Sneaky squirrels eavesdrop on nearby birds to stay away from danger.
Bizarre on Female First
According to a new study, the super sleuth rodents - specifically the grey incarnation - are said to be able to tell the difference between different calls, which give them a good idea of when it's safe to sneak past a potential feathery predator.
Scientists in Ohio observed more than 50 wild eastern grey squirrels across public parks and residential areas, with the sound of possible danger simulated with a recording of a red-tailed hawk.
Writing in the Plos One journal, the authors of the study said: ''We knew that squirrels eavesdropped on the alarm calls of some bird species, but we were excited to find that they also eavesdrop on non-alarm sounds that indicate the birds feel relatively safe.''