Impressive Jumping Skills: Squirrels, particularly tree-dwelling ones, can jump nearly 10 feet and even glide up to 295 feet, showcasing remarkable agility.
Organized Nut Storage: A study at UC Berkeley revealed that eastern fox squirrels organize their nut caches by type, exhibiting a form of "spatial chunking" for efficient retrieval.
Forgetfulness Aids Tree Growth: Squirrels' forgetfulness in retrieving buried acorns contributes to forest regeneration as overlooked nuts sprout into new trees.
Crucial Role in Truffle Survival: Squirrel digestive systems play a crucial role in truffle propagation, as they pass spores through feces, aiding the growth of fungi crucial for forest ecosystems.
Unique Descending Ability: Squirrels are among the few mammals capable of sprinting head-first down a tree, thanks to their ankles that can rotate 180°.
Competing for White Squirrel Title: Various towns, including Olney, Illinois, vie for the title of "Home of the White Squirrel," with strict protections and even annual counts.
Potential in Stroke Research: Ground squirrels' hibernation inspires stroke research, aiming to develop drugs that mimic the cellular changes in their brains during extreme cold, potentially reducing stroke-related damage.
Historical Connection to Leprosy Spread: Research suggests that squirrel fur may have contributed to the spread of leprosy in the Middle Ages, possibly through Viking trade in squirrel pelts and meat.