Squirrels are commonly found across much of North America, with five major species making their homes across the continent, according to WorldAtlas. Like many other rodents, squirrels aren't picky about what they eat: They like to chomp down on foods ranging from nuts and seeds to fruits and veggies (via AZ Animals).
And, of course, they like to chew power lines. Though to humans, it may seem obvious that power lines aren't a good place to look for a quick meal, squirrels may find themselves near power lines for various reasons (via dataVoice International). For one, power lines can provide squirrels a quick and easy way to scurry between two trees, without having to climb all the way down to the ground. While they're on these lines, they might find themselves curious as to what is really going on with the cable, as KQED notes. Squirrels are inquisitive creatures and may try to chew through power lines in search of nesting material or food.
Other experts have pointed out that squirrels might also gnaw the lines to sharpen their teeth. Whatever the motivation of any particular animal, squirrels do a lot of damage to the U.S. electrical grid. While electrical power can be affected by various things, including ice, storms, and fallen power lines, it seems squirrels were still the chief cause of all power outages in 2020.
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