Squirrels can survive a fall from any height.

The physics of a squirrel's survival depends on the relationship between mass and surface area. Terminal velocity is the constant speed reached when the force of gravity equals the upward drag of air resistance. For a human, this speed is roughly 120 mph, which is usually fatal upon impact. However, a typical squirrel reaches terminal velocity at only about 23 mph due to its small size and high surface-area-to-weight ratio.Their bushy tails are crucial for survival. By spreading their limbs and tail, squirrels maximize air resistance, effectively turning their entire body into a parachute. This behavior is similar to the 'spread-eagle' position used by skydivers to slow their descent. Research suggests that a squirrel could fall from the edge of the atmosphere and still land at the same 23 mph speed, provided there is enough oxygen to breathe.The biological structure of the squirrel also plays a vital role in impact survival. Their legs are positioned beneath their bodies and act as natural shock absorbers, distributing the force of impact through flexible joints and strong muscles. This prevents the energy of the fall from concentrating in a way that would break bones or damage internal organs.While squirrels are incredibly resilient, they are not invincible. Although the fall itself may not kill them, they can still suffer from exhaustion or internal injuries if they fall repeatedly or land on extremely jagged surfaces. Nevertheless, documented cases from urban researchers show squirrels falling from skyscrapers and simply scurrying away immediately after hitting the pavement.