Are you disgusted with witty little squirrels emptying your birdfeeders? Do you want to know exactly how far squirrels can jump horizontally? Squirrels can jump about nine to ten feet horizontally depending on factors like their age, species, etc. These bushy critters may seem harmless but sometimes they can be very annoying.
So, if you’re planning to install or renovate your birdfeeder soon, read on to know all about squirrels jumping patterns. This will help you to keep your bird feeders safe from squirrels.
Difference In Squirrels Jumping Distance:
Squirrels are not only fast climbers but also good jumpers. They can jump so fast and so far that you may confuse that with flying. The horizontal distance covered by squirrels is slightly different depending on their species.
Though there are hundreds of subspecies, Eastern Grey Squirrels, Eurasian Red Squirrels, and Flying Squirrels are the most commonly seen ones.
Eastern Grey Squirrels:
Eastern Grey Squirrels are the most commonly found squirrels in the United States. These are tree squirrels and can leap very fast. Eastern gray squirrels are one of the very few mammalian species that can dive from a tree head-first.
They turn their feet and use their paws to hold on to the tree bark. These Eastern Grey Squirrels can jump maximum eight to ten feet horizontally between tree branches or other objects. Also, they can jump up to five feet vertically.
Eurasian Red Squirrels:
Red Squirrels are Eurasian tree squirrels. On average Red Squirrels can jump about six to nine feet horizontally and about four to five feet vertically. Red squirrels are characterized by a long bushy tail that helps the squirrel to balance and prepare for long jumps from tree to tree.
Flying Squirrels:
Do you wonder if flying squirrels are real? Yes, they are. But they actually can’t fly like birds. Their flying mechanism is quite different. Flying squirrels jump in the air and use their wings to stay in flight. Flying squirrels can cover 15 feet horizontally.
They have a membrane attached from their front legs to their back feet that helps squirrels move smoothly like flying. By stretching out their legs they form a kind of parachute that lets them glide between objects. You can call this “a jump with art”.
How Squirrels Can Jump This Long?
Wanna know the secrets behind these long jump champion’s success? Squirrels have specialized bodily features that help them jump efficiently. Don’t judge them by their size, their abilities may surprise you. Factors that contribute to their long jumps:
Strong Back Legs:
Strong back legs are the most important body part for their jumping. Their back legs are powerful relative to their tiny and light bodies. Again, the wrists of their back legs are joined and super-extendable.
They can use their legs like catapults to initiate a jump. They bend at the knee which stores the energy and works like a spring.
Sharp Claws:
Squirrels have small claws with sharp nails. Acting together with their reversible back legs, these give squirrels a powerful start of a jump and secured landing.
Bushy Tails:
Bushy tails are something that comes to mind whenever we think of squirrels. Tails work as rudders to keep balance while jumping to a distance. Also, tails support the speed.
Padded Feet:
Squirrels have flexible paws padded with thick balls. This helps to keep balance after landing from a long jump. They can jump up to ten feet between objects.
Excellent Eyesight:
Studies show that squirrels have extraordinary eyesight. They have excellent, wide-angled vision and focusing power allowing them to observe distant objects clearly. Which in turn helps in perfect jumps.
Light Bodyweight:
Squirrels carry on average 400-700 gm of body weight which is really light. A lighter body helps them perform longer jumps. Also, they are never hurt if they accidentally fall, which is rare.
Energy Level:
Squirrels are always after food which is why they are super energetic. They use the energy in jumps and climbs to collect more food. And the cycle continues.
How Fast Are Squirrels?
As squirrels are prey animals, they are always on the run to save themselves from predators. Being fast and hyperactive allows them to stay safe and collect more food. Thanks to their high metabolic rate that keeps them fast and energetic.
The maximum speed a squirrel can have is 15 to 20 miles per hour. However, it may vary with the age, species, health conditions, season, environment, and other bodily factors. Apart from speedy running, squirrels climb and jump at extraordinary speed.
Do Squirrels Fall While Jumping?
Although squirrels are calculative and agile in their jumps, they miss sometimes. So, yes they may fall down from a failed jump. But they are rarely hurt in that process. Unlike other mammals, squirrels can quickly shift their body into a position where he has the least chance of being hurt.
Their small size, light body weight, thick fluffy fur and loose skin, and positioning of claws, all work together to lower the terminal velocity of falling. That is why they almost always survive a high fall.
Conclusion:
Whenever a squirrel targets a food source, it’ll figure out how to reach it in any way. They have surprising flexibility, patience, and strong determination. Also, their bodily features help them to initiate successful long jumps. As long as 20 feet sometimes, which is superhuman.
So, now that you know all about squirrels’ horizontal jumping distance and tactics, what’s stopping you from installing your birdfeeder more efficiently? But remember they’re squirrels, they’ll find a way or other to reach that birdfeeder. Best of luck!
