce darker eye color and darker claws, nose, and paw pads.

Thanks to genetic diversity, eastern gray squirrels exhibit a fascinating array of different fur colors across their range. Yet no matter their shade, they are the same squirrel species at heart. The color variety simply makes them more interesting to observe and study!

Regional Superstitions About Black Squirrels

Good Luck Omens

In certain parts of the world, black squirrels are considered good luck! This superstition originated in the Midwestern United States and parts of Canada, where all-black squirrels are less common than the typical gray variety. Some key beliefs about black squirrels bringing good fortune include:

• Seeing a black squirrel on your wedding day is believed to bring a happy and prosperous marriage.
• Spotting a black squirrel before an important event like a big test, job interview, or sports game is thought to be an omen of success.
• If a black squirrel approaches you or crosses your path, it may signal impending wealth and riches coming your way.

These regional superstitions likely arose because of the black squirrel’s relative rarity compared to gray squirrels in areas like Ohio, Michigan, Wisconsin, and Ontario. Their striking black fur made them stand out, causing people to see them as special and attribute mystical meaning to them.

Bad Luck Omens

However, in other parts of the world, black squirrels are considered bad omens or even harbingers of evil and death!

• In Europe during the Middle Ages, black squirrels were seen as demonic or evil creatures in disguise.
• Some Native American tribes believed spotting a black squirrel signaled impending danger or death.
• In the rural United Kingdom, legends link black squirrels to bad harvests, storms, and even the plague.

These associations of black squirrels with misfortune may have arisen from beliefs that black animals were evil or possessed. Additionally, black squirrels’ rarity in some regions likely contributed to myths and superstitions around them as odd or sinister creatures.

So while black squirrels are viewed as lucky charms in some areas, in others they are feared as bearers of doom and gloom. Whether you see them as good or bad, though, one thing is for sure – black squirrels capture our fascination wherever they scamper!

Black Squirrels in Culture and History

Native American Folklore

Black squirrels have played an interesting role in Native American folklore and mythology. In some traditions, they are seen as a sign of good luck and prosperity. This is because their dark fur color is associated with the rich, fertile soil that supports plant growth.

Spotting a black squirrel before an important event or journey is thought to be an omen of success.

For example, in the mythology of some Northeastern tribes, the black squirrel is a shape-shifting trickster spirit. The stories say that the black squirrel has the power to bless hunters and gatherers with bountiful game and crops.

Tribal elders would keep an eye out for these unique squirrels when planning important community activities. Their presence was a sign that the spirits looked favorably on the event.

However, in some tribes the black squirrel is seen as a more ominous figure. Their unpredictable movements and alarmed chatter is associated with alarming news or a coming struggle. Yet even in these traditions, they are seen as messengers from the spirit world – their unusual color is a call to be aware and prepared.

Black Squirrels as Town Mascots

Today black squirrels are beloved civic mascots for many North American towns. Their distinctive appearance and hardy nature make them a point of local pride. For example, Kent State University in Ohio has named the black squirrel as their unofficial mascot.

The community celebrates “Black Squirrel Fest” each year on campus.

Other towns with black squirrel mascots are Marysville, Kansas; Olney, Illinois; Battle Creek, Michigan; and Hibbing Minnesota. Communities compete with tongue-in-cheek boasts about having the largest black squirrel population. Olney even has a 12 foot tall black squirrel statue in the downtown area!

Town gift shops often carry black squirrel plush toys or t-shirts.

Conservation programs work to sustain healthy black squirrel communities. For example, the University of Kansas helps feed and shelter black squirrels on campus during harsh winters. The squirrels bring a sense of campus history and community identity.

Their presence is now intertwined with the traditions of the college.

The Reality: No Tangible Luck Impact

When it comes to luck and superstitions, the reality is that there is no tangible evidence that seeing a black squirrel has any actual impact on a person’s fortune or misfortune. However, that doesn’t stop people from believing that crossing paths with these unique squirrels may bring them good or bad luck.

Black squirrels are simply a color variant of the eastern gray squirrel found commonly throughout North America. Their dark fur is the result of increased melanin pigment. While rare in many areas, black squirrels are actually quite common in certain regions of the Midwest and Canada where they represent roughly 25% of the squirrel population.

There are a few folklore tales attributing special meaning to black squirrels, but no scientific studies have shown any correlation between seeing them and experiencing increased positivity or negativity in life events. Most experts chalk up black squirrel mythology to superstition alone.

“There is no evidence to suggest black squirrels impact an individual’s fortune one way or another,” says Dr. Richard Wiseman, psychologist and author of many popular books on luck and randomness. “Belief in luck is a powerful thing, but in reality a squirrel’s coat color does not alter probability or outcomes in someone’s life.”

Several university studies tracking hundreds of students over months found zero measurable difference in overall luck, grades, relationships or finances whether or not someone reported seeing black squirrels frequently.

“Black squirrels are delightful to watch playing and scurrying about,” says Sofia Jones, campus naturalist. “But they represent nature’s diversity not any supernatural force affecting luck or karma.”

So while seeing a jet black squirrel may inspire feelings of wonder or auspiciousness, the reality is it has no more power over one’s fortune than spotting a light gray or reddish-hued squirrel.

Ultimately most biologists and statisticians agree – a squirrel’s color says little about one’s probability of landing their dream job, finding true love or having a spectacular day. Believing otherwise is likely just an enjoyable superstition, not an actual fortune-altering phenomenon.

Conclusion

While folklore has bestowed a variety of mystical meanings onto black squirrels, there is no hard evidence they actually influence luck or fortune. Still, spotting one of these rare black beauties can certainly brighten your day! Their unique coats and playful personalities never fail to delight.