1. Squirrels Can Communicate with Each Other
Squirrels may look cute and fluffy, but they are actually very intelligent. They use a variety of vocalizations, as well as body language, to communicate with each other. For example, when a squirrel sees a predator, it will alert other squirrels by making a series of high-pitched chirps.
2. Squirrels Have Excellent Memory
Squirrels have great memories and can remember the location of thousands of acorns that they bury each year. They use landmarks and spatial memory to locate their hidden food stores, even months later.
3. Squirrels Can Jump Up to 20 Feet
Squirrels are known for their impressive jumping abilities. They can jump up to 20 feet from tree to tree, and can even survive falls of up to 100 feet thanks to their strong hind legs and bushy tails.
4. Squirrels Are Expert Nut Crackers
Squirrels have incredibly strong jaws and teeth that allow them to crack open even the toughest of nuts. They use a variety of methods, including rubbing the nuts against hard surfaces and using their front teeth to break them open.
5. Squirrels Are Omnivores
While squirrels are known for their love of nuts, they are actually omnivores and will eat a wide variety of foods. In addition to nuts, they also eat fruits, seeds, insects, and even small animals like insects and baby birds.
6. Squirrels Can Run Up to 20 Miles Per Hour
Despite their small size, squirrels are incredibly fast runners. They can run up to 20 miles per hour, which is faster than the average human can run.
7. Squirrels Can Swim
While squirrels are known for their tree-climbing abilities, they are also good swimmers. They use their bushy tails as rudders to help them navigate through the water.
8. Squirrels Have Been to Space
In 1961, a squirrel named Miss Baker became the first squirrel to travel to space. She and a rhesus monkey named Able were launched into space in a capsule called the Jupiter AM-18.
9. Squirrels Can Hibernate
Some species of squirrels, such as the ground squirrel, hibernate during the winter months. During hibernation, their body temperature drops and their heart rate slows down to conserve energy.
10. Squirrels Help the Environment
Squirrels play an important role in the environment by helping to disperse seeds and nuts. When they bury nuts and seeds, they are actually helping to plant new trees and plants.