3K Views 3 years ago

Squirrels Do Indeed Know Where They Buried Their Nuts, Research Suggests

red squirrel perched on branch holding nut. squirrels

As temperatures cool throughout the Northern Hemisphere, many animals, including squirrels, begin their preparations for the winter. Shorter days and lower temperatures mean less food. This means that these creatures have to come up with clever strategies to make meager rations last throughout the winter. For many types of squirrels, hiding nuts and seeds provides them with stores of food that they can rely on throughout the winter. However, popular debate has long wondered whether these rodents remember where they hide their precious bounty. Scientists say yes! Squirrels do indeed remember where they hide their nuts.

A 1997 study used field experiments to show that one squirrel may hide up to 3,000 nuts per season. As winter looms, they know that they will need to rely on these stashes to survive the coming cold. Given the importance of their hidden stashes, there is quite a bit of strategy that goes into their methods of storage.

Scientists have identified two main methods of storage that squirrels use. The first is known as larder hoarding. Squirrels will hide all of their food in one or two locations that they will then observe and defend if they utilize the larger hoarding strategy. This method is more common in species of squirrel that have smaller territories or rely on only a few food sources. American red squirrels often prefer this method of food storage.

The other storage strategy is called scatter hoarding. Scatter hoarding means that the squirrels will bury their food in smaller quantities across multiple locations. This makes more sense for squirrels like Eastern gray squirrels who have larger foraging territories and depend on many different food sources.

It is important to note that these two strategies are not exclusive. Several squirrel species will practice a mix of the two techniques. However, different species will typically favor one storage strategy over the other.

Squirrels also do indeed remember where their stashes are located! One 2017 study showed that these critters are capable of remembering events from two years ago and use that information to solve problems. Other research also showed that squirrels use an organizational strategy called “chunking” to help them remember where their stashes are buried. Squirrels may also pay close attention to spatial and visual clues when burying their food stores. These cues can help them locate their caches again later.

Although squirrels may often be overlooked, it is fascinating to learn about how their minds work. Researchers are still uncovering new information about squirrels and how their memories function. Although for some people, squirrels may seem commonplace, they are unique creatures who have developed complex survival strategies and structures.

Sign this petition to Help Save Squirrels in Texas!