Ohio residents are buzzing about a strange critter dubbed the “squnk,” which looks like a mix between a squirrel and a skunk. Recent sightings and viral photos sparked speculation about its origins. However, it’s not a hybrid—it’s a black squirrel, a rare sight.
These squirrels, resulting from breeding between eastern gray and fox squirrels, boast a unique gene variant for dark fur.
Black squirrels, only one in every 10,000, gain a thermal advantage in colder climates. Kent State University even adopted them as unofficial mascots after releasing 10 on campus in 1961. So, if you spot a “squnk” in Ohio, fear not—it’s just a black squirrel with skunk-like tail fur, harmless and fascinating.
