A squirrel factoid

Grey squirrels can’t hibernate; their metabolism won’t let them put on enough weight to sleep through the winter.

A squirrel’s survival depends on its agility, speed, and ability to jump, all of which would be impaired if it doubled its weight at the end of the summer, as the dormouse does.

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Instead, squirrels build weatherproof nests high in the trees, grow dense winter coats, and cache more than enough food nearby to see them through. They sleep a lot in the winter, sometimes for days if the weather is really bad, but they don’t actually hibernate.

Pictures taken in the park by DKG

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