Otters and Science News: SQUIRREL'S REVENGE - Anti-squirrel Chicago alderman suffers fractured skull and broken nose when kamikaze squirrel attacks his bike causing him to fall off and end up in hospital - He will need months of surgery and treatment as a result.

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'Suicide bomber' squirrel leaves politician with a fractured skull and broken nose after 'revenge' attack - one month after he called for a crackdown on 'aggressive' rodents

One of those strange life coincidences that may reflect divine justice, or karma, or just plain animal revenge:

Chicago Alderman Howard Brookins attacked by a squirrel

* Alderman Howard Brookins Jr (right), who represents Chicago's 21st ward, was biking on a trail earlier this month when a squirrel jumped it front of him and got caught in the spokes of his front wheel, sending him flying over the handle bars.

* The incident seemed like a rather violent coincidence, as Brookins had just a month prior raged against the city's 'aggressive' squirrels during a city council meeting, lambasting them for eating their way through Chicago's trash cans.

* The squirrel, whom Brookins compared to a kamikaze and a 'suicide bomber, getting revenge', didn't survive the apparent attack and died in the councilman's front wheel. It is pictured left after the incident, still lodged in Brookins' bike.

* Brookins got out of the hospital Thursday but will need several months and additional surgeries to recover fully. He said in a Facebook post (inset) Sunday that his injuries would keep him out of office for a while.

Continue reading this and FUN FACTS about squirrels and see pictures of cute squirrels. And watch VIDEO of how a squirrel got to be a man's best friend

The squirrel's attack was silent and caught Brookins completely unaware, he said.

"Some lady came along the trail and found me lying there next to my bicycle and called 911," he said. "I only saw the squirrel when I came to and saw it stuck in the wheel."

Brookins in October railed against supersized squirrels who he said were munching through city garbage cans, calling for a crackdown.

But any follow-up action he plans to take will have to wait. His recovery means he will be unable to attend events for some time, he said.

He added Monday that the incident probably was the closest he has ever come to death and that he is thankful because "I could have broken my neck."

If any squirrels visit his home in the coming weeks, he said, "I'm calling animal control!"

Sources
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3960792/Chicago-Alderman-Howard-Brookins-attacked-squirrel.html

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/chicagoinc/ct-brookins-squirrels-1122-chicago-inc-20161121-story.html

IT'S ALL IN HOW YOU TREAT THEM:

VIDEO - SQUIRREL IS THIS MAN'S BEST FRIEND

after he saved the animal's life

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LYjO5grnutU

FUN FACTS ABOUT SQUIRRELS

Squirrels are amazing creatures, they can leap 10 times their body length and turn their ankles 180 degrees to face any direction when climbing. They have superb vision, and they learn by quickly copying other animals.

They are not shy of coming out in the daytime, making them one of the rare wild mammals that many of us actually see. Whether you think they’re a nuisance, or a lovely sight, check out some amazing squirrel facts!

In Greek, the word ‘squirrel’ means ‘shadow tail’.
The most iconic behavior of squirrels is storing nuts and acorns for winter. Which is necessary for the species of squirrel that don’t hibernate.
The hind legs of squirrels are double-jointed, which gives them the ability to run up and down trees very quickly.
A male squirrel can actually smell a female in heat, from up to a mile away.
Mating season for squirrels is from February to May, with a 44-day gestation period. Generally, two to four young are born per litter.
Squirrels have 4 toes on their front feet, which are extremely sharp and used for gripping tree bark whilst climbing. They also have 5 toes on their back feet.
In addition to residing in the Eastern US, Eastern Gray Squirrels can be found in many Western states, United Kingdom, Ireland and South Africa.
With 285 species of squirrels, they can be found in every continent except Antarctica and Australia.
Squirrels can eat their own body weight every week, which is roughly 1.5 pounds.
Squirrels can fall from 30 metres high, without hurting themselves.
When jumping, or falling, they use their tail both for balance and as a parachute!
An arctic ground squirrel (a species of ground squirrel native to the Arctic.) is the only warm-blooded mammal able to withstand body temperatures below freezing whilst hibernating.
Squirrels eyes are positioned in a way which allows them to see behind them.
Back in 2007, Iran claimed 14 squirrels found near the nation’s borders were actually spies from Israel.
Squirrels are clever creatures and can learn to navigate numerous obstacles to find the most efficient route to food, they’re also rather good at finding shortcuts.
Squirrels can jump a distance of up to 20 feet. They have long, muscular hind legs and short front legs that work together to aid in leaping.
In the 2005 remake of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, for the squirrel scene, the squirrels were not CGI, but were actually real life and were professionally trained by The Nut Room Animal trainer Michael Alexander and his team who spent 19 weeks training these squirrels for this one scene.
In 1963, the city of Longview, Washington, has a bridge named Nutty Narrows. The 18 metre (60 ft) long bridge has turned the town into the squirrel-lovers’ capital of America. Longview now holds an annual Squirrel Fest in August every year.
Squirrels have been proven to run at speeds of 20 miles per hour, however generally, most squirrels run half this.