The Tool Desk
Outbyte Driver Updater FREEScan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Outbyte PC Repair FREEClear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Mark Rober built an eight-part backyard obstacle course to stop squirrels raiding his bird feeders. Styled like Ninja Warrior and Wipeout, it set out birdseed and walnuts as the reward. The squirrels eventually found ways through—turning the elaborate deterrent into a comic contest the animals ultimately won.
Why Mark Rober built a course for squirrels
The project began with a familiar backyard frustration: squirrels kept getting into bird feeders Rober had tried. Rather than present a commercial feeder test, he turned the problem into an engineering challenge, building a course that would make the animals work for birdseed and walnuts. HotHardware’s same-day account describes the feeder-raiding premise and backyard build (HotHardware).
How the course borrowed from Ninja Warrior and Wipeout
Published in May 2020, Rober’s video framed the build as an eight-part obstacle challenge in the spirit of the two television formats. Contemporary coverage describes it as a backyard creation, not a television production: the squirrels were attempting obstacles in Rober’s yard, not participating in or being injured on a show. Laughing Squid’s account describes the challenge and its framing (Laughing Squid).
The eight obstacle sections
Deseret News reported that the course had eight sections. Contemporary descriptions give these stages their own theatrical names:
#1 Best Overall
- Action-Packed Board Game Inspired by Mark Rober’s viral squirrel obstacle course videos, this wacky, high-energy game will get kids' hearts pumping as they race against time to collect nuts the quickest!
- Quick and Easy to Set Up Set up in minutes and jump straight into the action. Just place the obstacle bases and you’re ready to play. When the chain reaction sends the basketball rolling, it’s easy to reset and keep the fun going!
- Build Up Toward the Chain Reaction! Players race to trigger a furious obstacle course that becomes part of the competition. Once Fort Knuts gets too full, it will tip and send the basketball racing down the track – triggering obstacles, spilling the nuts down the Divide Slide, and knocking other players out!
- Avoid the Dangerous Spaces! Watch out! If you’re on a red danger space when Fort Nuts tips, the basketball can trigger obstacles that may knock you off course!
- Slide Down to Win! Once you get 11 points or more, it’s a dash to slide down the Divide Slide. If no one can beat your score after one final turn, you win!
- Bridge of Instability
- Maze of 1,000 Corridors
- Pitchfork Tumblers of Treachery
- Homewrecker
- Slinky Bridge of Deception
- Tourist Trap
- Quad Steps of Great Elevation
- Orbital Assist Platform
The names capture the build’s playful, over-the-top presentation: an ordinary bird-feeder dispute had become a miniature obstacle-course spectacle.
Why the squirrels’ attempts became the punchline
The course was designed to frustrate the animals, but the squirrels kept adapting and eventually reached the reward. The comic reversal was that Rober had underestimated how persistent his opponents could be. Deseret News reported the course’s eventual outcome in its June 24, 2020 account (Deseret News).
Rank #2
- 🌳 Balance & Push-Out Play Push out the colored logs while keeping the structure steady. Each turn becomes more challenging—one wrong move and it falls.
- 🎯 Dial for Random Turns Use the dial to decide your move. Adds surprise and keeps each round different.
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Gizmodo quoted Rober describing the bridge challenge: “Unless you’ve spent a lot of time trying to practice that one on your own there’s no way even the most athletic person can just step up and win that one.” (Gizmodo) The line captures the video’s joke: obstacles that looked daunting even to people did not end the squirrels’ attempts.
What the video does—and does not—show about stopping squirrels
Gizmodo reported that store-bought squirrel-resistant feeders had not worked in Rober’s setting, and that slippery poles made climbing harder on some poles. That is an observation about this backyard project, not a controlled comparison of feeder products or proof that one approach works everywhere.
Rank #3
- Enhance Your Rabbit's Agility: The rabbit jump bar toys are specially designed to improve your bunny’s agility and coordination, enhance fitness during exercise, and contribute to your pet's physical health
- More Stable and Durable: Our rabbit jump bar, with assembled dimensions of 21.3x13.4 inches, is made of solid wood for robust durability, making it sturdy and long-lasting. With improved fixation on both sides of the pole, it is less likely to fall off, and the enlarged base ensures greater stability during training sessions
- Adjustable Height for All Small Animals: The jump hurdles are detachable and easy to assemble, making them convenient to store and space-saving when not in use. With a total of 6 poles, each 16.9 inches long, you can customize the jumping height based on your pet's size and jumping ability. These obstacle toys are suitable for rabbits, guinea pigs, chinchillas and other small animals
- Versatile Toy: Our rabbit jump bar not only provides exercise opportunities for pets, helping them stay active and fit, but also deepens the bond with their owners through joyful training sessions, making playtime both fun and beneficial for their physical health
- Suitable for Indoor and Outdoor Use: Whether in your backyard lawn or living room, you can set up a fun obstacle course for your pet. It can be easily arranged anywhere, encouraging your small animal to jump and explore new obstacles, ensuring plenty of entertainment
A squirrel baffle for a bird-feeder pole is a product category readers might investigate, but the reports do not say that Rober tested or endorsed a particular baffle. This video supplies no ranked recommendation for commercial feeders and no measured product-performance results.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Rober’s engineering background
Deseret News reported that Rober had spent nine years at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory, including seven working on Curiosity, citing his YouTube channel biography. The outlet also reported more than 29 million views for the video as of June 24, 2020; that is a dated figure, not a current view count.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- Sugar glider perch stand: BNOSDM sugar glider toys offer a cozy resting spot and playful space for sugar gliders, mimicking wild habitats to boost social bonding, activity, and natural interaction—coordination and balance skills with shared adventures
- Natural Materials: Crafted from natural fruitwood, these sugar glider perches are chew-safe, textured for grip and nail care. The soil-enriched wood emits a natural scent, immersing pets living in nature
- Easy to Install: Just adjust the position of the chew toys for sugar gliders, add a flat washer, and tighten the wing nut. This will ensure that sugar gliders can stand on squirrel climbing steps safely and securely
- Size: 1x long pole (11.8inches/30cm), 4x short poles (3.94nches/10cm) expand vertical climbing space in cages. Standing climbing toy textured surface stimulates natural movement behaviors, aiding pets in mimicking wild habitat activity patterns
- Wide Application: BNOSDM sugar glider pole toys are perfect playground for sugar gliders, also cater to rodents (hamsters, rats, gerbils) and arboreal pets (squirrels, chinchillas)
Rank #4
- 【Climbing Toys】: This hanging cotton rope ring climbing toy is designed to provide hours of entertainment and physical activity for your little climbers. Ideal for sugar gliders, rats, squirrels, birds, and other small pets who enjoy exploring and climbing.
- 【Durable and Safe】: Made from high-quality cotton rope, this toy is strong, safe, and gentle on your pet’s paws. It’s built to withstand everyday play, offering a reliable and enjoyable climbing experience for your pets without compromising on safety.
- 【Cage Accessories】: Add a fun and functional element to your pet’s living space. This climbing toy doubles as a great accessory for cages, providing your pet with a natural way to exercise, stay active, and relieve boredom in a secure environment.
- 【Imitating Jungle Vines】: Designed to mimic the look of natural jungle vines, this climbing toy encourages your pets to engage in healthy climbing behaviors. It creates a more stimulating and enriching environment that appeals to your pet’s instincts.
- 【Wide Applicability】: Suitable for a variety of small pets such as sugar gliders, rats, squirrels, birds, and other small climbers. Whether used in a cage or as a hanging accessory for outdoor play, this toy meets the needs of different animals who love to climb and explore.
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