Squirrels might be the most boring animals in the world. They live in parks and universities and backyards, they eat acorns and pilfer bird feeders. Hell, you probably don’t even brake if you see one in the middle of the road.
But I think you’ll be surprised to learn all the crazy sophisticated strategies squirrels have evolved to survive the winter. For starters, did you know some squirrel species hang mushrooms in between tree branches to dry? Why? Well, because mushroom jerky keeps better than fresh mushrooms and doesn’t have as many nasty insects and nematodes.
Now, click through for a bunch of squirrely facts. You might even gain an appreciation for the little rodents.
National Geographic News – “5 Surprising Facts About Squirrels”
For those of you keeping track at home, this is my second piece on squirrels. If you missed the first one, it was about how early Americans transplanted squirrels into city parks because they thought it would help tame mean little boys. You can’t make this stuff up!
Slate - “Missionary Squirrels: The Misguided Campaign to Tame Wild Boys”
Image courtesy of Peter Trimming, “Nut King”
