Nature: A Squirrel’s Guide to Success

Gray squirrels are the most widespread squirrel species in the UK.

Courtesy of Alina Kurbiel/Shutterstock

The squirrel family, from tiny chipmunks to big prairie dogs, is one of the most widespread on Earth. 

There are almost 300 species of squirrels that can glide through the air, outwit rattlesnakes, and survive the coldest temperatures of any mammal. So what is the secret to their success? Nature: A Squirrel’s Guide to Success airs Wednesday, March 30 at 8 p.m. on WXXI-TV.

Uncover the extraordinary abilities of these cheeky nut lovers as a filmmaker puts their problem-solving to the test on a specially designed obstacle course. Join some of the world's top squirrel scientists who are making ground breaking discoveries - from the brainy fox squirrel who can remember the location of 9,000 nuts, to the acrobatic gray squirrel whose tree-top leaps are the basis of new designs in robotics. And see the world through the eyes of an orphan red squirrel called Billy, as he grows up and develops all the skills he will need to be released back to the wild.