4. Their Tails are Swiss Army Knives

A gray squirrel’s large, bushy tail is its most defining feature, but it is far more than just a decorative appendage. It is a multipurpose tool that is critical for balance, communication, and survival.

Balance: First and foremost, the tail acts as a counterbalance. When a squirrel is sprinting along a narrow tree branch or a telephone wire, it uses its tail like a tightrope walker’s pole, making subtle adjustments to maintain its center of gravity and prevent falls. When leaping from one tree to another, it uses its tail as a rudder to help steer its body through the air.

Communication: The tail is also a primary signaling device. Squirrels communicate with each other through a series of elaborate tail flicks and twitches. A rapid, agitated flicking can signal aggression or alarm, warning other squirrels of a nearby predator like a hawk or a cat. A slower, more fluid wave might be part of a courtship display or a territorial signal. Paying attention to these tail movements can give you clues about the social dynamics unfolding in your backyard.

Warmth and Protection: In cold weather, a squirrel will wrap its bushy tail around its body like a blanket to conserve heat. The tail, rich with blood vessels, helps regulate body temperature. During hot summer days, a squirrel may lie flat on a cool branch and hold its tail overhead like a parasol to provide shade. It can also serve as a makeshift umbrella during a rain shower.

Parachute and Air Brake: If a squirrel does happen to fall from a height, it will spread its limbs and flatten its tail to increase air resistance, slowing its descent much like a parachute. While not a true glider like a flying squirrel, this action helps it control its fall and often allows it to land uninjured from heights that would be fatal to other animals of its size.