Squirrels are capable swimmers, but they do not use a backstroke or swim on their backs. This persistent image often surfaces in conversations about wildlife, obscuring the actual, surprisingly effective technique these arboreal rodents employ when forced into an aquatic environment. Understanding the true mechanics of their movement in water and the reasons behind the myth can clarify the surprising swimming ability of these familiar creatures.
The Reality of Squirrel Locomotion in Water
Squirrels utilize a swimming technique that closely resembles the “doggy paddle” used by many land mammals. This involves a coordinated, quadrupedal motion where all four limbs propel the animal through the water. They lack anatomical specializations like webbed feet, yet their strong hind legs are effective at pushing water and moving them forward. The rodent’s fur traps air within its dense layers, aiding buoyancy and allowing the squirrel to swim with its head held above the water’s surface for continuous breathing. Their bushy tail functions as a rudder to help steer and maintain balance while swimming.
Why the “Backstroke” Myth Persists
The widespread belief that squirrels swim on their backs stems largely from a popular piece of folklore rather than natural observation. This specific notion is best known as a classic “dad joke,” which humorously suggests the squirrel swims that way to keep its stored winter food, or “nuts,” dry. The joke is so widely circulated that it has become a dominant, if inaccurate, association with the animal’s swimming style. Other visual factors might also contribute to misinterpretation when a squirrel is seen in the water. A wet squirrel’s tail may move in a way that appears disconnected from the primary propulsive movement, leading observers to misunderstand the animal’s body orientation.
When and Why Squirrels Enter the Water
A squirrel’s preference is always to stay on dry land, making swimming a survival behavior rather than a recreational activity. The most common reason a squirrel enters the water is to escape a threat, such as a dog or a coyote pursuing it on the ground. Faced with a predator, a body of water can offer a quick escape route to safety. Squirrels also enter the water to cross small obstacles like streams or ponds to reach resources on the other side. This may be motivated by the need to access new food sources, find a mate, or migrate to a more suitable territory; certain species, like the Eastern Gray Squirrel, are adept swimmers and have been documented crossing surprisingly wide rivers.