Stuff You Should Know Squirrels, Ahoy!
21 snips
Mar 20, 2026 Squirrels get the spotlight as the conversation explores their huge family tree, from chipmunks and prairie dogs to night-gliding flyers. It dives into secret tree-top homes, massive migration waves, city comeback stories, invasive takeovers in Europe, and the odd reason they freeze in the road.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
Chuck Once Had A Flying Squirrel In His House
- Chuck Bryant recalls briefly having a flying squirrel at home that leapt from curtains onto his shoulder.
- Josh Clark explains flying squirrels are common but often unseen because they are nocturnal gliders, not true fliers.
Wildlife Bridges Let Squirrels Reconnect Broken Forests
- Wildlife overpasses help squirrels and other animals reconnect habitats fragmented by freeways.
- Chuck Bryant says tagged squirrels now forage and build on the far side of highways, echoing an old saying about crossing from Maine to Georgia by tree.
Nut Trees Shape Squirrel Populations And Their Teeth
- Squirrel populations track mast-producing trees because nuts feed them and also wear down ever-growing incisors.
- Josh Clark says their teeth can keep growing continuously, while Chuck Bryant adds some red squirrels tap sugar maples for sweet sap.