Wednesday, June 1, 2016

Evolution According to Squirrels



Here we have a shining example of convergent evolution or some such in which the wrinkles in a walnut are the perfect size for the squirrel to hold the walnut with his teeth.

(Heckler:  say there, Mister Wizard, evolution was just screwing with the squirrel because how the hell will the squirrel ever crack it?)

Well, the Great Lord of Evolutionary Biology, Charles Darwin, didn't cover in "Origin of the Species" how squirrels crack walnuts.

(Heckler:  maybe the squirrel puts a Dick Cheney Death Ray on the walnut by glaring threateningly and snarling at it!)

Maybe he hits it with a rock.  How should I know how squirrels crack walnuts!

(Heckler:  I knew I should have watched Bill Nye, the Science-y Kind of Guy, instead.  Pfft)


2 comments:

Kannafoot said...

Being one that routinely leaves walnuts out for the squirrels, I can answer that! They split then right down the seam. Note, however, that once fed walnuts, they'll no longer tolerate you leaving out peanuts or sunflower seeds. You haven't lived until you've experienced the angry glare of a squirrel given a sub standard nut.

Unknown said...

Finally the question is answered of how squirrels crack walnuts and now there will be much rejoicing as science moves forward again.