Thanks to unseasonably warm winter weather, squirrels are fatter than normal this year, says evolutionary ecologist Dr. Andrew G. McAdam. Lack of snow makes it easier for them to sniff out food, and they have to expend less energy to keep warm. While they normally might be hunkered in a den this time of year, instead they just keep eating.
Other media outlets noted this trend earlier (here and here).
Anyway, this is a flimsy excuse to repost these photos from Jan. 5, 2014...
These photos in Tompkins Square Park came courtesy of EVG official Squirrel-Pizza Correspondent Goggla.
Your move, Pizza Rat (who may be a fake).
Updated 1:44 p.m.
EVG correspondent Steven is questioning the "squirrels-gaining-weight-this-winter" story... as evidenced by this photo from Tompkins Square Park from the fall showing a husky-size squirrel ...
Updated 1/18
EVG reader Mr. Baggs shared these photos from Thursday... unsure if the squirrel is simply carving the pumpkin...
... or eating it...
Fat skwirlz = more food for RTHawks. It's a win-win!
ReplyDeleteWhy do we even have to talk about their weight? So what if the squirrels have packed on a few extra pounds. Do we really need to body shame them? It's not right.
ReplyDeleteOnky TSP squirrels know how to fold!
ReplyDeleteAnonymous 4:25, Yes, the squirrels in TSP should be shamed for their gluttonous ways.
ReplyDelete