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There
are many types of squirrels in the world. Some live in trees, while
others live in underground burrows. The ground squirrels fast for
days at a time in winter.
Squirrels
are vegetarian animals. Squirrels that live in places with cold
winters are very active in the autumn. They gather nuts,
pinecones, and seeds and hide them in various places to eat during
the winter.
While
tree squirrels do not hibernate, ground squirrels do. Their length
of hibernation depends on where they live. In some areas they may
remain dormant as long as eight months of the year. During
hibernation, they are in a state of near suspended animation.
Their heart rate slows to only a fraction of its normal rate, and
they might breathe only once every couple of minutes. However,
they wake up for a short period every four or five days to eat
from their stored food.
When
the warm weather begins in spring, the squirrels become fully awake
and active. They hapily seek fresh provision that Allah has provided
them.
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