During hot summer weather, squirrels are sometimes seen stretched flat against the ground, a tree branch, or even a backyard deck. This unusual posture, commonly called “splooting,” helps squirrels cool down, but it can also serve other purposes, including avoiding predators, sunbathing, and resting.
What is squirrel splooting?
The informal word for a squirrel lying down flat is called “splooting”. No one is sure where the word originated, but some believe it’s a twist on the word “splat.” Splooting is defined as the act of lying flat on the belly with the legs stretched out.
Squirrels sploot for several reasons: to cool down, to stay safe, or simply to get comfortable.
Squirrels sploot to cool down
One primary reason squirrels lie flat is to cool down, especially during the summer months. By pressing their bellies against a surface that is cooler than the surrounding air, squirrels transfer excess body heat into the ground through conduction. This behavior, sometimes called heat dumping, helps lower body temperature during hot weather.
Squirrels often seek out tree branches, shaded pavement, patches of grass, and other surfaces that are cooler than the surrounding air. The fur on the squirrel’s belly is thinner compared to the thicker fur on the outer belly.
Splooting is just one way squirrels cope with heat. They also seek shade, reduce activity during the hottest parts of the day, and rest in leafy nests called dreys.
Squirrels lie flat to hide and survive
While it may seem counter-intuitive to suddenly stop in the presence of a danger, the act of lying flat is a protective mechanism for squirrels.
When startled, lying flat can help squirrels blend into their surroundings, making them less visible to predators. This flattened posture can give them a few critical moments to decide on their next move.
Lying flat can help to camouflage the squirrel
The act of lying flat hides the lighter colored belly of a squirrel. The fur color on the outer side of a squirrel evolved to help the squirrel blend in with its environment.
If you’ve ever seen a squirrel against the bark of a tree, you will see how well the fur blends with tree bark (there are some exceptions where non-native squirrels have been introduced such as the melanistic eastern gray squirrel found in many communities around the United States).
Lying flat helps to protect vital organs
Some researchers also suggest that flattening against the ground may help protect a squirrel’s vital organs during aggressive encounters with other squirrels or predators, although camouflage and reducing visibility are thought to be the primary benefits.
Lying flat protects the squirrel when it’s in an open area
Squirrels will lie flat when eating out in an open area. Squirrels remain alert for both aerial and ground predators while feeding.
When eating in an exposed location, lying flat allows squirrels to remain as inconspicuous as possible. This position makes it harder for predators, such as hawks, owls, and ground-based threats like cats or foxes, to spot them. By minimizing their profile against the ground, squirrels reduce the likelihood of attracting unwanted attention.
Squirrels like to sunbathe
When the weather is cooler, spreading out exposes the squirrel’s body to as much sun as possible. This allows the squirrel to absorb more warmth from the sun. The squirrel lies with its belly on the ground, elbows on the ground, forearms outstretched, and head lifted in a sunbathing pose.
Sunbathing by squirrels also has some practical applications. Sunbathing can help control parasites such as mites and fleas. The heat from the sun can make the environment less hospitable for these pests, helping to keep the squirrel’s fur cleaner and healthier.
Squirrels sploot to rest
Sometimes, splooting is simply a comfortable resting position. Squirrels might choose to lie flat on a tree branch or the ground to relax, stretch out, and rest their muscles.
Lying flat in a tree when resting helps prevent the squirrel from falling out of the tree. By spreading their body weight evenly and gripping the bark with their limbs, squirrels can secure themselves in place. This position is especially useful when they need to rest or sleep, as it reduces the risk of losing balance and falling from high branches.
The prone posture also provides the sleeping squirrel with some protection from predators by camouflaging itself against the bark of the tree. When a squirrel lies flat against the tree bark, it becomes less visible to predators such as hawks, owls, and larger mammals. This camouflaging effect is helped by the squirrel remaining perfectly still which allows it to blend in with the texture and color of the tree bark.
Squirrels aren’t the only animals that sploot. Rabbits, dogs, bears, marmots, and other mammals have all been observed lying flat to cool themselves or simply relax.
A range of reasons why squirrels sploot
Although splooting has become a popular internet meme, it reflects a range of practical behaviors that help squirrels regulate body temperature, avoid predators, and conserve energy. The next time you spot a squirrel stretched flat across a branch or patch of grass, it’s probably doing exactly what it needs to stay comfortable and safe.
This article was originally written on January 7, 2022 and has since been updated.
