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Squirrels Are Getting Seriously Tubby From The Warm Winter Weather

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Tom Hale

author

Tom Hale

Senior Journalist

Tom is a writer in London with a Master's degree in Journalism whose editorial work covers anything from health and the environment to technology and archaeology.

Senior Journalist

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496 Squirrels Are Getting Seriously Tubby From The Warm Winter Weather
@inventor_Artist/Twitter

The season of overindulgence has come and passed. But if you're feeling riddled with guilt, building up the courage to renew your long-forgotten gym membership, these squirrels might make you feel a little better – you're not alone.

The exceptionally mild winter in many areas of the world has led to squirrels across Europe and North America piling on the pounds. The freakishly warm weather has meant trees still have an abundant banquet of nuts and seeds, which the squirrels have been taking full advantage of.

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Squirrels don’t hibernate, so to survive the (usually) harsh winter, they gorge on food towards the end of the year to build up fat reserves. This process can lead to squirrels putting on almos a quarter of their body weight in fat.

Iolo Williams, a BBC presenter and wildlife expert, explained to Wales Online that the ample amounts of food around has led to them having extra-thick winter fat layers. However, their thicker winter coat also helps to give them this tubby effect.

The tweets below highlight some of the rather large squirrels spotted in locations across Europe and North America.

Main image credit: inventor_Artist/Twitter


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natureNature
  • tag
  • fat,

  • weather,

  • squirrel,

  • food,

  • winter,

  • obesity epidemic

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