“Chestnut does what Chestnut likes, regardless of human attention.”
Man Discovers a Squirrel Living Inside His Wall — and She Refuses to Leave
Last December, Reddit user Toozinger began noticing strange scratching noises coming from the walls of his third-floor apartment. At first, he assumed it was just the neighbors’ cats.
“I figured it had to be the cats next door,” he said.
But things quickly took an unexpected turn.
“I was sitting at my computer when a small hole suddenly appeared in the wall after some intense scratching,” he explained. Peeking through the opening, Toozinger realized he wasn’t dealing with cats — but with a squirrel who had made herself quite at home inside his wall.
“I heard tearing and scratching throughout the night,” he recalled. “It was honestly pretty unsettling to think I might wake up with a squirrel sitting in my room.”
To ease his worries, Toozinger covered the hole with a board and informed building management. Unfortunately, their solution was far from gentle.
“While I was at work, management tossed poison into the hole and screwed a board over it,” he said. “Later, I found out that poisoning squirrels is likely illegal — and probably wouldn’t even work.”
Despite their attempt, this wasn’t the end of the story. Now fully invested in his unexpected guest, Toozinger decided to name her Chestnut.
Although the scratching stopped for a while, it was soon replaced by soft whimpering sounds, which concerned Toozinger. But within a week, Chestnut was back to full strength — and with that, Toozinger’s concern about gaining a permanent roommate returned.
Determined to prove Chestnut was still there, Toozinger got creative. “I replaced the wood with a piece of plexiglass so I could see if she was coming and going,” he said.
Sure enough, Chestnut had crafted a cozy little nest inside the wall. “She really made it homey in there,” he said. “I’ve watched her leave to explore outside and then come back to rest.”
Even with humans watching, Chestnut remained completely unfazed.
“She doesn’t care what anyone thinks,” Toozinger laughed. “Chestnut does what Chestnut wants.”
While Toozinger admits he’s grown fond of his tiny neighbor, he knows this arrangement can’t last forever — for both of their safety.
“I’d love to see her find a safer place to live,” he said. “Sure, my wall is warm, but it’s no place for a squirrel, especially with electrical wires nearby. I hope wildlife specialists can help her move on safely and close up the entrance.”
Until that day comes, Chestnut continues to nap peacefully in her wall home — and Toozinger has gained a story he’ll never forget.
“I’ve really come to appreciate the sweet nature of squirrels like Chestnut,” he said. “But in the end, she belongs outside, wild and free.”