I've been photographing Ezo squirrels for nearly 10 years,
but this was the first time I was able to witness the moment a mother moves her baby.
I was deeply moved.

Photo courtesy of @_emiriku_

It's the sight of a mother squirrel carrying her child in her mouth! The determined look on the parent and child's faces has garnered over 30,000 likes, with comments like, "Go mom!" and "Wow, her mouth is so full!"

A Precious Moment! A Mother Squirrel Carrying Her Baby

The photo was posted by Eiji, who enjoys photographing Hokkaido's wildlife and landscapes as a hobby. The picture shows a baby Ezo squirrel born this year (photographed in late April). This "moving day" scene is such a rare moment that even Eiji, who has been photographing Ezo squirrels for 10 years, encountered it for the first time.

A Life-Risking Move and Its Surprising Reasons

Every year from around April to July, Ezo squirrels move their nests several times. This "move" has important reasons, such as protecting themselves from predators like crows and foxes, and safeguarding their children's health from fleas and ticks that infest old nests.

To raise her young in a safe environment, the mother squirrel carries her baby in her mouth and dashes to the new nest at full speed. Male Ezo squirrels do not participate in raising the young, so the mother undertakes this life-risking move all by herself.

A grown-up baby squirrel

"I was even moved by the strong and loving mother," says Eiji. It was a single photo that captured the deep affection packed into her small body.