Photo/Illutration (Photo by Toshiyuki Takeya)

Editor's note: This is part of a series of videos offering an up-close perspective on the animal kingdom. A special 360-degree video camera system was set up in zoos and other facilities to show how the animals view their world as they interact.

Also visit our special 360-DEGREE LIVES page (http://t.asahi.com/360lives), where you can watch all the previous videos.

* * *

On a fine autumn day, a visit to the Machida Squirrel Garden found about 200 or so Taiwan squirrels kept in an open area covering 2,500 square meters.

The facility is located in Machida, on the western outskirts of Tokyo.

The bowl-shaped compound was surrounded by a fence and colorful boxes made by children are used as nests.

The small video camera was placed within that compound.

The animals gathered around Kenji Higuchi, the head of the facility, when he began spreading out acorns, tomatoes and apples.

The squirrels ate their food as though they were in a speed-eating contest.

Some of them ate without a care in the world and held their food with both arms in front of them, similar to the pose made famous by Japanese rugby player Ayumu Goromaru before his kicks during games.

The animals also showed an interest in the stationary camera and tripod, with some peeking in from the finder as though they were cameramen. Some of the sponge covering on the tripod was eventually torn away by the animals’ gnawing.

Because the squirrels are accustomed to humans, visitors can feed them directly. A bag of feed costs 100 yen (90 cents). Some of the squirrels scampered up a visitor's leg in search of food. Their nails are so sharp they can be felt through jeans.

Visitors thinking about playing with the animals are advised to wear clothing made of thick material.