News Animals

Nephews, Cousins . . . Who Cares? Detecting kin doesn’t mean favoring them

By Susan Milius

- More than 2 years ago

New tests of the amazing nose power of Belding’s ground squirrels have solved a 25-year-old puzzle about doing dangerous favors for relatives.

KISS AND TELL. Belding’s ground squirrels may look as if they’re kissing, but those few seconds of sniffing glands around the mouth reveal family relationships. Mateo

Classic studies beginning in 1977 showed that female Belding’s ground squirrels sound alarms or defend burrows to help their mothers, sisters, or daughters.