Ancient ground squirrel droppings reveal surprising personality traits that could shape how animals adapt to changing environments.
Ancient squirrels preserved in permafrost
Ground squirrels that were trapped in permafrost for hundreds of thousands of years have provided valuable insights into ecosystems from the glacial era.DNA from fossilized droppings reveals diet
Researchers used DNA found in the fossilized droppings of ground squirrels to reconstruct part of their diet, uncovering some unexpected results about what these animals ate.Four personality traits identified
Studies show that golden-mantled ground squirrels can develop four distinct personality traits: boldness, aggressiveness, activity level, and sociability.Personality traits aid adaptation
These characteristics may help predict how these small squirrels—and other animals—could adapt to new or changing environments.
