One of the biggest surprises when I arrived at Vanderbilt University was the squirrels. Their uniqueness ranges from their behavior to the large number of them on campus, with a 3:1 squirrel-to-student ratio. It’s not that I’m unfamiliar with the critters — back home in Seattle, they’re everywhere — but Washington’s squirrels are distant, spending most of their time hiding in trees. The worst complaint I’d heard about them before moving to Nashville was my dad’s theory that they ate all his tomatoes in the middle of the night.
Vanderbilt’s squirrels, however, are an entirely different breed. Everyone on campus has a squirrel story. Whether you find them adorable or a bit of a nuisance, we can all agree they’re a quirky part of Vanderbilt’s culture.
The campus squirrels’ love for human food sets them apart. If you wander around campus, you’ll likely spot one enjoying a slice of pizza or rummaging through the trash for leftovers. Don’t worry, though — you’ll still catch them munching on an acorn every now and then.
What’s even more remarkable is how comfortable these squirrels are with people. They don’t dart away when someone approaches; instead, they often linger or even inch closer. Their trust in Vanderbilt students and visitors is so strong that some might even let you pet them or pick them up. Sure, they’re probably hoping for a snack, but these squirrels almost feel like unofficial campus pets. Vanderbilt even used to have a Squirrel Whisperer on campus, Garfield Zhang.
And you’re never far from a squirrel sighting, thanks to Vanderbilt’s impressive 3:1 squirrel-to-student ratio. I was skeptical of that statistic at first, but a stroll across campus quickly convinced me. It’s rare not to spot a squirrel climbing a tree or scurrying along the path beside you.
In a way, Vanderbilt squirrels are like Nashville tourists on Broadway: there are a lot of them, they’re unusually comfortable around crowds and they’ll eat just about anything. It’s a lot more entertaining than the cold and distant squirrels that might (or might not) be raiding your garden back home. With all these squirrels, you’re never really alone on campus — and at least you know not all your leftovers go to waste. So whether you love them, hate them or fear them, Vanderbilt’s squirrels offer a unique sense of comfort and community within our university.
