How a Squirrel Swims
If you’ve ever wondered how a squirrel swims, you’re not alone. Tree squirrels are a great example of how the animal uses its tail to rudder itself. Tree squirrels are not just cute, they’re also extremely intelligent, which is probably why they’re considered among the smartest mammals on the planet. In this article, you’ll learn more about their fascinating swimming habits, as well as why they need water to survive.
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Tree squirrels
How do tree squirrels swim? They swim for many reasons, including food and survival. Their flexibility in the ankle-heel joint makes them highly adept jumpers. They can easily move through the tree canopy. Red and grey squirrels, for example, have been observed to jump from one branch to another. They also have the ability to turn their legs outward 180 degrees without moving their ankles. In short, these animals are extremely agile.
Their zigzag pattern
Squirrels are not particularly good swimmers, though they can sometimes swim up to two miles per hour. Depending on their convenience, they may even swim faster when they need to chase after animals or migrate. The gliding webbing they use to swim may make the task difficult. It is not known if this is the reason for the zigzag pattern. Here are three reasons why squirrels may swim in this pattern.
Their tails as rudders
You may not have noticed this, but squirrels actually use their tails as rudders, allowing them to balance and jump. During falls, the tail acts like a parachute, distributing weight evenly on their body and reducing the force they sustain. It is thought that this mechanism allows them to jump up to 90 feet without injuring themselves. But how do squirrels use their tails to navigate so quickly?
Their need for water
Water is an essential part of life for all animals, including squirrels. They need water to survive, and at certain times of the day, they need to drink it. While some species can live without water, aquatic animals may die without it. Although most squirrels cannot swim underwater, some of them enjoy the water and will sometimes dive under the surface of a puddle. In some cases, squirrels will migrate with the water.
Precautions to keep them out of your pool
If you have a swimming pool, you may have to take special precautions to prevent squirrels from entering it. Squirrels are very curious and may have accidentally fallen into the pool. Regardless of the reason, they need water during the summer, and a pool offers them just that. If you don’t want them to drink from your pool, consider building a pond around it. A pond can discourage the squirrels from entering your swimming pool. However, even if you do this, there’s still a chance that a squirrel may get into the pool for other reasons. For one thing, squirrels can get into the pool by accident, and the slippery walls can make getting out of it even more difficult.
They are good swimmers but not great swimmers
Most people believe that squirrels are good swimmers, but that isn’t the case. While squirrels can swim for long periods of time, they are not great swimmers. Their doggy paddle swimming style can pose difficulties for them. Squirrels do not typically swim for fun. They do not do it in warm, sunny weather. They swim when they need to. This may explain why you’ll rarely see flying squirrels in the water.
They can dog paddle
The biologist Frank Fish used to describe the dog paddle as a trot, but that’s not how canines actually swim. Dogs paddle by moving their front paw in sync with their rear paws. In fact, all dogs do not swim by trotting, so the scuba gear experiment is pointless. This study will help scientists better understand how canines move in water and how they can emulate it in the future.
How do squirrels swim?
By using their hind legs to paddle and their tail to steer squirrels are able to swim quite well.
Are all squirrels good swimmers?
No not all squirrels are good swimmers.
Some tree-dwelling squirrels have never had to swim and as a result are not very good at it.
Do any squirrel species prefer to live in water?
While most squirrels live on land there is one species of squirrel the African giant squirrel that is semi-aquatic and can be found near bodies of water.
How long can squirrels stay underwater?
Depending on the species squirrels can stay underwater for anywhere from 30 seconds to 5 minutes.
What do squirrels eat while swimming?
Squirrels are known to eat aquatic plants insects and small fish while swimming.
How do squirrels dry off after swimming?
After swimming squirrels will often bask in the sun or groom themselves in order to dry off.
Do all squirrels know how to swim?
No not all squirrels know how to swim.
In areas where there is no water such as in the deserts of Arizona there are species of squirrels that have never had to learn.
What is the best way to teach a squirrel to swim?
The best way to teach a squirrel to swim is to slowly introduce them to the water starting with a shallow area and then gradually working up to deeper water.
How long does it usually take for a squirrel to learn how to swim?
If properly introduced most squirrels will learn how to swim within a week.
Are there any dangers associated with teaching a squirrel to swim?
Yes there are some dangers associated with teaching a squirrel to swim.
If the water is too deep or the squirrel is introduced to the water too suddenly it can cause them to panic and drown.
Do all squirrels like to swim?
No not all squirrels like to swim.
Some squirrels are afraid of the water and will only enter it if they have to.
What do squirrels use their tail for while swimming?
Squirrels use their tail to help them steer while swimming.
Do any squirrels live in areas where there is no water?
Yes some squirrels live in areas where there is no water.
In these areas the squirrels have never had to learn how to swim.
How do squirrels get from one tree to another while swimming?
Squirrels use their hind legs to paddle and their tail to steer while swimming which helps them navigate through the water and get to where they need to go.
What is the best way to help a squirrel that is struggling in the water?
The best way to help a squirrel that is struggling in the water is to slowly introduce them to the water starting with a shallow area and then gradually working up to deeper water.
Jessica Watson is a PHD holder from the University of Washington. She studied behavior and interaction between squirrels and has presented her research in several wildlife conferences including TWS Annual Conference in Winnipeg.