Page 36 - World of Animals - Issue #30

Nature’s most cunning

Squirrels play mind games to

protect their food stores

Animals that are capable of adapting hiding food. Contrary to popular belief,
to their environment often show a high this goes beyond randomly burying
level of intelligence, and few woodland acorns; squirrels use their impressive
critters are more adaptable than the memory to remember reliable food
grey squirrel. stores year after year. They even
These nimble rodents can be a know how to stop other squirrels
nuisance in the garden, digging up from finding their favourite nuts. If a
seeds and stealing food from bird squirrel knows that it is being watched
feeders whenever they get the chance. by a rival, it will sometimes pretend
But rather than thinking of them as to bury its food before scampering
pests, we should admire squirrels’ off and secretly hiding it somewhere
opportunistic and determined nature – more private. To minimise the chance
their food-foraging skills help them to of thieves returning to regular hiding
survive in almost any habitat, making places, food is often buried and
them some of the most successful reburied in different spots. This helps
mammals around. to ensure that the squirrel always has
One of the most cunning behaviours something to nibble on during the lean
shown by squirrels is their talent for winter months.

Squirrels move their food stores
regularly to prevent other
animals from stealing them

GREY SQUIRREL MARGAY
Sciurus carolinensis Leopardus wiedii
Class Mammalia Class Mammalia

“A squirrel will pretend
Territory North America, Territory Central and South
western Europe to bury its food, before America
Diet Nuts, seeds, flowers Diet Small mammals, birds,
Lifespan 12 years eggs, amphibians, reptiles
Adult weight 540g (19oz) scampering off and Lifespan 12 to 14 years
Conservation status Adult weight 3.5kg (7.7lb)
hiding it somewhere Conservation status
more private” NEAR THREATENED
LEAST CONCERN

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