Can A Squirrel Die From Falling? (How Far Before They Get Hurt?)

Squirrels are fascinating creatures, often seen gracefully leaping from tree to tree, chasing one another or foraging for food. But have you ever wondered if a squirrel can die from falling? In this article, we’ll explore this topic in-depth and examine the many factors that contribute to a squirrel’s ability to survive falls. We’ll also discuss how we can help prevent squirrel falls and what to do if we come across an injured squirrel.

Squirrel Anatomy and Adaptations

Overview of squirrel anatomy

Squirrels have several unique anatomical features that make them well-suited to their tree-dwelling lifestyle:

1. Skeletal structure: Squirrels have lightweight, flexible skeletons that help them maneuver through the treetops with ease.
2. Musculature: Their strong leg muscles allow for powerful leaps, while their forelimbs are highly dexterous, enabling them to grasp and manipulate objects.

Natural adaptations for tree-dwelling life

In addition to their skeletal and muscular adaptations, squirrels possess several other traits that help them thrive in arboreal environments:

1. Patagium: Some species of squirrels, like flying squirrels, have skin flaps called patagia, which extend from their wrists to their ankles. When they spread their limbs, these skin flaps create a surface area that enables them to glide from one tree to another.
2. Bushy tails: All squirrels have bushy tails, which they use for balance while navigating tree branches and to steer themselves during a fall.

These adaptations play a crucial role in helping squirrels withstand falls from significant heights.

Terminal Velocity and Impact Forces

Explanation of terminal velocity

Terminal velocity is the constant speed that a free-falling object eventually reaches when the downward force of gravity is equal to the upward force of air resistance. At this point, the object stops accelerating and maintains a constant speed.

Terminal velocity of squirrels

The terminal velocity of a squirrel is relatively low, estimated to be around 20 mph (32 km/h). This is due to their small size and unique adaptations, which create a high amount of air resistance when they spread their limbs during a fall.

Impact forces experienced by squirrels during a fall

The low terminal velocity of squirrels means that they experience relatively low impact forces when they hit the ground. These reduced forces significantly decrease the likelihood of severe injury or death compared to larger animals or humans.

Squirrel Behavior During a Fall

Squirrels instinctively engage in several behaviors that help protect them during a fall:

1. Spreading their limbs and patagium: By spreading their limbs wide and, in the case of flying squirrels, stretching their patagium, they increase their surface area and create air resistance, slowing their descent.
2. Use of tail for stabilization and steering: Squirrels can use their bushy tails as a stabilizing and steering mechanism during a fall, allowing them to control their trajectory and potentially land more safely.

These behaviors greatly contribute to reducing injuries that squirrels may sustain during a fall.

Factors Affecting the Severity of a Fall

Several factors can influence the severity of injuries a squirrel may sustain in a fall:

• Height of the fall: The higher the fall, the more time the squirrel has to reach terminal velocity, which can increase the impact force upon landing.
• Surface on which the squirrel lands: Soft surfaces like grass, leaves, or snow can absorb some of the impact force, while harder surfaces like concrete or asphalt can increase the likelihood of injury.
• Age and health of the squirrel: Younger, healthier squirrels are more likely to survive falls and recover from injuries than older or weaker individuals, as their bodies are more resilient and better able to heal.

Injuries and Recovery

Types of injuries sustained from falls

While squirrels are well-adapted to survive falls, they can still sustain injuries. Some common injuries include:

1. Fractures: Broken bones, particularly in the limbs or pelvis, can occur from the impact of hitting the ground.
2. Soft tissue injuries: Squirrels may also suffer from bruises, sprains, or strains as a result of the fall.

Squirrel healing and recovery process

Squirrels have a remarkable ability to heal from injuries. With proper rest and nutrition, they can recover from fractures and soft tissue injuries within a few weeks. However, it is essential to note that the healing process may vary depending on the severity of the injury and the individual squirrel’s overall health.

Instances where a fall could be fatal

While squirrels are well-adapted to survive falls, certain circumstances can still result in fatal outcomes. These include:

• Falls from extreme heights, where the impact force may be too great for the squirrel to withstand
• Falls onto sharp objects or hazards, which can cause severe internal injuries
• Squirrels with pre-existing health conditions or weakened immune systems that may struggle to recover from injuries

Prevention and Human Intervention

Ways humans can help prevent squirrel falls

We can take several measures to help prevent squirrel falls and protect these fascinating creatures:

1. Proper tree maintenance: Regularly trim tree branches near buildings, roads, and power lines to reduce the likelihood of squirrels falling onto hazardous surfaces or coming into contact with electrical wires.
2. Window and balcony safety measures: Install window screens or balcony netting to prevent squirrels from entering and falling from homes or apartments.

What to do if you find an injured squirrel

If you come across an injured squirrel, take the following steps:

1. Assess the situation: Observe the squirrel from a safe distance to determine the severity of its injuries. If it appears to be in distress or unable to move, it may require assistance.
2. Contact a wildlife rehabilitation professional: Reach out to a local wildlife rehabilitation center or veterinarian specializing in wildlife for guidance on how to handle the situation. They can advise you on the best course of action and, if necessary, help arrange for the squirrel’s safe transport and treatment.

Conclusion

Squirrels possess unique adaptations and behaviors that enable them to survive falls from considerable heights with a relatively low risk of severe injury or death. However, it is essential to be mindful of the factors that can increase the likelihood of injury and take steps to protect the urban wildlife that share our environments. By understanding squirrels’ remarkable abilities and doing our part to create a safer environment for them, we can continue to marvel at their incredible acrobatics and appreciate their presence in our lives.