A new study conducted by animal researchers showed that squirrels can have human-like personality traits.

The study was conducted over a 3 year period with golden-mantled ground squirrels. The study focused on how social, active, and bold the squirrels were when put to different tests.

The researchers found that the most social and bold squirrels had the most success. Whether that be evading predators, collecting food, or claiming vantage points.

An introduction to the study said, “To see them chitter and skitter, stop and then scurry, the fact that ground squirrels have personalities may not seem surprising.  But the scientific field of animal personality is relatively young, as is the recognition that there are ecological consequences of animal personality. For instance, bolder, more aggressive squirrels may find more food or defend a larger territory, but their risky behavior may also make them vulnerable to predation or accidents.”

This is one of the first studies conducted around the personality traits of squirrels. Giving us a rare insight into the human-like personality traits of squirrels and how it affects them in the wild. 

More studies around squirrels and personality traits are currently being done by animal behavior researchers.

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