Community Corner

Watch: Man Captures 'Pole Dancing' Squirrel In East Bay Backyard

"Gotta work to get the treats," one person commented in the video uploaded to Nextdoor.

A squirrel climbs a pole to get food from a feeder.
A squirrel climbs a pole to get food from a feeder. (Screenshot of video by Scott Gottesman)

OAKLAND, CA — Squirrels in the Bay Area appear to be a different breed.

Researchers in 2024 found squirrels in East Bay Parks had started munching on rodents for food. Then, one very aggressive squirrel made headlines last year when it attacked and hospitalized two people in the Bay Area.

Now, another Bay Area squirrel is getting some attention, this time on the popular app Nextdoor, where Oakland resident Scott Gottesman captured the bushy-tailed animal putting in some extra work for food.

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The video, which has amassed hundreds of likes on Nextdoor since being posted last week, shows a squirrel in Gottesman's backyard grabbing a pole with one hand while reaching for food from a feeder with the other.

The squirrel then works its way down the pole smoothly before jumping off-screen.

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"That's some advanced pole dancing," one viewer commented on the video. "Nothing like a little squirrel pole dancer!" another said. "Gotta work to get the treats! Cute."

Others said the squirrel should audition for Cirque du Soleil, while others nicknamed it "Cirque du Squirrelai."

Watch the video below:

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