The legendary "Einhörnchen" – the star among mythical creatures

Many wildlife photographers know that finding an ordinary squirrel can be more difficult than expected. But tracking down a "Einhörnchen" is even more challenging! Rumor has it that this self-absorbed forest creature prefers to hide in the depths of dense fir forests, always careful to only appear in perfect sunlight. After all, what would a "Einhörnchen" be without an atmospheric spotlight to make its horn shimmer?

A social behavior that makes you shake your head

Contrary to their name, "Einhörnchen" rarely share their nuts or tree habitats. Anyone who has had the privilege of observing an "Einhörnchen" in the company of other creatures will notice a certain arrogance: It holds its sparkling horn high, as if the forest belonged to it alone. This exaggerated self-confidence is thought to be related to its unique appearance—after all, few animals combine the majestic horn of a unicorn with the fluffy charm of a squirrel.

Why a horn is so practical

The list of weird but useful tricks that the "Einhörnchen" has at its disposal thanks to its horn is long. Here's a small selection:

• Nutcracker Deluxe
  While ordinary squirrels busily grind their teeth on particularly hard nutshells, the "Einhörnchen" elegantly drills a hole with its horn. Who needs a hammer and chisel when you've got such a practical multifunctional tool on your head?
  
  
• Showy courtship ritual
  The "Einhörnchen" naturally plays a key role in the search for a mate. The animal stages veritable horn parades, adorned with glittering moss and colorful leaves. Hardly any other forest dweller can ignore so much bling—especially not the potential "Einhörnchen's" chosen one.
  
  
• Catching flying snacks
  If cracking nuts gets too boring, you can simply lift your head and use your horn to catch a few insects buzzing around.

The trophy of all trophies

For hunters and collectors, the "Einhörnchen" is the ultimate treasure. The horn alone would be a rarity, but combined with its photogenic fluffiness, it's the trophy everyone raves about—the "unicorn" of hunting trophies, so to speak. Whether you're looking for it to boost your ego as a wildlife photographer or a hunter hoping to capture the rarest trophy, the "Einhörnchen" remains a shining star in the firmament of evolution. And it's precisely this blend of vanity and exoticism that makes it the perfect subject.