The spring equinox begins at 5:01 a.m. EDT on March 20, 2025, marking the official start of spring. 

In honor of the seasonal change, The Daily Pennsylvanian captured the animals that call Penn’s campus home.

BioPond, located in James G. Kaskey Memorial Park, is home to many different species. Among them, is a large population of invasive turtle species. 

The red-eared sliders are the most popular pet across the rest of the world, and they are also the most invasive turtle. They prevent native turtle species from sun basking on rocks and food sources. Penn’s School of Veterinary Medicine and its students are working towards conserving wildlife by tracking these turtle’s sightings.

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Large quantities of koi fish also inhabit the pond. They can be identified by their vibrant colors such as orange, red, white, and yellow.

No animal is able to cover more campus ground than the birds of Penn. 

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The American robin and house sparrow are among the most frequently seen birds on campus. 

One of the most famous creatures on campus is the black squirrel. Unlike its gray counterpart, the black squirrel has a darker fur coat due to a mutation in the gene for the melanin receptor protein. You can typically find them on College Green. 

Gray squirrels are a familiar sight, darting across campus and scurrying up trees.