The @squirrels_of_USFSP Instagram page is run by junior health sciences major Savannah Carr since 2019. As her graduation approaches, it is time for the next squirrel whisperer to take over the page.
Courtesy of @squirrels_of_USFSP on Instagram
By Savannah Carr
During my first semester at the University of South Florida, I started the “Squirrels of USFSP” Instagram page as a rather socially awkward first- year with few friends here. I was bored sitting alone by the harbor when I first noticed my favorite squirrel.
I named him George because he was very curious about my stuff and what I was doing there. I thought George and the other squirrels were intriguing with their behavior. Thus, the page was born.
At first, the page worked solely around the pictures I took. As the account gained attention, students started submitting their own photos. I started to run out of ideas for captions and began asking the students about “their” squirrel.
It was fairly steady and it was fun to run it anonymously.
One day, I heard some students discussing the page and who they thought ran it –– and they were so wrong. However, by the time spring 2021 came around, the page became more popular than I planned.
It started with a direct message (DM) from St. Petersburg’s Regional Chancellor Martin Tadlock, with his own squirrel photos. I thought that would be the most attention the page would get, however, Tadlock sent more and more pictures and from there, I gained not only a follower, but a mentor.
With the page now having Tadlock’s attention, The Crow’s Nest soon followed.
The page received a DM from The Crow’s Nest one day, wanting to know the story behind the page and who ran it. I was not sure if I wanted to reveal myself, but went ahead with the article.
Surprisingly, even with the article revealing who ran the page, some students still don’t know it’s me,; which I find hilarious.
I love running the page, seeing the messages sent by the students, and taking my own pictures. However, I am graduating from USF this semester and moving to a new university to begin nursing school.
So, now I need someone to take over the profile page, which is where the student body comes to the rescue.
The page could easily be run remotely, however, it should be run by a student who wants to continue the humorous legacy.
Running the page does not require much work. I usually take pictures of the squirrels anytime I have a good shot, but won’t post them right away. I like to keep an album of the pictures on my phone to go back to when there is a dry spell from student submissions.
I was also thinking about posting memes on the page to mix up the pictures. Whoever takes over the page next needs to be creative.
More than that, the next manager of the account needs to have immense school spirit. This page was intended to be light-hearted and goofy to help make the student body laugh.
Handing off this page is something I have dreaded since I made it, but I know that with the right student taking over, it will be an easy transition.
Just like my time here at USF St. Petersburg, it is time to say “see you later.”
If you are interested in taking over the page, DM the squirrels and I at @squirrels_of_usfsp on Instagram.
Savannah Carr is a junior health sciences major at USF St. Petersburg.
Thank you Savannah for creating the USFSP spirit for the Love of Squirrels page and what we hope will be a long term campus traditon & legacy. Squirrels are real.
Very cute and well-written.