As I mentioned already, our flight leaves before sunrise, so I’ve gotta get to sleep, but before I do, here’s a little cutie we saw on our hike up to Vaduz Castle overlooking the city yesterday. Despite the dark complexion, my sources assure me that this is a Eurasian red squirrel, like the one we just saw in Kraków last June. I read that “there are 23 recognized subspecies of the red squirrel,” and that probably explains the variation.
Okay. Now it is time for the sleeping.
Signs of Life in Estabrook Park 
I wonder what natural selection circumstances led to the exciting!!! exclamation points on his ears!!!
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Great question! I asked Dr Google, and found this website https://www.tintinthesquirrel.com/post/ear-tufts-hair which claims:
“First and foremost are they used for temperature control. In the high summer, when it get really hot, they will loose their ear tufts to better rid their bodies of heat, as their primary sweat glands are located in the ears. In the contrary, in the winter, they will become large, lush and fluffy to keep those thin ears warm.
They also serve as a visual indicator, of the squirrels overall health and virility.”
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