Squirrels run in circles before digging a hole to pack the soil and find the best spot to dig, thus facilitating digging and ensuring better construction of their nest or food cache.
This behavior in squirrels is primarily related to their need to assess and secure a specific area before digging. They circle around to better inspect their environment, check for the absence of potential predators, and identify any nearby sources of danger. This circular movement also allows them to lightly test the quality and texture of the soil, to determine if the spot will be suitable for effectively hiding their food or setting up their burrow. In other words, circling is a quick and efficient inspection that enables squirrels to avoid wasting their energy unnecessarily by digging where it is not worthwhile. This routine thus provides them with a real advantage in terms of survival and energy conservation.
Turning in circles primarily allows the squirrel to spot potential predators. The squirrel quickly sweeps its surroundings with a glance to ensure there's no immediate danger before lowering its guard. This small ritual also helps it to precisely assess the quality and depth of the ground. By turning, its paws can better sense the texture of the terrain, ensuring a reliable hiding place for its supplies. Another clever point: this little circular dance allows the squirrel to pack down or slightly clear the leaves or debris on the ground, making it easier to dig. In short, a few small turns ensure safety and efficiency, helping to avoid unpleasant surprises and unnecessary delays.
Scientists have observed that squirrels often exhibit circular behavior before precisely choosing where to dig. According to some hypotheses, turning in circles may allow them to more effectively analyze and memorize their environment. This action could also serve to detect potential predators or competitors in the immediate vicinity. Other researchers suggest that this little ritual simply helps the squirrel to pack down and check the quality of the soil before hiding its precious reserves. Until today, no single explanation has reached complete consensus, but these avenues already help to better understand this intriguing behavior.
This behavior of turning before acting is reminiscent of that of other animals. For example, dogs sometimes turn around before lying down or settling comfortably in the grass. This allows them to quickly check the safety of the area and ensure that no obstacles or dangers are lurking nearby. The same goes for certain birds that make several circles around their nest to make sure that no predator is discreetly watching the area before landing. For wolves, turning before lying down also helps them pack the surface they are about to sleep on, thus increasing their comfort and safety. Just like squirrels, these circular behaviors mainly serve to check the nearby environment and ensure the best possible conditions before undertaking a specific action.
When looking for the ideal place to hide their food, squirrels carefully assess their surroundings, even using visual markers to easily find their stash, even under the snow.
The hind legs of squirrels turn slightly outward, allowing them to pivot easily when digging, facilitating those characteristic circular movements.
Squirrels have an extraordinary spatial memory, capable of locating hundreds of different caches where they have previously buried their food supplies.
Did you know that squirrels inadvertently plant hundreds of trees each year by forgetting some of their buried caches, thus actively participating in natural reforestation?
Yes, several animals exhibit similar behaviors. For example, dogs that circle before lying down, or certain birds that turn while searching for food in order to carefully inspect their environment. This is a common behavior among many species.
Different hypotheses exist, one of the most common being that circling allows squirrels to ensure there are no predators around, or to precisely assess the optimal spot to dig and bury their food for easier retrieval later.
No, this behavior is not systematic. It often occurs but also depends on the environment, the type of soil, or potential threats nearby. Each squirrel has its own habits and methods.
No, even tree squirrels can display similar behavior when they bury their food at the base of trees. However, the frequency and intensity of this behavior vary among species.
Not always in a precise manner. They mainly use their sense of smell, visual recognition of the terrain, and their memories to locate their caches. However, it often happens that the squirrel forgets certain locations, thereby indirectly contributing to seed dispersal and forest renewal.
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