Squirrels are agile animals. They can easily scurry up a tree or fence. Flying squirrels can even leap great distances through the air. While squirrels can perform many amazing feats their ability to swim is something that doesn’t get much publicity.
Squirrels are not great swimmers but can swim when needed. Gray, Fox and Red squirrels can swim a doggy paddle stroke using their tails as a rudder. Flying squirrels are much weaker swimmers as their gliding webbing is a hindrance in the water.
Squirrels Can Perform a Doggy Paddle
Similar to most land mammals, most squirrels can dog paddle through the water. Sometimes they use their tails to help steer. While squirrels are not efficient swimmers you can often spot them swimming across lakes and other large bodies of water.
Performing the dog paddle requires a lot of energy to travel a short distance.
