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Scientists Solve Mystery of 1968 Mass Grey Squirrel Migration Across US
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Moneycontrol•19-10-2026, 16:24
Scientists Solve Mystery of 1968 Mass Grey Squirrel Migration Across US
- •A study published in Forest Ecology and Management explored the massive 1968 movement of an estimated 20 million eastern grey squirrels across the northeastern US.
- •Researchers analyzed oak seed production and weather patterns in North Carolina from 1962 to 1973 to understand the ecological triggers behind the wildlife phenomenon.
- •The findings revealed that changing weather conditions and fluctuating acorn harvests over multiple seasons heavily impacted squirrel food availability and behavior.
- •Unusual weather in 1967, including notably low summer temperatures, preceded the 1968 migration event.
- •Food scarcity caused by poor acorn harvests often forces squirrels to travel vast distances into unfamiliar habitats, leading to large-scale visible movements.
Key Questions Answered
The 1968 grey squirrel movement was linked to changing weather conditions and fluctuations in acorn production over several growing seasons, creating food shortages that forced the animals to travel widely for resources.
An estimated 20 million eastern grey squirrels were reported to have taken part in the unusual 1968 movement across parts of the northeastern United States.
Researchers noted that the summer of 1967 recorded some of the lowest temperatures in the 1961-1990 climate reference period, offering clues about the environmental conditions preceding the squirrel migration.
