Biology
How Neighbor Density Shapes Dispersal in Red Squirrels
Quick fact
A study on red squirrels in the Yukon found that juvenile squirrels born in high-density areas were more likely to disperse from their natal territory than those born in low-density areas, suggesting that crowding itself acts as a powerful cue to move.
Why this is interesting
Why do some red squirrels leave their birthplace while others stay, even when food is plentiful? The answer may lie not in the trees, but in the number of neighbors watching from the branches.