Where do squirrels go during earthquakes?

Answer 1

Dear Madame or Sir....

By chance I had read your unanswered query as to the behavior of squirrels

during earthquakes only a few hours before the Great Eastern Quake of 2011.

By further chance, I happened to be on my break and sitting on a bench amidst

the green splendor of a major eastern university.when the earthquake took us

all by surprise. Keeping your question in mind, in part to calm my own sudden

uncertainties, I followed the activities of the squirrels that had until then been

frolicking in the vicinity, as they are often wont to do. My observations of their

behavior during this unusual event were that, first of all, a number of them seemed

to try gaining entrance to my bag lunch, which sat near me on the bench. A few

of the bolder ones even approached, eying me and the bags contents (a Vietnamese

hoagie!), back and forth, as if literally begging entrance, perhaps even plotting, if that

is possible. Other individuals, at further distance, seemed to find interest in running up

the trunks of the lovely old campus trees, then, when in the lowest branches, turning

to run back down again; in some cases more than one of them at a time, leaving the

impression that they were even chasing each other. Certainly a sign of strain, though

I defer to the experts in such judgments. Finally, a third class of these interesting

creatures, seemed to freeze in place, sitting on their haunches on the manicured

lawn (this being an Ivy League school, after all) and chewing on small items that

they held in place with their tiny front hands. The only overt sign of awareness of their

altered situation was a very rapid eye movement, as if studying their surroundings for

should opportunity should it arise. All in all, a very interesting few moments, I think

you will agree. I do hope these humble observations will be of help to you.

As always, your friend,

E.M.