Squirrels love almonds, and will work harder to get them

What’s Happening

Listen up: Pumpkin seeds, on the other hand, are just kind of meh.

The post Squirrels love almonds, and will work harder to get them appeared first on Popular Science. Less dominant squirrels weren’t as likely to go out of their way for a favorite food, but. (and honestly, same)

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The Details

Nature generally doesn’t reward a picky eater. Every animal aside from humans will usually opt for a nearby, easier meal instead of a tastier snack that requires additional effort to reach.

It’s understandable—when survival is at stake, favorite foods take a backseat to closer (even if less desirable) calories. That dropped, new research indicates at least one species is willing to put in the extra work if it means a chance to chow down on their preferred dish.

Why This Matters

In a study published today in the journal Animal Behaviour , researchers at the University of Exeter in the United Kingdom explain that wild gray squirrels ( Sciurus carolinensis ) will often ignore the food in front of them and climb higher to reach a favorite alternative. “This suggests that–in natural decision-making scenarios–it may sometimes be beneficial for animals to wait or work harder for a better outcome,” broke down study co-author and behavioralist Yavanna Burnham . Along with her colleagues, Burnham offered 11 gray squirrels a simple task.

This could have implications for future research in this area.

Key Takeaways

• In the more than 4,000 decision tests the team recorded, the tree rodents largely scaled higher for their favorite treat.
• What’s more, the less dominant squirrels were more likely to play it safe.
• The reason isn’t fully clear yet, but the researchers theorize that it may be a way to avoid losing food to a rival and wasting energy.

The Bottom Line

What’s more, the less dominant squirrels were more likely to play it safe. The reason isn’t fully clear yet, but the researchers theorize that it may be a way to avoid losing food to a rival and wasting energy.

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