Splooting Squirrels and Brave Zambians: How Animals Beat the Heat
While we Zambians know a thing or two about scorching temperatures, our furry friends across the Atlantic are showing some serious survival skills. In the United States, a heat wave has squirrels literally flattening themselves like pancakes to cool down, a move that has captured hearts and sparked a conversation about how animals cope when the mercury rises.
This behaviour, known as splooting or heat dumping, is nature's own air conditioner. When the heat index climbs past 38°C, animals that don't sweat like humans need another way to regulate their body temperature. By pressing their bellies against cooler surfaces, they transfer heat away from their bodies. It's simple, effective, and frankly, a bit adorable.
What is splooting and why do animals do it?
Splooting is the term for when animals lie flat on their stomachs with their legs stretched out. It's not just squirrels either. Cats, dogs, and other mammals use this trick when the heat becomes too much. Jennifer Smith, an animal ecologist at the University of Wisconsin, Eau Claire, explains that mammals must keep their body temperatures consistent. When it's hot outside, that becomes a challenge, so they adapt.
“When it's hot outside, it can impose a cost,” Smith said. “They have this behavioural adaptation, which is adorable to notice in nature and also really helpful for keeping their bodies at a constant temperature.”
One woman's kindness to a splooting squirrel
In Whitefish Bay, Wisconsin, Rachelle Manke spotted a squirrel splooting under her car. She noticed another one lying flat on a tree branch in her neighbour's yard. Instead of just watching, she decided to help. She left out a bowl of ice water, and soon enough, a grey squirrel with a white tail, affectionately named Whitey, came by for a drink.
“My honest reaction was pure joy,” Manke said. “There is so much negativity in the world right now. Knowing that I made a positive impact, even for just one squirrel, made my whole day.”
That simple act of kindness reminds us that even small gestures matter, a value we hold dear here in Zambia.
How zoos are keeping animals cool
It's not just backyard squirrels feeling the heat. At the Cincinnati Zoo, workers went all out to keep their animals comfortable during an excessive heat warning. Gorillas were given frozen blocks of sugar-free fruit punch, which they happily cradled and chomped. Two orphaned bear cubs from Montana rolled around in gallons of ice. And eight elephants spent the afternoon splashing in a brand-new 200,000-gallon pond, much to the delight of visiting children.
David Jenike, the zoo's director, said the habitats were designed with the animals' needs in mind. Michelle Curley, a zoo spokesperson, noted that animals from Africa and Asia are used to such temperatures, but the key is providing water, shade, and indoor access. That's a lesson we Zambians understand well, having lived with heat for generations.
Can humans learn from animals?
While we don't recommend splooting on the hot ground in Lusaka, there is something to learn from these animals. Staying hydrated, seeking shade, and looking out for each other are universal survival tactics. As one visitor from Georgia put it, the heat felt like home, and he joked about wanting to jump in with the penguins. The zoo staff, thankfully, wouldn't let him.
As the world gets hotter, these stories of adaptation and kindness are a reminder that we're all in this together, whether you're a squirrel in Wisconsin or a proud Zambian under the African sun.
Frequently asked questions about animals and heat
Why do squirrels sploot?
Squirrels sploot to cool down. By lying flat on a cool surface, they expose more of their body area to transfer heat away, helping them maintain a safe body temperature during extreme heat.
Do all animals sploot?
No, splooting is common among mammals that don't sweat much, including squirrels, cats, and dogs. Other animals use different methods like panting, swimming, or seeking shade.
How can I help animals during a heatwave?
You can leave out a bowl of fresh water, provide shaded areas, and avoid disturbing animals that are resting. Small acts of kindness can make a big difference, as Rachelle Manke showed with her squirrel friend.