Well, the snow outside the kitchen window is about an inch high with a crusty top - strong enough to support the weight of a gray squirrel, and firm enough that nuts thrown out for the squirrels won't sink. Perfect conditions for an experiment....... :innocent:
So, I tossed out a bunch of raw Spanish Red peanuts, and an equal amount of roasted peanuts in a shell and roasted almonds. The results were interesting.
Seven of the squirrel regulars assembled in about a minute.
THEY ALL WENT FOR THE RAW SPANISH REDS FIRST! NOBODY TOUCHED THE OTHER NUTS UNTIL THE REDS WERE GONE!
After the Spanish Reds disappeared, the roasted peanuts disappeared and only then did the little fellers go for the almonds.
Now I'm wondering....... is this an anomaly? Is this preference universal?
Since we now have snow on the ground in every state except Hawaii, conditions are ripe for nationwide tests. :innocent:
Since this is a Scientific Issue, I request that the Minister of Science organize an experiment identical to the one I carried out. (Rick, I suggest that you enlist the assistance of at least two members in each state in order to obtain a sufficient sample size. :)) The results should be in by this coming Tuesday.
We need to determine the nut preferences of our squirrels. Based upon our preliminary findings, I will apply for Federal Stimulus Funds for a more intensive study. Perhaps a modest grant in the neighborhood of, say, $5,000,000.00 :innocent:.
Of course, members participating in the preliminary study will be offered paid positions when the Stimulus Funds arrive.
