“I just started laughing …”
During a bitterly cold morning in Iowa, homeowner Jess Sherwood noticed something unusual happening beneath the fresh snow covering her backyard. The smooth white surface began to ripple and shift, as though something invisible was burrowing underneath — straight out of a vintage cartoon scene.
“At first, all I could see was the snow moving, and I had no clue what it was,” Sherwood told The Dodo. “Then he suddenly popped out, and I just burst out laughing.”
Sherwood caught the unexpected moment on camera.
The mystery snow-dweller turned out to be a neighborhood squirrel, busy navigating his underground tunnel system. He appeared to be on a mission to recover acorns he’d buried earlier in the year when the ground wasn’t frozen solid.
An animal enthusiast, Sherwood was thrilled to watch the little forager at work.
“I felt like I had to share it,” she said. “It was just so entertaining — a little moment of happiness.”
Digging beneath the snow and retrieving stored food are key survival strategies for squirrels during harsh winter months. But this particular backyard offers an extra advantage.
Throughout the winter, Sherwood puts out nuts to help support the local squirrels when food is harder to come by. In return, they provide her with endless amusement.
“They’re just so fun and adorable to watch,” Sherwood said.