Hudson Valley Animals Have Been Doing Something Strange This Week

There is no question that it has been crazy hot over the last few days, and you may have also noticed that Hudson Valley animals, both domestic and wildlife, have been doing something that seems a bit strange.

Why Are So Many Animals Lying Flat on the Ground

At first, you might not have noticed it, but once I explain splooting, you will suddenly realize that during this past heat wave, you have seen animals splooting all week. I was thinking that some of the animals in my yard were getting sick from the heat, but I was wrong. As a matter of fact, you may realize that your pet sploots all the time, and you didn't know it had a name.

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Splooting, according to Wikipedia, is lying spread-legged in a prone posture. It is seen mostly in four-legged mammals like dogs and squirrels. They do this when they want to relax or cool down. It has also been called frogging or pancaking.

READ More: Have Fun With Horse This Summer in the Hudson Valley

National Park Service Shares Pictures of Animals Splooting

Until yesterday, I had no idea that this animal posture had a name. I have seen dogs do this all my life, and yes, I figured it was a way to cool off. When I saw the post on social media from the National Park Service, I suddenly realized that all the animals in my yard had been doing this all week.

As a matter of fact, I watched a squirrel in my yard this morning eat some bird seed that was out in the sun, and then it wandered over to the shady side of that yard and lay out flat. Once I saw the squirrel do it, I realized, hey, they have done that all week. I think I have even noticed some birds doing the same thing, even though they claim only mammals do it.

A Video About Splooting and Other Ways Animals Cool Off

Splooting makes total sense, I guess I just never thought of a squirrel or a woodchuck needing to cool off that way. But hey, this week was hot. So next week, when the temps crawl back up into the 90s, see if you can't spot splooting members of the Hudson Valley wildlife community.

Even Turtles Sploot