Squirrels leap across ladders to get to food on obstacle course built by bored husband in lockdown

Spring for your supper! Squirrels leap across ladders, ropes and planks to get to food on nutty obstacle course built by bored husband in lockdown

  • A man in Lincoln, Nebraska, began a DIY project during the Covid-19 lockdown
  • Result was backyard obstacle course for squirrels to perform acrobatics for food
  • Footage was filmed of squirrels completing the course to feast on nuts and seeds

A bored husband in Lincoln, Nebraska found himself with a little more time on his hands during the Covid-19 lockdown.

He first began giving food to the squirrels in his backyard and was inspired to start a DIY project to make feeding time a little more entertaining.

The result was a nutty backyard obstacle course built for squirrels who must perform acrobatics in order to get the nuts and seeds laid out for them.

A man in Lincoln, Nebraska, made a DIY obstacle course for squirrels during lockdown complete with ladders, a rope bridge and feeding jars

The spectacular obstacle course is made up of poles, ladders, planks and a rope bridge along with buckets, jars and a mesh ‘nut ball’ bag stuffed with food.

In video footage recorded on the family’s back door security camera, squirrels are seen running across a rope bridge and hanging upside down to nibble at peanuts in an orange bucket.

One lucky squirrel has found its way into the main feeding jar, named the Crystal Palace, and is feasting on the nuts and seeds inside.  

His wife, Rebecca Barker explained the set-up, saying: ‘During the COVID shut down, my husband starting feeding the squirrels and got the idea to make it a little more difficult for them to get the food, by creating an obstacle course

Squirrels have to perform acrobatics in order to feast on seeds and nuts and their feeding time has provided months of entertainment for the family. Pictured: A squirrel hangs upside down to nibble at peanuts in an orange bucket

Squirrels have to perform acrobatics in order to feast on seeds and nuts and their feeding time has provided months of entertainment for the family. Pictured: A squirrel hangs upside down to nibble at peanuts in an orange bucket

‘It grew from a couple of poles with a rope strung between them to various orbs, planks, and ladders they have to navigate through to get to peanuts and other seeds. 

‘The final component was the jar feeder we named, The Crystal Palace. 

‘The bucket in the center has peanuts in the shell. There’s a mesh bag with a ‘nut ball’ suspended and a tray with a mix of nuts especially mixed for squirrels. 

‘In addition, a chair with an ear of corn and a bungee cord with corn on it. There’s also a small watering hole connected to the railing.’

The video shows a couple of squirrels on the course, which is unusual as squirrels they are quite territorial, and chase other squirrels away. Pictured: A North American red squirrel

The video shows a couple of squirrels on the course, which is unusual as squirrels they are quite territorial, and chase other squirrels away. Pictured: A North American red squirrel

The one minute long video of the squirrels on the obstacle course as filmed on October 24 and is just a short clip of the many months of entertainment watching the course.

‘These squirrels have entertained us for the past 9 months learning how to get through or jump over the obstacles, through trial and error,’ said Rebecca. 

‘Some of our favorite moments are watching them fall and get right back up again.’

The video shows a couple of squirrels on the course, which is unusual as squirrels they are quite territorial, and chase other squirrels away.