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Monday, November 23, 2009

Photo: Squirrels Use "Snake Perfume" to Fool Predators


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Video stills show a ground squirrel chewing on a rattlesnake's shed skin and then licking its body to apply the masticated mush. The act most likely persuades serpents that another snake, not a squirrel, is in the area.

A new study suggests that this behavior is part of a host of tricks the squirrels have evolved to use to avoid predation.

Video stills courtesy Barbara Clucas