Surprising Squirrel Intelligence
Scientists once thought that squirrels used scent to retrieve buried food but have since documented that they return more frequently to their own buried caches than those of other individuals. Stealing food is not, however, out of the question, and their sense of smell is definitely used for pilfering extra nuts along the way. To thwart a neighbor’s memory skills, a squirrel being watched by another will undertake something called “deceptive caching” to prevent food theft. The squirrel makes an elaborate show of digging and recovering a hole but leaves without depositing anything inside!The Trouble With Squirrel Tenants
Introduced into urban and suburban parks in the late 1800s to help simulate “wild” nature, squirrels are now common in our neighborhoods and yards. These suburban animals are also more robust and heartier than completely wild squirrels. Historic interactions between our species led suburban squirrels to view us not as a threat but a food source, and they are now extremely comfortable around people. A squirrel may claim up to 25 acres in the territory, building multiple nests and many food caches across this area. Some species produce two litters a year of three to four offspring each. The wealth of warm, dry nooks like attics, garages and sheds in human population centers have become appealing to suburban squirrels looking for nests to raise their babies. Because they never stop teething — an attribute of all rodents — squirrels are compelled to gnaw to manage the growth. This biological compunction means that even a single squirrel can quickly chew through the wood, wires, shingles and insulation of a structure. If they have entered your home to produce and raise young, the problem can escalate rapidly. The territoriality and keen memory that make squirrels such fascinating creatures to observe also make them hard to evict. Even when squirrels rotate out of a nest temporarily, they often return when weather conditions or food supply changes. You may forget about your squirrel tenants for a little while, but they won’t forget about you!
Loading...
