Squirrels adapt to extreme heat by spreading their bodies flat to reduce thermal stress
In Southern California, squirrels are adapting to extreme heat by spreading their bodies flat against the ground, a behavior scientists call 'splooting'. This is a passive strategy to shed excess heat, allowing them to conserve energy during high temperatures.
The thermoregulatory trick, while efficient, doesn’t excuse continued encounters. The same creatures that vanish into the landscape remain a nuisance—avoidance is still the safest move.
The irony of wildlife engineering meeting urban survival is thick. Still, the lesson is clear: even the cutest gestures can signal a need to stay clear.
Quelle: Boing Boing ↗