squirrel

 Squarrels: The Nut Plant Terminators

Have you ever wondered what happens to the nuts that squirrels bury in the ground and forget about? You might be surprised to learn that these forgotten nuts can actually grow into new nut plants, making squirrels one of the most important seed dispersers in nature. In this blog post, we will explore some fascinating facts about squirrels and their role in nut plant propagation.

Squirrels are members of the family Sciuridae, which includes over 200 species of rodents that live all over the world, except for Australia. Squirrels can be divided into three main groups: tree squirrels, ground squirrels, and flying squirrels. Tree squirrels are the most common and familiar type, often seen scampering and leaping from branch to branch in woodlands and city parks. Ground squirrels live in burrows or tunnels, where they store food and hibernate during winter. Flying squirrels are not true flyers, but rather gliders that can soar across the sky using flaps of skin between their limbs.

Squirrels are omnivorous animals, meaning they eat both plants and animals. Their diet varies depending on their habitat and season, but typically includes nuts, seeds, fruits, flowers, bark, eggs, insects, and even baby birds. Nuts are especially important for squirrels, as they provide a rich source of fat and protein that helps them survive the cold months. Squirrels have four front teeth that never stop growing, so they can gnaw on hard nuts without wearing them down.

Squirrels have a remarkable ability to find and remember where they buried their nuts. They use a combination of spatial memory, smell, and landmarks to locate their caches. However, squirrels are not perfect and sometimes forget or lose track of some of their nuts. This is where the magic happens. The forgotten nuts can germinate and sprout into new nut plants, such as oak trees, hazel bushes, or walnut trees. This way, squirrels help spread and diversify the nut plant population, creating new habitats and food sources for other animals.

Squirrels are not only nut plant terminators, but also nut plant protectors. By burying their nuts underground, they prevent them from being eaten by other animals or rotting on the surface. They also create small holes in the soil that aerate it and allow water and nutrients to penetrate deeper. Moreover, squirrels can act as pollinators for some nut plants, such as pecans and almonds, by transferring pollen from one flower to another as they feed.

Squirrels are amazing creatures that play a vital role in nut plant ecology. Next time you see a squirrel burying a nut in your backyard or park, remember that you are witnessing a natural phenomenon that has been going on for millions of years. And who knows, maybe one day you will see a new nut plant growing from that very spot.