This is seriously cool…or hot…depending on how you like to look at things 🙂Ī researcher from the University of Nebraska discovered that California ground squirrels use their tails in a highly specific manner to combat rattlesnakes ( source). Squirrels Use Their Tails to Fight Rattlesnakes! The more frustrated the squirrels became the more they flagged their tails! The video below highlights an interesting study out of the University of California, Berkeley where a researcher intentionally frustrated a bunch of squirrels in a non-threatening manner and observed their tail action. It has also been suggested that squirrels flag their tails as a way of showing frustration. The flagging tail also helps the squirrel seem larger than it actually is is an attempt to discourage a predator.īy communicating both with their tails and through various alarm calls squirrels do a great job of keeping each other safe.Ĭurious? Read this: Squirrel Noises and Sounds: Barks, Screams, Chirping-What Do The Calls Mean? This behavior, called flagging, has been described as a way of communicating with other squirrels (Look out! I see something dangerous!) AND communicating with the potential predator (I see you! Don’t even try it!!). Squirrels wag and flick their tails when they spot something dangerous. Squirrels Use Their Tails To Communicate! Of course, not all squirrel’s have a safe landing when they fall from significant heights but every little bit of stopping power helps. This slows the squirrel’s fall and provides time for the squirrel to orientate itself for landing.” ( source) You might have guessed that a squirrel uses its tail to help maintain its balance as it scampers through the tree tops but did you know that the tail also acts as a parachute if the squirrel takes a tumble?Īccording to Nu Sci magazine, “During a fall, the hairs on the tail separate in order to catch as much air as possible. Squirrels Use Their Tails As A Parachute!
When a squirrel is cold it can reduce blood flow to the tail to conserve heat. When a squirrel is hot it can send excess blood to the tail for heat dissipation.
On a more sophisticated level, a squirrel can control blood flow to the tail. The squirrel can wrap its tail around itself in winter for warmth as well.
Yes, squirrels use their tails as an umbrella! The most basic temperature controlling functions of the tail is providing a source of shade in warm weather and protecting the animal from rain. This is one of the major ways squirrels use their tails. If you have spent much time at all watching tree squirrels then you have undoubtedly seen one sitting in the classic pose with its tail curled up over its back.Ī squirrel’s tail is an important thermo-regulatory device ( source).
Lastly, a squirrel without a tail has lost one of the mechanisms it uses to control body temperature making it more susceptible to the challenges of extreme heat or cold. A squirrel without a tail will not be able to use flagging to scare off predators making it more of a target. This is especially dangerous as the squirrel won’t be able to use his tail to slow the descent. A squirrel’s tail is essential to survival.Ī squirrel without a tail will not be able to balance as well in the treetops and is at greater risk for a fall. Squirrels can live a long time in the wild but without their tail but are at more risk for an early death. Once the tail is gone it stays gone and the poor fella just looks goofy. Squirrels can also lose their tails during a fight with a predator.Ī squirrel can not regrow its tail. A squirrel can get its tail stuck between branches on fence boards while they are chasing each other and have the thing yanked right off. What Happens When A Squirrel Loses Its Tail?Ī squirrel losing its tail is a relatively common event. Those fluffy appendages help with balance, regulate body temperature, break their falls, are used for communication and even battle! Unfortunately it is not uncommon for a squirrel’s tail to come off. The tail on a squirrel is a fascinating device that has a lot of uses.
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