Southern California is currently enduring a severe heatwave, prompting an unusual response from its squirrel population: "splooting." This phenomenon, where squirrels flatten themselves on cool surfaces, has gained widespread attention on social media as residents document the animals' efforts to cope with triple-digit temperatures.
The behavior, characterized by squirrels lying belly-down with limbs splayed, is a natural method for animals to shed body heat. Wildlife experts explain that mammals often have less fur on their undersides, allowing for more efficient heat transfer to cooler surfaces like pavement, rocks, or shaded ground. This cooling strategy is not unique to squirrels; dogs, cats, rabbits, and even bears have been observed exhibiting similar behaviors during hot weather.
Social media platforms, particularly Reddit, have been flooded with images and videos of "splooting" squirrels. Posts describing the heat and the animals' peculiar posture have garnered thousands of upvotes, with many users sharing their own observations. One popular post on a Los Angeles subreddit featured a squirrel "splooting" on a fence with the caption, "It's hot, y'all."
Another image captured a squirrel resting its head and body flat on a metal railing near a street, while a separate photo showed a squirrel on a park bench in a similar prone position. Despite their sometimes startling appearance, which can resemble roadkill, these animals are generally not in distress but are actively seeking thermal relief.
The heatwave impacting Southern California has led to record-breaking temperatures, with areas like downtown Los Angeles, Long Beach, and Burbank exceeding 100 degrees Fahrenheit over the weekend. The National Weather Service has issued heat advisories across the region, warning that these oppressive conditions are expected to persist well into October. Forecasters anticipate continued triple-digit temperatures, particularly in inland communities.