Squirrels from the Sciuridae family are endearing creatures known for their cute behaviour – which includes collecting nuts and digging holes in yards. Are these cute rodents captivating you as much as we are? Below, we present some squirrel facts to uncover hidden mysteries and fuel your curiosity about this creature of science fiction!
10 Quirky and Curious Squirrel Facts
1: The Greek Word for “Squirrel” Translates to “Shadow Tail”
The term “squirrel” originates in Greek as the word -skiers, where “skia” translates to shadow and “oura” means tail. However, some might find “shadowtails” amusingly named squirrels; their name serves an intriguing title that sparks curiosity about this species of animal.
2: A Squirrel’s Front Teeth Never Stops Growing
One of the most fascinating facts about squirrels is their ceaseless process of teeth growth. These bushy-tail bandits boast four front teeth, which grow at an astounding six inches (15 cm) annually – though once lost, they do not regrow again! In order to prevent over-growth and eventual fallout, squirrels must chew away at them regularly in order to file down and file off excess tooth growth by chewing.
3: Male Squirrels Can Smell a Female in Heat From a Mile Away
Male squirrels are adept at finding partners. With heat-emitting scents able to detect female squirrels from up to one mile away, males quickly locate female squirrels before pursuing them for mating purposes – though female squirrels try their best not to pair off twice with the same male in order to preserve genetic diversity and minimize mutation risks.
4: Squirrels Store Nuts and Acorns to Survive the Winter
Squirrels, known for their adventurous pursuit of nuts and acorns, carefully store nuts for winter survival through caching, often collecting over 15,000 nuts each year! Their storage strategy ensures food will always be available throughout hibernation season to maintain energy levels during hibernation and ensure survival and energy maintenance during hibernation.
5: Squirrels Have Sharp Four Toes on the Front Feet and 5 Toes on the Back Feet
Squirrels have four toes on their front feet and five on each foot on each back foot. They also have well-developed claws for gripping branches and bark, which helps them avoid branch collisions easily.
Tree squirrels have the unique ability to descend trees headfirst by rotating their ankles 180 degrees. This enables their hind paws to point backwards, improving their grip on the bark.
6: Squirrels Mate Twice a Year
Female squirrels mate twice every year, once in early spring and again in midsummer, with different males; males can mate at any time. A typical pregnancy lasts 36-44 days, during which she builds a nest (drey). To ensure the well-being of her offsparing.
At seven weeks, young squirrels leave their mother to start eating solid foods and learn independence. Men play no role whatsoever in raising these young squirrels.
7: Squirrels Can Run at 20 mph and Jump up to 20 Feet
Squirrels are famously curious and intelligent animals. They are capable of running 20 mph and jumping 20 feet high. Their jumps are assisted by their cushioned feet acting as cushions during high jumps, while their fluffy tails act like parachutes to balance themselves during high leaps.
8: They Run away in a Zigzag Pattern
Squirrels use speed as an escape route from predators, sprinting up to 20 mph in a zigzag pattern for cover and to elude hawks or other predators that might attempt to catch them. They achieve this incredible feat thanks to the effective use of their tail, which makes bluffing difficult while remaining easily detectable by these skilled runners.
9: Squirrels Lose 25% of Their Buried Food
Squirrels are known for hoarding food for use during hibernation; however, part of what they store may become lost as others steal caches containing these stores of sustenance buried by other squirrels or birds. 25% of food buried by squirrels for winter becomes vulnerable due to theft from other squirrels or birds scavenging through these caches during hibernation.
Scientists have recently observed how squirrels use clever strategies to find sustenance. They often create false caches to mislead other squirrels and birds into finding it for themselves. Their long-term memories and a strong sense of smell help them locate where to store food safely.
10: Squirrels Can Fall From Any Height Without Being Hurt
Amazing squirrel facts reveal their incredible resilience by virtue of their small size and the way their bodies can spread apart upon landing from any height. A squirrel’s large area-to-mass ratio means gravity doesn’t pull with too much force on them when landing from heights of any type, while their flexible bodies help them land safely using tails as stabilizers to land safely on feet and safely on both feet!
However, if a squirrel falls more than 20 feet and collides with an object on its way down, it could incur serious injuries and require medical treatment.
Conclusion
Squirrels are remarkable creatures with fascinating abilities and behaviours. They possess amazing adaptations that enable them to thrive in various environments, and they show intelligence and resilience that capture our attention.
The above squirrel facts reveal the secrets of the Sciuridae family and encourage us to appreciate and understand their intelligent lives more fully.
FAQs
What are 5 interesting facts about squirrels?
- Greek for “squirrel,” meaning shadow tail.
- A squirrel’s front teeth never stop growing.
- Male squirrels can detect an estrous female from miles away.
- Squirrels store nuts and acorns for winter
- Hoarding nuts between four-toed front feet and five-toed rear feet with sharp claws for foothold.
What is the squirrel trick?
Squirrels use their unique behaviour of digging empty holes and covering them with leaves and twigs to fool other animals and protect their food stores from potential predators. Furthermore, they run in an unpredictable zigzag pattern as an added way of staying hidden from possible danger.
Do squirrels’ front teeth keep growing?
Yes, squirrel front teeth grow at an annual rate of six inches (15 cm), though once lost, they do not regrow.
What is the mating period for squirrels?
Female squirrels mate twice each year – in early spring and midsummer, respectively, while males can mate throughout the year. A typical pregnancy lasts 36 to 44 days, during which the mother must construct a drey so that her offspring can reside safely within its territory.
Can squirrels jump 20 feet?
Squirrels, well known for their intelligence and curiosity, can run at 20 mph and jump up to 20 feet high. Their feet feature cushioned padding, while their fluffy tails serve as parachutes when taking high jumps.