June 16, 2008
Do Squirrels, “Talk” with their Tails?
Here at JustSquirrels, we’ve long suspected that squirrels “talk” (or at least express their feelings) with their tails, as well as via sounds.
There’s a YouTube video which illustrates this rather well. All thanks to its creator,”twjaniak” courtesy of whom this video shows a previously-peaceful squirrel begin to twirl and move his tail extravagantly, after hearing what sounds like a call from another squirrel.
Have a look and see what you think (it’s very cute in any event!):
Filed under Squirrel Video, The Squirrel Feed, squirrel facts by JustSquirrels
Comments on Do Squirrels, “Talk” with their Tails? »
Abigail @ 4:45 pm
I wonder if anyone has done an actual scientific study on this tale shaking. Part of my tends to believe there may be pheremones coming from the back-side and the tail shaking waves those into the air… also being a form of communication.
What do you think?
JustSquirrels @ 5:35 pm
Abigail
I’m sorry it’s taken us so long to get back to you.
So far, we haven’t been able to find anything scientific in relation to your theory, but you may very well be right.
Squirrels definitely do scent-mark via their urine, and by “face-wiping” a secretion a lip-plate. (Our aim is to find or make a video that shows the latter in action soon).
Given that smell is a squirrel’s main sense and means of recognition, and their sense of smell is phenomenal in comparison with ours, it makes sense that if they lift their tails, it sends out a pungent message too-at least to their fellow squirrels.
Sorry not to have been more help on this yet-does anyone else out there have more info?