Hard Hitting Documentary

Simon Wyndham · August 22nd, 2006, 03:53 PM

Well, another problem with the greys is that they also brought new diseases with them that also affect other species of the native wildlife over here.

Not only that, but they are a pest.

Steve House · August 23rd, 2006, 06:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Simon Wyndham

Well, another problem with the greys is that they also brought new diseases with them that also affect other species of the native wildlife over here.

Not only that, but they are a pest.

That's just what I'm talking about so I gotta ask, why is a Grey squirrel a pest and a Red squirrel not? They both occupy the same environmental niche and AFAIK do pretty much the same squirrely things - so what is the difference besides cosmetics and regional pride?

Daniel J. Wojcik · August 23rd, 2006, 06:16 AM

Also, from what I've read, they didn't bring "new" diseases with them. It's just that the normal squirrel diseases don't kill them as easily as they kill the red ones, so rather than decently dying, they are spreading the pox around and the reds are taking it on the chin.

Simon Wyndham · August 23rd, 2006, 06:22 AM

Well, I like squirrels to have a bit of colour in them. British weather is grey enough as it is without the wildlife taking on the same tones!

Ben Scott · August 23rd, 2006, 06:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Steve House

That's just what I'm talking about so I gotta ask, why is a Grey squirrel a pest and a Red squirrel not? They both occupy the same environmental niche and AFAIK do pretty much the same squirrely things - so what is the difference besides cosmetics and regional pride?

Again, that's like judging their right to survive by determining their value to us. I think that's kinda the wrong way to look at it.

Because of our actions in introducing the grey to these shores, an indiginous species will become extinct. We really shouldn't let that happen.

Wow. I never in my life thought I'd have an argument about squirrels. lol

Ben
PS. Greys smoke crack and mug old ladies in parks.

Steve House · August 23rd, 2006, 10:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ben Scott

Again, that's like judging their right to survive by determining their value to us. I think that's kinda the wrong way to look at it.

...

Actually thats what I think I think the "anti-greys" are doing, saying "We prefer Reds so we'll combat the greys" rather than saying "reds, greys - let nature take its course"

Simon Wyndham · August 23rd, 2006, 10:45 AM

But it isn't nature taking its course. Its someone artificially introducing the greys.

The grey isn't supposed to be here. We've got enough American culture over here as it is. At least let us keep our damn squirrels!

Kevin Richard · August 23rd, 2006, 12:25 PM

Yeah, that is the end all to this... it's artificial... as a scientist you should understand that and be against it. If it was natures way then I would be on your side 100% but this isn't nature this is man screwing nature up.

Ben Scott · August 23rd, 2006, 01:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Steve House

Actually thats what I think I think the "anti-greys" are doing, saying "We prefer Reds so we'll combat the greys" rather than saying "reds, greys - let nature take its course"

But the fact the greys are there at all is nothing to do with nature.

Unless the greys learned to swim the atlantic on their own....

K. Forman · August 23rd, 2006, 01:35 PM

Where do you think Thor Hiedahl got the idea for the Kon Tiki? It was the great Grey Squirrel migration, using tiny rafts made of reeds...

Daniel J. Wojcik · August 24th, 2006, 01:31 AM

The greys escaped from the London Zoo. Oops.

On the other hand, some idiot brought starlings to the 'States on purpose.

George Ellis · August 24th, 2006, 03:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Daniel J. Wojcik

The greys escaped from the London Zoo. Oops.

On the other hand, some idiot brought starlings to the 'States on purpose.

And English Sparrows.

Edit - Hey, that means we still owe them one more... ;)

Daniel J. Wojcik · August 24th, 2006, 06:00 AM

Gila Monsters

And, who knows, maybe they'd take care of the squirrel problem. :^)

Ben Scott · August 24th, 2006, 10:14 AM

What are the English sparrows doing?

They don't really do anything at all over here. Maybe they're emboldened by living it up in the land of the free.

August 23rd, 2006, 01:35 PM	#40
K. Forman Capt. Quirk Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Middle of the woods in Georgia Posts: 3,596	Where do you think Thor Hiedahl got the idea for the Kon Tiki? It was the great Grey Squirrel migration, using tiny rafts made of reeds... __________________ www.SmokeWagonLeather.us

August 22nd, 2006, 03:53 PM	#31
Simon Wyndham Trustee Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Malvern UK Posts: 1,931	Well, another problem with the greys is that they also brought new diseases with them that also affect other species of the native wildlife over here. Not only that, but they are a pest.

August 23rd, 2006, 06:16 AM	#33
Daniel J. Wojcik Regular Crew Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Kempner, Texas Posts: 70	Also, from what I've read, they didn't bring "new" diseases with them. It's just that the normal squirrel diseases don't kill them as easily as they kill the red ones, so rather than decently dying, they are spreading the pox around and the reds are taking it on the chin.

August 23rd, 2006, 06:22 AM	#34
Simon Wyndham Trustee Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Malvern UK Posts: 1,931	Well, I like squirrels to have a bit of colour in them. British weather is grey enough as it is without the wildlife taking on the same tones!

August 23rd, 2006, 10:45 AM	#37
Simon Wyndham Trustee Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Malvern UK Posts: 1,931	But it isn't nature taking its course. Its someone artificially introducing the greys. The grey isn't supposed to be here. We've got enough American culture over here as it is. At least let us keep our damn squirrels!

August 23rd, 2006, 12:25 PM	#38
Kevin Richard Major Player Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Lafayette, LA Posts: 270	Yeah, that is the end all to this... it's artificial... as a scientist you should understand that and be against it. If it was natures way then I would be on your side 100% but this isn't nature this is man screwing nature up.

August 24th, 2006, 01:31 AM	#41
Daniel J. Wojcik Regular Crew Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Kempner, Texas Posts: 70	The greys escaped from the London Zoo. Oops. On the other hand, some idiot brought starlings to the 'States on purpose.

August 24th, 2006, 06:00 AM	#43
Daniel J. Wojcik Regular Crew Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Kempner, Texas Posts: 70	Gila Monsters And, who knows, maybe they'd take care of the squirrel problem. :^)

August 24th, 2006, 10:14 AM	#44
Ben Scott Regular Crew Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: London Posts: 30	What are the English sparrows doing? They don't really do anything at all over here. Maybe they're emboldened by living it up in the land of the free.