Referring to an answer above regarding a query fron Glen regarding winter squirrel hibernation in my neck of the woods.
A little research acknowledges that tree squirrels don't hibernate though the winter here, though they do display periods of less activity, hangin out in the tree hollow they've settled into and emerge only on warm days to feed on what they can find from secreted caches or opportunistic strikes. Some species in the squirrel family may enter a geared downstate.of Torpor but this isn't considered true hibernation.
I guess I'm trying to amend a statement alluring to my earlier stated observation that the squirrels here hibernate. The reality is some of these cute tailed rodents slow down their activities to maximize time with family in their tree houses and are seldom cavorting round on the roof; if if they venture onto the roof there may enough snow to cover the sound of their pitter-patting locomotion.
Summer time is different for sure, they not only pitter patter on the roof but skitter, scatter routinely.
As n aside, I read that ground squirrels can hibernate.
