It’s So Hot in Iowa the Squirrels are Splooting, and Other Warm-Weather Facts

My backyard has been quite the busy destination for a certain squirrel. He's destroyed our patio furniture in the search for some Grade-A bedding. He digs up most of the potted plants in search of nuts that he never put there. Additionally, he has become quite brazen in his nature, almost as if to try to intimidate us when our paths cross. Then one day, I noticed our squirrel had "melted." At least that's how it looked.

Well, if you’ve walked through an Iowa park or watched out your window on a hot summer day. You may have witnessed what I did, asking yourself, “Did that squirrel just collapse?”

Don't worry. It’s not in distress. It’s just splooting. That’s right, the heat has cranked up so high this summer that squirrels are going full pancake mode. It's about the funniest thing I've seen from my local squirrel, and his only redeeming quality to date. He flattens himself out on our fence, tree branches, shed, or even a patch of cool dirt. Even funnier, his little legs splay out behind him like a furry frog. He was even so hot one day that he enjoyed being sprayed with the hose when I was watering the garden.

This odd-looking posture is actually a smart little trick. Squirrels don’t sweat like humans do, so they have to get creative when it comes to cooling off. By lying flat on their bellies, they can press their body against a cooler surface, releasing heat and bringing down their body temperature. It’s nature’s version of air-conditioning, sans electric bill.

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Splooting (also called pancaking or frogging) might look silly, but it’s an important survival tool for squirrels during those blazing July and August days. And with Iowa's heat waves getting more intense, these little critters are putting their chill strategy into overdrive.

But squirrels aren’t the only animals getting inventive when the temperatures soar. Iowa’s wildlife has a whole toolbox of tricks to beat the heat.

Hogs Gone to Mud/Slop

Let’s talk hogs. Iowa isn’t just famous for corn. It’s also the top pork-producing state in the country. So when it gets hot, you better believe the pigs feel it too. Unlike humans, pigs don’t sweat (yes, that old saying is a myth!). So, how do they cool off? They wallow, rather enthusiastically, in... mud, or anything that will coat their bodies. This messy habit isn’t just for fun. Mud acts like a natural sunblock and evaporative cooler. As it dries, it pulls heat away from the pig’s skin. It also helps protect against sunburn and bug bites, which is why pigs prefer a good mud spa over lying in the shade.

In commercial hog operations, where pigs may not have access to mud, farmers use misting systems or fans to keep the barns cool. Heat stress can be a real problem for pigs, so temperature management is essential for their health and comfort.

It's Too Hot to Hop!

Rabbits often spend the hottest part of the day tucked away in shady burrows or under dense shrubs. Like squirrels, they’ll also lie flat on cooler ground to lose body heat, all while keeping their ears up and alert for predators. Fun fact: rabbits can release heat through their big ears, which act like tiny radiators.

Other Animal Quick Hits

• Deer seek out the shade of the forest canopy, often bedding down during the day and waiting until dusk or dawn to graze when it’s cooler.
• Birds take dust baths or dip their feathers in birdbaths and streams. Ever seen a robin looking a little ruffled on a summer afternoon? That fluffing is helping air circulate through its feathers to cool down.
• Skunks and Groundhogs are burrow masters. This lifestyle gives them an advantage in the sweltering heat, as they ride out that midday sun with a nice nap.

Even Domestic Animals Get in on the Act

Iowa dogs are master splooters, too. Ever seen those cute internet pictures of a corgi? You’ll often find them flopped on kitchen tiles or shady patches of grass, channeling their inner squirrel. And cats will also sprawl out, in addition to spending the day sleeping, to conserve energy.

So if you see a critter belly-down and legs out this summer, don’t panic. It's just a little hot, and splooting is its best bet for comfort. Whether it's a squirrel in the park or a rabbit in the yard, splooting is Iowa's unofficial mascot move of the season. And honestly? With this heat? We might all want to give it a try.