MadSci Network: General Biology
Query:

Re: How do squirrels find the nuts they have previously buried?

Date: Wed Oct 27 03:50:57 2004
Posted By: David Hubble, Consultant/Owner
Area of science: General Biology
ID: 1098183669.Gb
Message:

Hi Sue,

Squirrels use proximity to and direction from landscape clues such as 
trees to remember where they have buried their nuts. In human terms that 
means something like 'there is a nut 12 paces due south of the big oak 
tree with a broken branch' although it is instinctive rather than mapped 
in the same way as we would do it.

They are able to do this because their brains have evolved excellent 
spatial awareness so as long as the landscape clues remain, they can find 
their buried nuts. However, this is not perfect as many nuts are either 
forgotten or not needed as burial by squirrels is an important seed 
dispersal mechanism for many nut-bearing tree species. Many ancient oaks 
probably started life as an acorn buried by a squirrel or one of the other 
animals that do the same thing.

I hope that answers your question,

Dr David Hubble, UK




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