Dr. Mobusu here with important news on the front of ancient deities from literary barbarian stories. It would seem that the serpent god Set is not content to be worshipped only by James Earl Jones, but has spread his influence to the local squirrel populations of California. The Golden State is long known to be home of a bunch of fruits and nuts, so a crazed cult growing up there is not news. What is news is that the cult is perpetuated by little furry rodents. Once again, ignorant scientist misinterpret the data thinking the squirrels are masking themselves, not knowing that instead the furry ones are declaring their allegiance to the serpent god. Only when Set’s seven-headed self enters our dimension to devour the living will they know the truth. But I won’t have that happen on my watch, this world belongs to me and no snake god will be eating anyone without my written permission. Suck it, Set!
Squirrels Use Old Snake Skins To Mask Their Scent From Predators
ScienceDaily (Dec. 25, 2007) — California ground squirrels and rock squirrels chew up rattlesnake skin and smear it on their fur to mask their scent from predators, according to a new study by researchers at UC Davis.
Barbara Clucas, a graduate student in animal behavior at UC Davis, observed ground squirrels (Spermophilus beecheyi) and rock squirrels (Spermophilus variegates) applying snake scent to themselves by picking up pieces of shed snakeskin, chewing it and then licking their fur.
Adult female squirrels and juveniles apply snake scent more often than adult males, which are less vulnerable to predation by snakes, Clucas said. The scent probably helps to mask the squirrel’s own scent, especially when the animals are asleep in their burrows at night, or to persuade a snake that another snake is in the burrow.
The squirrels are not limited to the use of shed snake skins, said Donald Owings, a professor of psychology at UC Davis who is Clucas’ adviser and an author on the paper. They also pick up snake odor from soil and other surfaces on which snakes have been resting, and use that to apply scent. Other rodents have been observed using similar behavior.
Snake-scent application is one of a remarkable package of defenses that squirrels use against rattlesnakes, Owings said. In earlier work, Owings’ lab has found that squirrels can: heat up their tails to send a warning signal to rattlesnakes, which can “see” in the infrared; assess how dangerous a particular snake is, based on the sound of its rattle; and display assertive behavior against snakes to deter attacks. In addition, work by Owings’ colleague, psychology professor Richard Coss, has demonstrated that these squirrels have evolved resistance to snake venom.
“It’s a nice example of the opportunism of animals,” Owings said. “They’re turning the tables on the snake.”
The other authors on the paper, which was published Nov. 28 in the journal Animal Behavior, are Matthew Rowe, Sam Houston State University, Texas, and Patricia Arrowood at New Mexico State University. The work was funded by the National Science Foundation and the Animal Behavior Society.