If you are planning on heading into the woods to enjoy the sights and sounds of winter, keep an eye out as a Minnesota mammal is currently in its rut. Now this isn't one of Minnesota's larger mammals like a deer or a coyote, but it's one that you've probably seen and never given a second glance. Well, why should you be concerned if it's so small? It's more about keeping small pets and kids safe versus you or me.

A lot of mammals are quite busy year-round in Minnesota, even though we are just starting winter officially, one mammal is already thinking ahead to next year. No, it's not quite time for the scariest sounds of the night with the fox-mating season, but I bet your kids were just as excited to see this mammal.

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Believe it or not, it's time for the gray squirrel here in Minnesota to start its rut, and while they aren't going to do a lot of damage to you or me, they could cause some injuries for young kids and small pets. According to the Minnesota DNR, "Gray squirrels mate twice a year, typically from December to February and /or June through August."

While it's uncommon for a squirrel to attack a human, they are wild animals and when they become preoccupied with making more squirrels they may be more territorial than normal.

According to Orkin, "Squirrels are known to carry numerous diseases, though only a few are dangerous to humans. Some of the more common include tularemia, typhus, plague, and ringworm. Such diseases are transmitted through bites or other forms of direct contact with infected squirrels."

So...

Do you have to worry about squirrels?

Most likely not, but at least now you know why they go crazy this time of year, I always thought it was because they were enjoying the snow.