White squirrels are quite rare, but if you’re lucky, you may have seen one in your lifetime at Trinity Bellwoods Park where they have notoriously been spotted, or Exeter, Ont., which has become known as the province’s white squirrel capital.
But a recent video shared online shows another one of these beautiful creatures — that happened to be nowhere near Queen St. W. (or in a town in South Huron).
“A very unusual squirrel spotted in Midtown Toronto,” Adel Gaynutdinov captioned a clip that was posted on Nextdoor.ca.
Gaynutdinov told the Sun that he was walking near Allen Rd. and Roselawn Ave. when he spotted it in front of a residential building at 360 Ridelle Ave.
The daring creature didn’t appear frightened by Gaynutdinov and approached him fairly confidently as the man tried to get the squirrel to come closer to film it — which it did.
Commenters were, unsurprisingly, in awe of the unique animal, calling it everything from “cute” to “beautiful.”
One person marveled at the rarity of the “albino” squirrel,” however another user pointed out that because the animal didn’t have pink eyes, it was actually a “leucistic” squirrel.
Whatever they are, not only have the white squirrels been seen around Toronto but black-and-white skunk-like ones are also around, though similarly, the sightings are rare.
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One person commented on this white squirrel’s fearlessness, noting, “Looks like this squirrel has had many admirers , considering how he came right up… maybe expecting food. Though unusual and even beautiful, he should be careful as he stands out among predators AND is too trusting.”
Gaynutdinov was simply grateful to have seen it.
“I just got lucky to encounter that beauty.”