Submitted by twitter001 t3_yhigpe in explainlikeimfive
JustcallmeKai t1_iued5fv wrote
Essentially, Squirrels use their tails to steer in the air by using the fluff as air resistance. by flattening their bodies and using their tails as a rudder, they can reduce their terminal velocity so much they can fall from any height unharmed.
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Mark Rober has a 3 part series all about squirrels and how they jump where he builds an obstacle course for them. He has a pretty good explanation of how squirrel's tails factor into their jumping begging at 16:10 in this video: https://youtu.be/hFZFjoX2cGg.
Acedmister t1_iuewnlj wrote
I freaking love his backyard competition series. Phat gus ftw.
QwerYTWasntTaken t1_iuh2l4o wrote
Phatntastic gus
luxfx t1_iufej0d wrote
Now to stretch that explanation for why they spin their tails -before- they jump, I would imagine it helps align / straighten the hairs to maximize this effect.
pseudocultist t1_iufu32h wrote
Checking to make sure the tail doesn't have anything stuck to it, isn't encumbered, isn't suddenly missing a bunch of fur.
RedTextureLab t1_iug11ex wrote
“What are you preparing? You're always preparing. Just go!”
rcm718 t1_iuib1ix wrote
Ludicrous speed, go!
twitter001 OP t1_iugjch6 wrote
Thanks for wonderful explanation!
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