Brevard, North Carolina is known for many things. It’s a mountain biker’s paradise with over 300 miles of biking trails throughout the forests in Transylvania County. It’s also right in the middle of the Land of Waterfalls. But not many people new to Brevard would ever guess it is also the white squirrel capital of the world.
The city of just under 8,000 residents actually set up a squirrel sanctuary to protect it’s most unique residents…
Google/Mike D
The cute little white squirrels that fill the parks and city with so much joy.
Beth Myer / EyeEm Collection via Getty Images One might think a white squirrel must be some sort of albino. And while albino squirrels DO exist, the squirrels in Brevard lack the pinkish red eyes attributed to true albino squirrels. The squirrels here have dark eyes - and that’s not all.
The Brevard squirrels are actually an evolved — or mutated-gene — version of the Eastern Gray Squirrel.
Flickr / -ted Most of them are marked with some patch of gray on top of the head and many have a narrow little gray line down the back.
It’s estimated that Brevard’s total squirrel population (both gray and white) is anywhere from 3,000-5,000 squirrels.
Andrew Heke / EyeEm Collection via Getty Images Further, it’s thought that approximately one-third of the total population has the mutated gene making it part of the evolved white squirrel pack.
If you’re wondering when they first arrived in town, the official story is 1949.
mtshots / iStock / Getty Images Plus That was the year a carnival passed through town and its two white squirrels escaped. They ended up with a local resident who kept them in captivity and tried his best to get them to breed, but with no luck. Eventually, they were both back out in the wild and that’s when they finally started to breed. And the rest is history!
If you’re thinking about exploring Brevard and celebrating the white squirrels, then you won’t find a better squirrel festival anywhere (seriously) than Brevard’s annual White Squirrel Weekend festival.
Facebook/Heart of Brevard
The two-and-a-half day weekend event usually takes place in late May or early June.
Facebook/Heart of Brevard Learn more about this year’s festival here.
Did you know North Carolina is home to the white squirrel capital of the world? Ever been to Brevard – and if you have, did you see a white squirrel?? Share your photos in the comments, or post them to our North Carolina Nature Lovers group. We’d love to see them!
Google/Mike D
Beth Myer / EyeEm Collection via Getty Images
One might think a white squirrel must be some sort of albino. And while albino squirrels DO exist, the squirrels in Brevard lack the pinkish red eyes attributed to true albino squirrels. The squirrels here have dark eyes - and that’s not all.
Flickr / -ted
Most of them are marked with some patch of gray on top of the head and many have a narrow little gray line down the back.
Andrew Heke / EyeEm Collection via Getty Images
Further, it’s thought that approximately one-third of the total population has the mutated gene making it part of the evolved white squirrel pack.
mtshots / iStock / Getty Images Plus
That was the year a carnival passed through town and its two white squirrels escaped. They ended up with a local resident who kept them in captivity and tried his best to get them to breed, but with no luck. Eventually, they were both back out in the wild and that’s when they finally started to breed. And the rest is history!
Facebook/Heart of Brevard
Learn more about this year’s festival here.
While you’re in Brevard scoping out the white squirrels or checking out the White Squirrel Weekend, set aside some time to hit up one of the many many waterfalls in North Carolina’s Land of Waterfalls, too!
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Address: Brevard, NC, USA
