Squirrels | smithsonianmag.comhttps://www.smithsonianmag.com/rss/tag/squirrels/RSS feed for SquirrelsenWed, 29 Oct 2025 18:51:29 +0000These Animals Eat Poisons and Don't Die. Some Even Become Toxic in Turnhttps://www.smithsonianmag.com/science-nature/these-animals-eat-poisons-and-dont-die-some-even-become-toxic-in-turn-180987594/Critters consuming species that harbor deadly toxins have evolved a suite of clever strategies to keep out of harm’s way. Scientists are starting to unravel how these protections work on the molecular levelWed, 29 Oct 2025 18:51:29 +0000https://www.smithsonianmag.com/science-nature/these-animals-eat-poisons-and-dont-die-some-even-become-toxic-in-turn-180987594/Rodents Conquered the World With the Help of Their Thumbnails, Study Suggestshttps://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/rodents-conquered-the-world-with-the-help-of-their-thumbnails-study-suggests-180987295/The trait might have given rodents greater manual dexterity, allowing them to access new foods, such as nutsWed, 10 Sep 2025 21:06:23 +0000https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/rodents-conquered-the-world-with-the-help-of-their-thumbnails-study-suggests-180987295/Nesting Birds Eavesdrop on Prairie Dog Alarm Calls to Keep Their Eggs Safe From Grassland Predatorshttps://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/nesting-birds-eavesdrop-on-prairie-dog-alarm-calls-to-keep-their-eggs-safe-from-grassland-predators-180986818/New research suggests long-billed curlews keep an ear out for warnings from prairie dogs in order to hide from predators and protect their nestsMon, 16 Jun 2025 18:16:16 +0000https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/nesting-birds-eavesdrop-on-prairie-dog-alarm-calls-to-keep-their-eggs-safe-from-grassland-predators-180986818/Squirrels, Not Monkeys, May Be the Animal Source of Mpox, Researchers Suggesthttps://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/squirrels-not-monkeys-may-be-the-animal-source-of-mpox-researchers-suggest-180986409/A preliminary study traces an mpox outbreak in a group of Ivory Coast monkeys to the fire-footed squirrel, indicating the rodent may be a natural reservoir for the virusFri, 18 Apr 2025 14:52:48 +0000https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/squirrels-not-monkeys-may-be-the-animal-source-of-mpox-researchers-suggest-180986409/Can a Small Town’s Protections for Albino Squirrels Inspire Other Cities to Guard Wildlife Against Cats?https://www.smithsonianmag.com/science-nature/can-a-small-towns-protections-for-albino-squirrels-inspire-other-cities-to-guard-wildlife-against-cats-180986007/Olney, Illinois, has taken steps to protect an iconic mammal from domesticated felines, setting a possible model for other places to followTue, 18 Feb 2025 13:00:00 +0000https://www.smithsonianmag.com/science-nature/can-a-small-towns-protections-for-albino-squirrels-inspire-other-cities-to-guard-wildlife-against-cats-180986007/Squirrels Are Displaying 'Widespread Carnivorous Behavior' for the First Time in a California Park, New Study Findshttps://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/squirrels-are-displaying-widespread-carnivorous-behavior-for-the-first-time-in-a-california-park-new-study-finds-180985707/The familiar rodents, known for eating nuts and seeds, have been spotted hunting and decapitating voles in a gruesome dietary adaptation. Scientists say it might signal resiliency in face of future environmental pressuresFri, 20 Dec 2024 15:15:40 +0000https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/squirrels-are-displaying-widespread-carnivorous-behavior-for-the-first-time-in-a-california-park-new-study-finds-180985707/Check Out 14 Hilarious Winners From the Nikon Comedy Wildlife Photography Awards Contesthttps://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/check-out-14-hilarious-winners-from-the-nikon-comedy-wildlife-photography-awards-contest-180985682/From an "awkward" smiling frog to embarrassing owl parents, this year's winners of the entertaining annual competition won't let you downTue, 17 Dec 2024 20:58:08 +0000https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/check-out-14-hilarious-winners-from-the-nikon-comedy-wildlife-photography-awards-contest-180985682/Why Do Trees Drop So Many Seeds One Year, and Then Hardly Any the Next?https://www.smithsonianmag.com/science-nature/why-do-trees-drop-so-many-seeds-one-year-and-then-hardly-any-the-next-180984303/A new paper suggests that plants may use slow seed years to prevent the spread of diseaseWed, 29 May 2024 12:00:00 +0000https://www.smithsonianmag.com/science-nature/why-do-trees-drop-so-many-seeds-one-year-and-then-hardly-any-the-next-180984303/Medieval Squirrels and Humans May Have Spread Leprosy Back and Forthhttps://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/medieval-squirrels-and-humans-may-have-spread-leprosy-back-and-forth-180984307/Archaeologists uncovered evidence of leprosy in a medieval red squirrel in England, and DNA evidence revealed the strain was similar to what was circulating in humans at the timeTue, 07 May 2024 16:56:54 +0000https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/medieval-squirrels-and-humans-may-have-spread-leprosy-back-and-forth-180984307/Why Are Squirrels 'Splooting' on Hot Days?https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/why-are-squirrels-splooting-on-hot-days-180982480/This adorable behavior helps the rodents cool down, especially as extreme heat sweeps the planetWed, 05 Jul 2023 17:50:16 +0000https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/why-are-squirrels-splooting-on-hot-days-180982480/