Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Grey squirrels in Britain are fatter than usual thanks to an exceptionally warm winter, which has produced an abundance of food for them to help themselves to.
Squirrels usually get plump around this time of the year, but the warmest December on record has seen them get even chubbier.
Temperatures last December were on average 7.9 degrees, 4.1 degrees above the long-term average.
Meteorologists at the Met Office said the UK had a "virtual complete lack of frost", which offered up plenty of food for the squirrels to forage.
According to nature observer and TV presenter Iolo Williams, the mild yet rainy weather means there has been “no shortage of nuts, seeds, and fungi”.
He told WalesOnline: “With extra layers of fat and thicker winter coat this can make them look much bigger.”
Britons on Twitter have been marvelling at the plush rodents - some of which appear to have gained more than just extra fat:
Squirrels do not hibernate during the winter, but store up fat reserves and grow thicker coats to keep them warm.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments