Squirrels Start “Splooting” to Cool Off During Summer Heat

Videos and pictures of squirrels “splooting” are now all over social media. The squirrels can be seen splayed out on the ground in a variety of goofy and cute poses. However, some experts have warned that the behavior is a worrying sign.

Researchers from a variety of disciplines have explained that squirrels and other animals use splooting as a way to cope with hot weather and cool off.

Although splooting is a rather amusing sight, experts are concerned that animals will become increasingly incapable of coping with the heat if global temperatures continue to rise.

Why are squirrels splooting?

Carlos Botero, an associate professor of integrative biology at the University of Texas at Austin, explained that animals are seen splooting more often at the moment, particularly in the southern United States, because “the temperatures we’re experiencing right now are a little bit beyond the typical ability of this animal to withstand.”

Temperatures in Austin have blazed past previous records. The heat index values, or “feels-like temperature,” reached their highest ever at 118 degrees. Experts say that this is beyond what is considered normal.

Splooting is a posture some animals adopt to help cope with the heat. It typically involves lying flat on the belly with the legs outstretched, preferably on a cool surface. It is sometimes also referred to as “heat dumping.”

According to Grant Barrett, a lexicographer cited by Dictionary.com, it is believed that the term “sploot” may have originated from the word “splat,” describing the visual resemblance of the pose.

A quick search for “#sploot” or “#splooting” on various social media platforms like Instagram or Twitter will reveal a plethora of amusing images and videos of squirrels and other animals trying to keep cool.

Squirrel splooting #splooting pic.twitter.com/L9qngspE2L

— Jaclyn Allen (@jsallen9) July 3, 2023

A cause for concern?

The phenomenon is certainly amusing to observe but experts are worried that it is a foreboding sign. Animal physiologist Andrea Rummel, an incoming assistant professor of biosciences at Rice University is concerned animals will be unable to sufficiently cool down if global temperatures rise further.

“Just like with humans. Sweating works really well a lot of the time. But if it’s too humid outside and the water won’t evaporate, you can sweat all you want but it won’t evaporate off you and draw that heat away,” said Rummel.

“For every kind of thermal regulatory mechanism, there is a point at which it doesn’t work anymore, and that depends on environmental temperature,” she continued. “So it’s going to get harder and harder for squirrels to sploot effectively – for humans to sweat effectively – as temperatures rise.”