Pinto Bean (squirrel) facts for kids
Pinto Bean in Champaign, October 2022
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| Species | Eastern gray squirrel |
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| Sex | Male |
| Died | October 8, 2022 Springfield Avenue, Champaign, Illinois, U.S. |
| Cause of death | Traffic accident |
| Known for | Distinctive piebald pattern, media appearances and tributes |
| Residence | University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign |
Pinto Bean was a famous eastern gray squirrel who lived on the campus of the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. He was well-known and loved by students because of his very unusual fur. His special pattern, called piebald, made him look different from all the other squirrels.
Sadly, he passed away on October 8, 2022, after an accident involving a vehicle. Pinto Bean was so popular that many people called him a "small celebrity" and an "unofficial mascot" for the university. During a college football game, a special message honoring Pinto Bean was even shown on the giant screen at Memorial Stadium.
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A One-of-a-Kind Pattern
Pinto Bean was a male eastern gray squirrel. He got his name because his fur had a mix of gray and white patches, which looked like pinto beans. This unique look is called piebald.
According to Eric Shauber, a director at the Illinois Natural History Survey, this pattern was caused by a rare genetic change. This change affected how melanin (the natural substance that gives fur and skin its color) was spread throughout his body. Mr. Shauber said this genetic trait was so uncommon that Pinto Bean was almost certainly the only squirrel with this pattern on the entire campus.
A Sad Goodbye and a Lasting Memory
On October 8, 2022, Pinto Bean was found on the side of a street in Champaign. It is believed he died in a traffic accident. The news of his passing spread quickly on social media sites like the r/UIUC subreddit.
A local resident named Clark Jackson wanted to make sure Pinto Bean would be remembered. He carefully collected the squirrel and took him to a taxidermist. A taxidermist is a professional who preserves animals so they can be displayed for educational purposes, like in a museum. Thanks to this effort, people can still see Pinto Bean. His preserved body is now on display in the Forbes Natural History Building on the university campus.
How People Honored Pinto Bean
The university community was very sad to lose Pinto Bean and found many ways to honor him.
During a home college football game for the Illinois team on October 15, 2022, a tribute to Pinto Bean appeared on the giant screen, or jumbotron, at Memorial Stadium. The screen showed a picture of him with the message: "RIP to Pinto Bean the Squirrel, forever in our hearts."
The Illini Wildlife and Conservation Club also held a moment of silence to remember him. Many students and other members of the community shared heartfelt messages and memories of him online.
See also
- Chicago rat hole
- Tommy Tucker (squirrel)
- Squirrels on college campuses
