HOUSTON — Texas is in the middle of a major heatwave, with dangerous triple-digit temps all across the state.
While we humans keep cool with air conditioning, swimming pools, fluids and shade, squirrels do it a little differently. They sploot.
Texas Parks and Wildlife posted a video Monday of a ‘splooting’ squirrel at Inks Lake State Park, which is northwest of Austin. Though posted Monday, it's not clear when the video was shot.
What is ‘splooting’ and why do squirrels do it?
‘Splooting’ is when an animal lays on its belly with all four paws on a cooler surface. It helps them lower their body temperature. They can sploot on the ground, in trees or on roofs.
Ink Lake State Park also posted video of a squirrel 'splooting,' saying they go from spot to spot to cool down, kind of like 'flipping the pillow.'
According to the Washington Post, though the term is not in some dictionaries, it’s been around for a little while, popular among dog and cat owners who noticed their four-legged friend doing it.