Fun facts about the animals on campus

The maple foliage has faded, and the wind is blowing more ferociously, heralding the arrival of early winter. It’s less common for ZJU students to run into these attractive creatures on campus. However, they are always there, waiting to give you a warm welcome and a big surprise by lurking in the shadows or even sleeping in your bike basket.

The presence of swans, cats, dogs, squirrels, and so many other animals is always a blessing. They surround you in a lively, surprising, and cozy way.

The Laziest ones

You may find cats anywhere on the Zijingang campus—on the streets, along the lake, in front of a classroom—and they come in all different colors, including black, white, ginger, spotted, tabby, and mix-colored ones. 

Even though these cats are stray animals without owners or regular feeders, they are largely overweight. Some students have to post notices on the board to remind the cats’ health problem for being too heavy.

Swimmers or Fighters?

I was familiar with the name of the black swans on the Qizhen Lake even before I entered this university. The swans are the most graceful swimmers, diving in the water no matter the season—they don't have an early class to rush to.

The animal diversity near the Qizhen lake is actually much greater than you could imagine. Apart from the well-known black swan, there are many other species, including mallards, geese, weasels, and ducks of various sorts. At lunchtime, if you’re in the mood, you can always see them fighting with each other. They can be divided into several factions, with the swan at the top of the food chain, three old geese are in charge of the others. The young ducklings, terrified of their boss, always work in groups and stay up with their pals.

Happy Tree Friends

It’s not easy to shoot a squirrel, no matter how quickly you set up your devices, those nimble tree friends can always slip away one step earlier.

But if you are lucky enough to come across one of them, especially on your balcony or in the dormitory, be careful not to be deceived by its innocent appearance. The truth is, the squirrels in ZJU are the most dangerous burglars you will ever meet. According to the students, robbed by the squirrels is not as interesting as it seems. The naughty tree friends can sneak into your desk drawers during the night, leaving in the morning with a wicked smile and a pile of empty snack packs.