Nature Notebook
Squirrels are adept thieves of seeds, even from the so-called “squirrel proof” feeders. They also steal from each other. So how does a squirrel protect its precious food supply?
If the squirrel is a larder hoarder, like a red squirrel, it stores all its food in one place and fiercely guards it. Others, like the gray squirrel, prefer to scatter hoard. They gather and hide individual nuts in many places throughout their 2- to 3-acre home range. No guard time needed.
