Internet goes nuts for Crasher Squirrel

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 21/08/2009 (6068 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

MONTREAL — The little rodent that infamously crashed a Banff tourist photo and has been linked countless times online is stealing even more scenes.

Known as the Crasher Squirrel, the critter has now popped up in dozens of other photos on the Internet keeping quite an array of company. He’s now virtually posed along with the likes of the Queen, Osama bin Laden, golfer Tiger Woods, celebrity Paris Hilton and the Beatles.

The inquisitive-looking creature has been the inspiration for websites like the "Squirrelizer," which allow the squirrel to be dropped into any photo.

The Crasher Squirrel has gone viral and is one of the latest Internet crazes to grab the world’s attention, much like the now-familiar wedding video that shows a couple boogieing down the aisle at their nuptials.

The rush to get on board with a viral phenomenon and join the party represents an attempt by Internet users to show they’re with it, they get "it," said Shirley Steinberg, an associate professor at McGill University, on Wednesday.

"If we can place the squirrel into our world, then we know we’re cool," she said.

The Crasher Squirrel was originally photographed inadvertently by a Minnesota couple, who used the timer on their camera to pose for a snapshot while on vacation in Banff National Park.

Melissa and Jackson Brandts were smiling in front of picturesque Lake Minnewanka when the squirrel ran into the frame and posed for the camera.

Melissa Brandts sent the photo to National Geographic‘s photo gallery with an explanation of what happened and it has gone global in the last week.

Prof. Megan Boler of the University of Toronto said the Crasher Squirrel has become an "inside joke" but it’s only funny because it’s real.

And because it has global appeal.

"This image translates without language," said Boler, who has studied emotion and popular culture.

"It’s funny to anyone across cultures. It will be funny to everyone because everyone does snapshots in front of beautiful sites. Anyone can relate to the humour of being upstaged by a little animal."

Steinberg said the Crasher Squirrel and the wedding dance video give people a feeling of "childish happiness," and now Banff and Lake Louise Tourism is basking in that warm glow and hoping it will help attract more visitors.

"It has been a difficult few months no matter who you are or what industry you’re in and this is a little bright light," said president and CEO Julie Canning.

Banff and Lake Louise Tourism has set up Facebook and Twitter pages for the squirrel and plans to use its image in future tourist campaigns.

Share your photo

Create your own Crasher Squirrel photo using the Squirrelizer or your own method, then email us the results.

We’ll create a photo album of some of the best we receive.