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Marionville is known for its white squirrels

Marionville in Lawrence County is known for its white squirrels. State conservation officials say they are eastern gray squirrels (not true albinos), and a city ordinance protects them.

Marionville sits in eastern Lawrence County, and it is known for its white squirrels. You can spot them around town, and the people who live there look out for them.

The Missouri Department of Conservation says most biologists call these eastern gray squirrels, a common Missouri species that just happens to be white. They are not true albinos. True albinos have pink eyes, and Marionville’s squirrels do not.

The town protects them too. A city ordinance tells drivers to yield the right of way to white squirrels. Anyone who tries to hurt or kill one on purpose can be fined $1,000.

Why do they keep thriving here? The Conservation Department points to one reason: people. Residents take good care of their white squirrels. If you want the exact wording of the local rules, check with the Marionville city office.

References

Where this fits: this note belongs to Lawrence County. See every local note for the county on its page.

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