---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: The red squirrel is more common and less…"
description: "\"The red squirrel is more common and less dignified than the gray, and oftener guilty of petty larceny about the barns and grain-fields.\" — John Burroughs"
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/428/john-burroughs-1157_animal_the-red-squirrel-is-more-common-and-less_777861.png"
---

#  The red squirrel is more common and less dignified than…

![“The red squirrel is more common and less dignified than the gray, and oftener guilty of petty larceny about the barns and grain-fields.” quote by John Burroughs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/428/john-burroughs-1157_animal_the-red-squirrel-is-more-common-and-less_777861.png)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/428/john-burroughs-1157_animal_the-red-squirrel-is-more-common-and-less_777861.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/428/john-burroughs-1157_animal_the-red-squirrel-is-more-common-and-less_777861.png)

> “The red squirrel is more common and less dignified than the gray, and oftener guilty of petty larceny about the barns and grain-fields.”

[John Burroughs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-burroughs/)

## About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

Red squirrels are abundant and less noble, often stealing grain, unlike the more dignified gray squirrels.

**In simple terms:** Red squirrels are common thieves.

Key Takeaway

Observe wildlife behavior.

Themes

nature animal behavior ethics

Mood

observational analytical

Type

naturalistic educational

When to use this quote

- farm management
- wildlife education
- conservation policy
- agricultural planning

Key Concepts

ecology human‑animal analogy

Questions to Reflect On

- What can animal habits teach us?
- How do we balance pest control with empathy?

A Different Perspective

Anthropomorphizing may mislead scientific understanding.

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