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Commentary: How do squirrels beat summer heat?

A gray squirrel “sploots” on a shaded tree limb to cope with the summer’s heat. (Photo by Jerry Davis)

Maple trees, gray and fox squirrels discovered, have a natural system of providing solar protection and geothermal cooling.
The tree’s simple, oppositely-arranged leaves are excellent at blocking much of the radiant energy that could make a squirrel’s hairs stand on end. Crawl underneath the tree’s canopy and the air temperature can drop up to 20 degrees on sunny days.

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