What is the first thing that comes to your mind when you hear the word squirrel? Tiny teeth, furry body, hairy back or the long and beautiful tail? Its big and bushy tail adds an aesthetic appeal and there are no doubts about it! Did you know that these little creatures which keep on frolicking through your backyard can do lot of amazing things using their tails? These cute and fluffy creatures are found in almost every yard and are fond of fruits and nuts. They are fast, agile, great climbers and can easily sneak n front of your eyes! Here are some interesting facts as to what squirrels do with their tails! Why it is indispensable part of their body?



As a blanket
During winters, winds and rainy reason, the tails keeps them warm and dry. It acts as a blanket and protect them from hailstorms. You can think of it like all in one raincoat and jacket for these tiny animals. Further, the tail also provides them shade during summers to keep them cool under the scorching sun! Tails are built-in all-weather blankets for them.

To send signals
Pennsylvania squirrels use their tails to communicate and send messages to their counterparts around. Whenever they find ample of food at one place they call their friends so that everyone can collect from the same pool. But if they find limited supply of their precious acorns then the signal could be a territorial warning to others, so they don’t try and search in same spot. They also warn each other by wagging their tails if there is predator around. It means ‘stay away and careful’!

Helps in balancing
The Reading squirrels scamper up branches of trees and logs and on narrow trails and boundaries. They need a centre of gravity which helps them in balancing their body while climbing up. Their tail does this job! Tails helps them in staying agile and nimble and this is the reason that they don’t think twice when they have to jump between trees.

To hide their nuts
We all know that squirrels are known for their ability to save food for bad weathers! But little we know that squirrels are termed as secretive, deceptive and even suspicious when it comes to hiding their food. If squirrels think that they are being watched while hiding their nuts, then they hide them under their tail and sit over them until they are sure that the potential thieves have gone. Squirrels can watch both front and peripheral without turning their head and thus they can sense the presence of clever rodents which might be targeting to steal their supply of food.

To save themselves from predators
Reading squirrels have an ability to puff and heat up their tail. This technique works only against animals which have infrared or heat sensors like few species of snakes. When snakes try to attack squirrels in ambush manner, they heat up their tail which makes things trickier for predator snake. This is the reason that if snakes know that they are discovered and its no longer ‘secretive’ attack, they move on to find other preys.

Visit our Reading wildlife trapping home page to learn more about us.