The humble squirrels can remember problem-solving techniques for long periods and can apply them to new situations, new research has found.
The scientists from University of Exeter in Britain found grey squirrels quickly remembered how to solve a problem they had not seen for almost two years.
The squirrels also quickly worked out how to use those skills in a redesigned version of the test.
“This might be why grey squirrels can survive very well in towns and cities,” said Pizza Ka Yee Chow of Exeter’s Centre for Research in Animal Behaviour.
“For example, they’re very good at getting food from bird feeders,” Chow added.